Grounding self when build machines - double check

altich88

altich88

altich88

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28 Oct 2008
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233
Hi all,

Building a new machine soon and just wanted to double check my planned precautions for avoiding damage from static when handling components.

1) Plug PSU into wall socket.
2) Turn wall socket OFF.
3) Turn PSU switch OFF.
4) Insert paper clip into ground pins of a molex connector.
5) Connect anti-static wristband to paper clip
6) Build on worktop in kitchen (hard floor)

Does this approach sound sensible?
 
I've never bothered in 15 years of building computers. Never had an issue with static. Clumsy sausage fingers? yes. Static? no.

If you want to be careful ground yourself before you start and build the motherboard up on the anti-static bag it came in.
 
I've never bothered either. I touch a radiator I sit next to before I start building and that's it. All of my components have always lasted far beyond their usability (8+ years before selling / scrapping).
 
Never bothered about grounding, but i do do the baove, touch a radiator or use the static bag or even box for the motherboard
 
Good idea not to wear a woolly jumper at all either when building one :S

Been working with PC hardware for around 20 years and while I take precautions when working with other people's stuff rarely bother with my own and never had any issues but I wouldn't laugh at taking anti-static precautions either. When working with electronics more recently (been building various audio related circuits) I have actually had a static discharge after thoughtlessly taking off my jumper and picking up a component - fortunately not a component that would have been damaged by it.
 
ExRayTed said:
I've never bothered in 15 years of building computers. Never had an issue with static. Clumsy sausage fingers? yes. Static? no.

If you want to be careful ground yourself before you start and build the motherboard up on the anti-static bag it came in.
Click to expand...

You shouldn't put it on top of an anti-static bag because the outside is actually conductive. It's better to put it on the cardboard box or a wooden table or something like that.
 
kaku said:
You shouldn't put it on top of an anti-static bag because the outside is actually conductive. It's better to put it on the cardboard box or a wooden table or something like that.
Click to expand...

There are several different types of those bags which work in different ways (some act like Faraday cages externally while others are just suppressive or ground discharges the same on both sides - so only really effective when used as a bag) - the ones motherboards come in are often no more conductive externally or internally but some are - best to just cut down 2 sides and fold it over or just not use them for that purpose just incase I guess.
 
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Yep as with everyone else I don't both. Just touch a radiator first and dont shuffle your feet back and forwards on carpet s your doing it.
 
I just touch a radiator to ground myself. Regarding anti static bags, recently I've built a few systems using high end Asus boards. A few of theese weren't even in anti static bags.
 
Only time I ever used an anti-static band was at work where it was forced. At home just touch radiator, don't wear a jumper and avoid working directly on the carpet.
 
ExRayTed said:
I've never bothered in 15 years of building computers. Never had an issue with static. Clumsy sausage fingers? yes. Static? no.

If you want to be careful ground yourself before you start and build the motherboard up on the anti-static bag it came in.
Click to expand...

Don't build it on the anti static bag, they are only anti-static on the inside, they are made to keep the charge on the outside. So unless you turn the bag inside out (and I'm not sure if that would work either), it's a bad idea.


I tend to use the cardbaord mobo box, as cardboard has low static properties, you have to be doing something very weird to get a damaging charge on the box. :P
 
Ive not used a anti static band to build before i just touch the metal outer casing on a off switched psu and thats been but im pretty shure connecting a anti static wriststrap to a paper clip wont ground you i think you are supposed to connect it to something big and metal lol.
 
I have never heard of anyone who has destroyed a pc component with static whilst building a pc. i like others have built many over the years and never even felt a slight transfer .
 
Sasahara said:
Don't build it on the anti static bag, they are only anti-static on the inside, they are made to keep the charge on the outside. So unless you turn the bag inside out (and I'm not sure if that would work either), it's a bad idea.


I tend to use the cardbaord mobo box, as cardboard has low static properties, you have to be doing something very weird to get a damaging charge on the box. :P
Click to expand...

You know what, I never knew that. Lol..here's me giving hardware advice. Still, on the plus side it does show how resilient gear is nowadays - that or I sleep with lady luck :D
 
I've personally never bothered with anti-static bags etc before whilst building PCs and have never had any issues. Just avoid woolly jumpers as others have suggested and you're likely be okay OP.
 
When I started out I bought antistatic wriststraps and clipped it to a radiator or other metal source... now I don't bother with anything other than a basic touch something large and metallic beforehand and even that I feel is almost a superstition.
 
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