help! do i need a anti-static wrist strap?

haha, yea,m just dont wear anything, i build my rigs in underwear, simply cops im to lazy to get dressed.

also, i was told that when you get electric shocked, its better to clap your hands as the kenetic energy from the clap will draw the electric out and will jump from your hands to the next best thing... doubt thats true, but worth a try.

ags
 
Things to avoid doing:
Wearing adjacent layers of synthetic clothing - wear cotton inbetween.
Pulling wool/synthetic clothing out of plastic bags.
Unrolling plastic bin liners/bags.
Unrolling plastic adhesive tape.

If you live in a dry region and/or in a house with constant heating and little airflow then these accentuate the conditions required to create a build up in static charge.

When being told to touch a radiator (or connect an anti-static wristband to one) the intent is that you are connecting yourself to earth so that any electrostatic charge that you have is discharged (and will cause a mild shock to youself).

Be aware that with modern plumbing it is possible that your heating system may use a plastic ("push-fit") conenctor somewhere in the chain between the radiator you touch and the actual earthed cold water supply. In which case you may not be earthing yourself at all...

Similarly, many advise touching a metal sink - because they *should* have an earth connector to the pipes attached to their underside. This is often not the case if the sink or piping has been replaced.
 
For the most part when doing minor upgrades, ill just leave the case plugged in, but off so still earthed. I use the mat and wristband when doing a major upgrade like motherboard refit/cpu. I like the extra layer of safety when dealing with £400 or more hardware especially when new ;)
 
Dig a small hole in your garden, shave your head then nip outside and do a headstand in the aforementioned hole about every 20 minutes.

I've built lots of systems without taking anti-static precautions and not fried any components yet. I've even built then whilst wearing those dual-layer England replica football shirts that cause minor electrical storms when you take them off at night. I think the anti-static thing is overstated and I will continue to do so until I kill an expensive component, at which point I will swear a lot. :D
 
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