Being Static Safe!

StarSolitude · 28 Oct 2009 at 12:15

My room has carpets in it. To avoid frying my components with static electricity, would it be better for me to wear shoes while I build my PC?

I mean, wear shoes and touch an unpainted metal surface (would stainless steel be ok?).

Another measure I'll take is to put the PSU in my computer case, and plug it in to the extension socket but keep the power supply turned OFF (and also off at the wall) to help ground.

PS: I don't have a wriststrap thing.

StarSolitude · 28 Oct 2009 at 12:36

Well, as I understand it only unpainted surfaces are fine. My Antec 902 is painted, inside and out! And so is my radiator in my house. =D

StarSolitude · 28 Oct 2009 at 12:54

Ok. Guess I shouldn't be so scared. All this fear mongering... makes me think my components will melt and explode as soon as I look at them.

StarSolitude · 28 Oct 2009 at 12:59

buy_my_cookies said:
i do this also and has kept me save and my components save so far

So I guess it doesn't matter if the inside of the case is painted black?

StarSolitude · 28 Oct 2009 at 13:24

focus130 said:
Once talked to someone who had built computers for years and never took any precautions and he said he had never fried anything. Spoke to a repair engineer who took all the precautions including wearing an anti-static wristband and he had fried a few components in a couple of years.

So I guess it is case of how is your luck.

I leave my power supply plugged in but turned off like others have suggested just to be on the safe side.

Do you also need to switch off at the wall socket?