anti- static wristbands

no doesnt have to be plugged in, just attach the clip thing to any peice of metal, table leg or something would work too, a question of my own now. when you say "sprinkler" do you mean the thing on the ceiling that sprays water if theres a fire? if so, how do you get up there to clip it on, and what kind of anti-staic wrist bans cord is long enough to strech from floor to ceiling? oh, and why do you have exposed water pipes in your house?

The idea is that the current will pass from your body into the case via the wrist band rather then into your devices. So long as the wrist band is connected to the metal of your case.. you're grounded to the case.

Do not attach the wrist band to any components that make direct contact with a part of your PC (save for teh case that makes contact with the motherboard but which is grounded as well).

No need for the box to be plugged.

Just touching metal will ground you.

Static builds up tru friction either with the air or carpet or whatever. You loose/gain a few electrons in the process. When you touch metal, or any conductor, it will either absorb/give you the 'right' amount of e-.

Thats is gross simplification and might not be excatly correct but its the general idea.

Note that they sale wristband that plug into the ground in the wall yo make sure you are properly grounded.

umm...I can reach my sprinkler pipes from my counter tops..was thinkin of just soldering a thin wire to one to then clip into....aren't really any other metal surfaces handy near my counter top where I do most of my work

Hopefully lightning doesn't strike your house...  

thats what the metal rooster is for.  

ahhh ya....never thought of that one....thanks for the heads up...will just stick to clipping into the case!

Hopefully lightning doesn't strike your house...  

thats what the metal rooster is for!  

déjà vu...

weird

Whatever you do unplug your computer from the wall before working on it or you could end up dead. I have never used a anti-static wrist band before. If you are careful and ground yourself on the case by touching it you should be ok.

I've never used a wrist band. I simply touch a metal surface before I start working on my PC. Since I have hardwood floors, I'm not too concerned about building up a static charge if I have to walk away to get something.