Anti Static Wrist Strap

venomx

venomx

venomx

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Joined
17 Feb 2009
Posts
1,138
Got one of these coming today with my new CPU

I heard you have to keep the PC connected at the mains but turned off whilst connecting the strap to the PSU

I'm scared i'll get an electric shock doing this ? Id feel more comfortable disconnecting the PC completely from the mains
 
venomx said:
Got one of these coming today with my new CPU

I heard you have to keep the PC connected at the mains but turned off whilst connecting the strap to the PSU

I'm scared i'll get an electric shock doing this ? Id feel more comfortable disconnecting the PC completely from the mains
Click to expand...

Then it won't be grounded, which is the point of the strap.
 
Kepe the mains cable plugged in but power turned off on the PSU. Touch the case every now and again. It's really not rocket science.

Why would touching an electric radiator do anything? It's likely covered in paint so not conductive?
 
Steveocee said:
Kepe the mains cable plugged in but power turned off on the PSU. Touch the case every now and again. It's really not rocket science.

Why would touching an electric radiator do anything? It's likely covered in paint so not conductive?
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It must be fairly conductive as I had an electrician out last week who attached prongs to my radiators to check they were working ok.

OK i'll take your advice, just concerned about leaving it plugged in whilst changing my CPU ( with it turned off at the CPU ) could electrocute me?
 
venomx said:
OK i'll take your advice, just concerned about leaving it plugged in whilst changing my CPU ( with it turned off at the CPU ) could electrocute me?
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It won't. If it makes you feel better turn the plug off at the switch on the wall. Earth is a constant connection so even when a socket is off, the earth is still present.
 
Ok so keep the PC plugged in but powered off at the wall and the PSU then change it.
I'll do it on a work surface with no fabric nearby and on a floor which isn't carpet

Will report back once installed thanks guys :)
 
alternatively, remove the fuse from the plug - as mentioned above, its only the earth connection you need - and will make you feel better knowing that the live isn't connecting if your worried about shock?
 
ermm the point of the strap is to protect your equipment from static discharge.. not from an electric shock. Unless you are poking around inside the PSU you'll be safe providing it's switched off and unplugged.
 
rorton said:
alternatively, remove the fuse from the plug - as mentioned above, its only the earth connection you need - and will make you feel better knowing that the live isn't connecting if your worried about shock?
Click to expand...
NO.

SERIOUSLY, NO.

The switch in the wall socket disables live AND neutral wires. If you remove the fuse you'll have a false sense of security.

The neutral wire also needs disconnecting else you'll have a potential point of failure and therefore risk. You don't know what's happening elsewhere in the house's wiring up to the socket.

Don't ever remove a fuse for safety. Turn the wall socket off, unplug, turn your main breaker off at the CU if you like. But don't fiddle with things, when there is a legally specified protection system in place!
 
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