Protection against static?

Robertnpmk · 23 May 2011 at 20:57

Hello,

I've build several computers and done maintenance on several laptops. the only precautions I have taken are to keep the PSU plugged in and to touch that before and during building a new PC.

Im about to build a Sandybridge system that's in my sig and wondered if I should take any more precautions as the parts are more expensive than I'm used to handling and don't want to kill them.

What surface should I use?
should I use a wrist strap?
Should I have shoes? (sounds stupid)

Thanks.

R

RJC · 23 May 2011 at 21:52

When I build I just touch a earthed pipe weather its from a radiator or a tap, I have done this for petty much all builds including my i7 build I did a few years ago.

I wore my normal lounge at home clothes and slippers.

(PS Your sig is to big, max 400 x 75

)

Baldrick1001 · 23 May 2011 at 22:04

You should have shoes...You deserve them

Robertnpmk · 23 May 2011 at 22:26

why thank you.

I will change my sig, thanks for the heads up.

Jordan97 · 23 May 2011 at 22:28

Baldrick1001 said:
You should have shoes...You deserve them

Actually cracked up at that :')

Hanuki · 23 May 2011 at 22:31

Carpet not your best friend

Just like RJC says just touch earthed pip or you wanna invest in a anti-static wrist band why not?
I generally dont wear footware in my house, nor socks so hey i just do my maintance work in the living room where we don't have carpet

I use a Anti-static wrist band out of safe precaution specially when handling my hard-drive...

oliver2601 · 23 May 2011 at 22:38

Should be fine touching a pipe as said. If you really feel uncomfortable, then invest in a static strap. You can pick them up for a quid or two.

RedvGreen · 23 May 2011 at 23:32

With components these days it is extremely unlikely that you will outright kill any piece of circuitry. What you will do with normal levels of static electricity is shorten the life of the component.

Typically, all you need to do is to touch an earthed metal computer case and you are discharged of the majority of damaging static electricity there and then.

Avoid fleeces, long pile carpets and rubbing balloons on your head

Robertnpmk · 24 May 2011 at 07:53

Thanks for every bodies input- even the sarcastic ones!