How do i ground myself to an aluminum case?

I have always had a metal pc tower. Now i am building a new comp. with an aluminum one, since it is alot lighter in weight. I have always in the past used my wrist strap to ground myself when putting the new hardware inside, and hooked the clamp at the end to the metal part of the case. Where on the aluminum case would i attach this strap? If i can't hook it to that case, then does anyone have a good suggestion of what other kind of metal thing that i could hook it to?

You're kidding. :|

Agreed, just make sure the power cord is plugged in and switched on.

Static elec (according to a electronics friend) has never been physically proven to damage chips.

It's really only annecdotal evidence that has has indicated that electrostatic discharge damages semiconductor devices.

The industry takes a better to be safe than sorry approach.

Don't forget to invest in some quality diaelectric grease there!

You can prove it. All you need is a microscope. Rub your feet across the carpet and touch a doorknob. That zap is thousands of volts, plenty of energy to fry a transistor. I've seen a static zap take out a computer motherboard. I've experienced first hand a static zap take out a discrete logical AND gate transistor.

Your electronics engineer buddy is wrong. But don't take my word for it. A simple google or wikipedia search on Electrostatic Discharge can prove it as well:
http://stshome.de/gfx/esd-schaden.gif
http://www.research.ibm.com/journal/rd/451/angel24.jpg
http://www.cdnet.edu.cn/mirror/sin [...] npic02.gif

8)

The before pictures would look like a normal integrated circuit under a microscope.

Well, it would depend on the chip and where the static discharge occurred. If it is just between two pins used for power and ground, perhaps they can handle the power. Remember, an AMD X2 processor has over 200 million transistors on a piece of silicon the size of a thumbnail. The chip companies spend millions of dollars on ESD protective equipment, materials and training every year, and they don't do that for no reason.

If you or I accidentally zap our video card or memory stick, we're out $100 or less. If an employee at Intel accidentally zaps a single 300mm wafer (fully loaded with CPU's - hundreds of CPU's) they would be out thousands, or even a million dollars. That's why they've worked very hard to automate the fabs and take the human out of the process.

Every electronics company in the world makes a big deal out of ESD protection and training. Check out this ESD Training Program from Cisco:
http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/ [...] comeP.html
Its very basic, but you get the idea.

8)

Your frind is so wrong its not funny.
I work in the aviation electronics industry. We have to take very careful precautions against static all the time, and I have seen first-hand the (obvious) effects of static when you don't.

My friend didn't actuall say that ESD did not affect chips, quite the contrary. He merely stated that ESD does not necessarily leave any physical damage but is known to shorten the life of electronic components.

The chip doesn't necessarily blow!

BTW: he does follow all the necessary safety precautions whilst working.

[/quote]
My friend didn't actuall say that ESD did not affect chips, quite the contrary. He merely stated that ESD does not necessarily leave any physical damage but is known to shorten the life of electronic components.

The chip doesn't necessarily blow!

BTW: he does follow all the necessary safety precautions whilst working.[/quote]

Ummmm....if it doesn't cause any physical damage, why would the life of the electronic components be shorter?!

what a load over verbal masturbation!!!

(sometimes I think people don't pay attention to the crapola that comes out of there mouths or typing fingers...)

That's what I was trying to say, thanks.

Point being, it is possible to zap a chip accidentally and it will still work normally.

I have just read a few papers about ESD and I'll have to put my friend right.

Thanks

A while back there was a thread in which BM stated that one could just plug a CPU into a block of styrofoam and it'd be safe... JJ posted quite a few articles, links, etc, many pics of actual ESD damaged gates. I am sure that you could do a search for that thread.

Well, after reading all the responses to my post, its safe to say i only learned a little bit out of this. But i do know one thing. I will continue to use a wrist strap and always be cautious of static electricity when building my new computer. I have the Ultra Aluminus case, which by the name is obviously mostly aluminum, and i will connect the wrist strap to the case while installing all the components. Thanks for the input.

Aluminum is still metal, and has such as it is called a "sea of electrons" allowing the free flow of electrons. It will conduct away static charges just as well.

Please send me your CV ASAP. I saw a place for you at VISY recycling, and I get a 10% finders' fee. (Hey, 3500 AUD is not to be sneezed at.....)

Spite all you like... I just want my finders' fee. So where's that CV?

You do not want to insulate the chassis of your PS from the case. Not that it matters that much either way. You would be best served by removing the cause of static charge on your body. The buildup usually gets worse with dry winter weather. If the Case is grounded to earth ground through the PS chassis then the static discharge from your hand should flow straight to ground and not damage anything. If you make a solution of 50% fabric softener (with anti-cling/anti-static) and 50% water and spray it on the carpet it will cut down on static. Careful, it can be slippery. Also they have cans of anti-static spray in the grocery store but it is a lot more expensive.

Ha Ha you are funny. You should do stand up comedy. As for stores, Giant, Safeway, Krogers, or pretty much any grocery store in the USA. Or, you can go to your store of choice eg., Walmart. The Fabric softener and anti-static spray are in the laundry soap section. Who would have figured?

I didn't know that liquid fabric softener was a secret?

Edit: Bugatti is not too far from buggery. I think that it is I that should be concerned about your proclivities, not the other way around.

Good

Agreed