question about ESD

IMHO - If you do a lot of computer work (meaning you build for at least part time paid work), you can/should buy an ESD mat. They're not that expensive when you're being paid.

Hobbyist??? A wrist strap grounded to the chassis and a little common sense is all you need. Though if you insist on dragging your feet all over the house on the shag carpet while wearing wool on a cold dry day, make sure you touch the Cat before working on your comp.

If the PSU has a hard switch on it, the PC can be plugged in while you're working. For new PSUs, it shouldn't cause a problem even with the hard switch on (at least in my experience). The "case touch" method should work even when the PC isn't grounded since you're equalizing the electrical potential between your skin and the case, which is hopefully connected to your components. I can't say so for isolated components though since their potential isn't related to the case potential.

If you're really nervous, get a pair of anti-static gloves along with an anti-static band.

We have a bunch of those in our video room because the manager is paranoid about static harming his precious mixers even though there aren't any exposed components around.

i would plug the pc in, turn it off at the wall or at the power supply. this way the whole pc should be grounded.

use the wrist strap to connect you to a bit of exposed metal on the case. this way everthing including yourself will be at ground potential.

any components coming out of an esd bag should be at ground potential because the last person to touch them will have also been grounded.

this way, when you take the new component out of the bag their should be no difference in the charge between you, the pc or the new component. (everythings at ground or at ground potential already)

the only hazzard is when you put that new component on the floor or any other surface not at ground potential. thats where the mat is usefull.

contrary to popular belief, putting an esd bag between the surface and the component will not protect it. components have to be insde the bag with it sealed to get any protection. they work on the faraday cage principle.

in all truth though, components are quite resistant to esd in my experience. the only precaution i use is not wearing nylon and not walking across the carpet when handling esd goods! i have never experienced any dead or half dead components!

if your realy paranoid bout it high humidity makes it very hard for a charge to build up. boiling some water or putting the shower on may help lol bit ott but may be worth it if your working on a really expensive piece of hardware and arent sure youve got your esd protection on point