Potentially stupid question about grounding yourself?

kissenger · 18 Dec 2011 at 14:45

If you live in a non-ground floor flat, can you still ground yourself in all the usual ways (e.g. touching metal heating pipes, touching your case with the PSU plugged in)?

Scon · 18 Dec 2011 at 14:46

Zefan · 18 Dec 2011 at 14:53

It is a stupid question really

Does your plumbing not eventually reach ground just because you don't live on a ground floor flat? No!

RJC · 18 Dec 2011 at 15:22

Yes, your flat would be connected to the grounding rod or system.

Jay794 · 18 Dec 2011 at 15:31

Again? really? Ban hammer anyone?

kissenger · 18 Dec 2011 at 23:44

Jay794 said:
Again? really? Ban hammer anyone?

You need to chill out mate.

Thanks everyone else for the replies. Better safe than sorry so thought I would check.

AberystwythLAD · 19 Dec 2011 at 00:54

Yes you can.

Its not a stupid question at all. We all have to learn somewhere.

Some people on here really need to get their head out of their backside and respect others who want to learn.

Buchanan0204 · 19 Dec 2011 at 01:32

AberystwythLAD said:
Yes you can.

Its not a stupid question at all. We all have to learn somewhere.

Some people on here really need to get their head out of their backside and respect others who want to learn.

Agreed. We can all learn from each other. That's what it's all about. Asking and learning.

No such thing as a silly question.... only a silly answer (Ban hammer) being one of them

bhavv · 19 Dec 2011 at 01:48

Does grounding work through the PC case if the PSU is plugged in, but the mains is switched off?

tidusjar · 19 Dec 2011 at 02:03

bhavv said:
Does grounding work through the PC case if the PSU is plugged in, but the mains is switched off?

Yes if the plug is plugged in. It does not require any electricity to be grounded

bhavv · 19 Dec 2011 at 02:18

hmmm, people have told me before that I need to keep the mains powered on, and turn off the PSU or adaptor to have it grounded.

fornowagain · 19 Dec 2011 at 02:44

The earth is continuous regardless of the switch position on either end.

Buchanan0204 · 19 Dec 2011 at 06:55

bhavv said:
Does grounding work through the PC case if the PSU is plugged in, but the mains is switched off?

The way I used to do it.

Now I don't bother at all. I've not fried any computers in the past 3 years for certain with static. (I've touched inside and built close to 600-700).

I really think the whole static thing can be a bit over the top. Unless your wearing a wooly jumper and scratching a balloon on your head. Chances are your fine and don't need to bother.

Narj · 19 Dec 2011 at 08:50

Yeas static isn't really a problem... just like in a previous job when a few dozen line cards in a system started dying about 6 months after install.

The guy who installed it got a kicking as he'd been seen handling all the boards without an antistatic strap.

Static damage is not always immediately apparent, and if you're handling expensive components, it's not worth taking the risk. As the poster above says: "chances are...", but would you want to take a chance on a £300 GPU?

taliesyn · 19 Dec 2011 at 10:36

bhavv said:
Does grounding work through the PC case if the PSU is plugged in, but the mains is switched off?

tidusjar said:
Yes if the plug is plugged in. It does not require any electricity to be grounded

Correct. The metal body of the PSU (and thus the case) will be connected to mains earth, as long as the mains plug is in the back of the PC and it is plugged into a mains socket. The PC needn't be powered on. The mains switch doesn't have to be on either if you have a switched socket as earth wires are always unswitched.

Make sure you touch a 'bare metal' part of the case though. Quite often a PC case will be coated, so not so good for grounding.

Duke_ · 19 Dec 2011 at 10:49

The point is to be at the same voltage (equipotential) as the pc components. There's no need to earth yourself or the pc. just make good contact with the pc case.

AberystwythLAD · 19 Dec 2011 at 13:12

Just to point out, the best way to ground yourself is to wear no clothing. If you're working at home then it may be best if you just do it naked.

tidusjar · 19 Dec 2011 at 15:25

Buchanan0204 said:
The way I used to do it.

Now I don't bother at all. I've not fried any computers in the past 3 years for certain with static. (I've touched inside and built close to 600-700).

I really think the whole static thing can be a bit over the top. Unless your wearing a wooly jumper and scratching a balloon on your head. Chances are your fine and don't need to bother.

I wouldn't listen to this guy unless you may want your components failing in a few years.

ESD damage is usually long term damage rather than short term.

Duke_ said:
The point is to be at the same voltage (equipotential) as the pc components. There's no need to earth yourself or the pc. just make good contact with the pc case.

If the equipotential is different from your computer to you own, the balance is off as soon as you touch anything there will be ESD.

Buchanan0204 · 19 Dec 2011 at 18:24

tidusjar said:
I wouldn't listen to this guy unless you may want your components failing in a few years.

ESD damage is usually long term damage rather than short term.
.

Well. Like I said. Theory is one thing... actual practice is another. I've never had anything fail or been brought back to me with failed parts. Unless of course it takes more than three years for ESD damage to kick in?

Like I said... It's never caused me any concerns. It's all a bit overhyped. Obviously it's wise to take precautions but it can get silly.

For e.g. I always handle components by the edges and don't put my fingers over everything and touch gold connections. Common sense really does prevail.

jpod · 19 Dec 2011 at 21:19

No such thing as a stupid question, chances are many other folk are wondering the same but don't pluck up the courage to ask. The question made for 19 posts an interesting thread and I learnt a bit along the way, I rest my case.