Grounding - Static Electricity

[Altrex]

Hi peeps,

Me and a friend are going to be building a new pc this weekend. However we are new to it all and wanted to know what the best way to ground yourself is? My worry is that touching the psu while its connected to the wall etc isn't enough? or is it? i guess its a paranoia thing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks!
James.

 

[jamesfreddie]

You should really wear a anti static strap, however many people get away without waring one, but its just luck.

I would personaly wear a anti static strap when building a new system but if its just older parts that i am not that bothered about then i don't worry.

You should connect the PSU to the wall and turn the switch off and just touch the case from time to time.

 

[Altrex]

I did think the anti static wrist strap was the way to go.

thanks for the advice! appreciate it!

 

[jamesfreddie]

I did think the anti static wrist strap was the way to go.

thanks for the advice! appreciate it!

There not expensive anyway about £2 but can save you a lot of money.

 

[jackerz123]

There not expensive anyway about £2 but can save you a lot of money.

Where is the best place to get them?

 

[Thekwango]

Where is the best place to get them?

Google will sort you out with that answer. An anti static bracelet is basically just a sheathed copper wire with a Velcro wrist strap so you don't need to be looking for anything gimmicky. Cheapest option will do you fine.

 

[AshD93]

If you don't get one in time, touch your radiator pipe (unpainted section). It should be grounded if its been done correctly.

 

[~Divine~Wind~]

If you don't get one in time, touch your radiator pipe (untainted section). It should be grounded if its been done correctly.

This is what I've always done, never used one of those wrist straps tbh and never had any items damaged by static AFAIK

 

[IC3]

Just make sure to touch the back of the case and don't walk too often on the carpet.
Everything should be fine. The back of your case will work like a anti static band.

 

[BuToNz]

With modern components you'd need a pretty big static discharge to damage anything. But for £2 a wristband is a worthwhile investment.

 

[cyber69]

Also make sure to not unbox any of your new items and then take it out of the static bag and put it down ontop of the bag.

Static bags are designed so that the inner is static free and the outer dissipates the static so when you put the item ontop of the bag you are risking zapping it.

Common mistake people make is to photograph items sitting ontop of static bags.

 

[stuie]

ive never used a wrist strap and never had an issue with a component fail in 10 years of build stripping down and generally working inside pc's. Be sensible dont wear anything woollen and dont wriggle about on a carpet loads.

Antistatic straps are all well and good but i would be very suprised if you can build a pc without touching the case in some way quite a lot

 

[cammy5477]

If you don't get one in time, touch your radiator pipe (unpainted section). It should be grounded if its been done correctly.

this

 

[SlugForAButt]

I spent 15 years handling PCBs at work (minus anti static strap) and never frazzled a board due to static.
I wear a cheap £2 strap at home handling my own PC bits 'n bobs.

Go figure.