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How do I ground myself with a fully painted case?

Tags:
  • Homebuilt
  • Power Supplies
  • Computer
  • Cases
  • Power Switch
  • Systems
Last response: in Systems
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April 8, 2011 5:46:54 AM

I am building a computer for the first time, the final parts should be delivered by tomorrow. I knew about esd and all that, but everyone says to plu the psu in with the power switch off, and connect your wrist strap to the case. However, my case is fully painted, and so is the power supply. How am I supposed to ground myself?

More about : ground fully painted case

April 8, 2011 2:12:46 PM

i just kept touching the PSU (1st component installed) every so often to be sure i was grounded...no problems for me

also, make sure you don't assemble it on a fabric (table cloth...etc)...i used a wooden desk
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April 8, 2011 2:20:35 PM

My psu is painted as well...
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a b B Homebuilt system
April 8, 2011 11:21:32 PM

You can discharge on anything else that is metal and grounded in your room. I've never heard of the PSU method you've mentioned. I generally just touch the case interior (outside was plastic) every once in a while.

I only have carpet in my room (apartment), so I build on a sheet of cardboard if possible. I've assembled on carpet plenty of times without issues though.

I would also take off your socks/shoes, since the friction between fabric/fabric and rubber/fabric generates a LOT of static; your bare feet - not so much.
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April 8, 2011 11:50:33 PM

I thought the whole point was to get the electrical potential between yourself and the components to zero. If I touch say, a heatsink, on my motherboard before picking it up do the trick?
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a b B Homebuilt system
April 9, 2011 12:11:26 AM

The components are grounded since they're directly in contact with the environment (a ground), so as long as you're completely grounded (after discharging to a grounded metal object) you'll be fine.
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a b ) Power supply
April 9, 2011 3:53:34 PM

Buy an anti-static wrist wrap and connect the other end to a metal box or your case and you should be fine. If you have a pet cat that rubs against u...keep it away.
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April 9, 2011 5:11:06 PM

So if i connect the strap to another computer that is grounded, and I plug in the psu in my case, I'm fine?
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April 9, 2011 5:31:13 PM

Good news! I did some testing with a multimeter, and it showed there is an electrical path from the motherboard standoffs to the ground pin of the psu. There is also a path from the psu mounting screws to the ground pin, so that's where I'll be attaching my antistatic strap. So, for anyone who is concerned about buildin in a fully painted case, you should be fine as long as you use unpainted screws.
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a b B Homebuilt system
April 9, 2011 6:39:50 PM

As long as you're connected to something metal that is grounded, you're fine. You could even plug the antistatic strap into the ground plug in a wall outlet...
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