Ground Myself: Needed?

[Windsor]

Actually, I'm pretty sure I NEED to ground myself, its just a question of how, and what to do it. I'm hearing multiple things, from using a grounding strap, to simply touching the case. The only really feasible place to build the box is in a carpeted room, so what should I do to prevent zapping my mobo and computer guts?

[Bires]

Plug one end of an unsheathed wire into the 3rd hole of a standard wall outlet. Hold the other end of the wire firmly between your teeth. :bandit:
.....


Seriously...the best thing is to use a grounding strap and ground to the 3rd hole (the ground) of a wall outlet. If that isn't feasable, just touch the metal parts of something PLUGGED IN every few minutes and don't move your feet between groudings.

[coleslaw]

Oh my, I could write an entire article about this (actually, I think I will later...stay tuned!). If you are going to take the cheap way out, you can touch the metal frame of your case or the power supply, just as long as the computer is still plugged into the wall. If the powersupply is not plugged in, your computer is just a big floating conductor and it won't do you a bit of good to try to ground yourself by touching it. There is no path to ground for the charge on your body to discharge. You can buy a wrist strap for about 5 or 6 bucks from online stores. Radio shack may carry them, but I can't verify that as I have never checked. These straps are elastic bands that have a small metal plate positioned on the interior of the band, which stays in contact with your skin. There will be a wire connected to this plate somehow, with an alligator clip or a snap at the other end. You can attach the alligator clip to the frame of your case, just so long as the powersupply is plugged in, as before. There are also wireless wrist straps which cost a little more, but relieve you of the burden of having a wire dangling from your wrist. If you are extremely concerned about static discharge, you can purchase a ESD monitor to which you can snap the wire from you wrist band. The monitor will beep when it detects that there is not a solid connection to ground.

ESD is not just a problem with zapping your parts and having them rendered useless right away. It also causes several other problems, which can degrade your components over time. I will follow up on this in much more detail at a later time, as ESD issues are a very serious and costly problem in the electronics industry.

[Windsor]

I assume I should just sit tight with building the box until I get a strap thingie?

[coleslaw]

I wouldn't say that necessarily. Just make sure that you don't assemble the box on carpet. I used to work in my PC right on the carpeted floor in my room, but after I was trained and certified in ESD handling and procedures, I instantly stopped doing that.

Put the case on a table, plug the power supply into a power outlet (but don't turn it on), and try to stay in contact with the frame of your case as much as you can. Some people recommend touching the power supply, as that is one of the most direct paths to ground. Don't wear any loose clothing that can rub together and build up static electricity, keep your arms out away from your body as much as possible, try not to move your feet, and you should be fine.

[Windsor]

Hmm...what about when I'm just putting ram on the mobo and stuff?

[LPMiller]

Originally posted by Windsor
Actually, I'm pretty sure I NEED to ground myself, its just a question of how, and what to do it. I'm hearing multiple things, from using a grounding strap, to simply touching the case. The only really feasible place to build the box is in a carpeted room, so what should I do to prevent zapping my mobo and computer guts?

You sit yourself down in the chair. Then you look yourself sternly in the eye and say, "Me, I'm rather disapointed in you. I thought I knew you better; that you knew how to behave. I'm sorry, but I have no choice but to ground myself for the next two weeks. I hope this helps me think about what I've done, and why it was so wrong."

[ChrisMG187]

Originally posted by coleslaw
Don't wear any loose clothing that can rub together and build up static electricity, keep your arms out away from your body as much as possible, try not to move your feet, and you should be fine. Are you saying he should assemble it naked?

[Leon]

Originally posted by ChrisMG187

Originally posted by coleslaw
Don't wear any loose clothing that can rub together and build up static electricity, keep your arms out away from your body as much as possible, try not to move your feet, and you should be fine. Are you saying he should assemble it naked?

:naughty:

[hapoo]

Originally posted by Bires
Plug one end of an unsheathed wire into the 3rd hole of a standard wall outlet. Hold the other end of the wire firmly between your teeth. :bandit:
.....


Seriously...the best thing is to use a grounding strap and ground to the 3rd hole (the ground) of a wall outlet. If that isn't feasable, just touch the metal parts of something PLUGGED IN every few minutes and don't move your feet between groudings.


ehh the second hole works too!! dont belive me??? try it!! :)

[hapoo]

very invigorating

[Windsor]

I'm just grounding myself via the power supply, thus saving the hassle of buying a grounding strip and all that jazz.
Thanks for the help.