What should I attach my anti-static wrist strap to?

Mig · 19 Jan 2011 at 18:03

OK, so most of you will probably tell me you have never bothered, but I thought better safe than sorry, and bought an anti-static wrist strap.

Problem is, I'm not actually sure what to clip it to. Should I also have the case plugged in and switched off or is that not necessary if I have the strap connected?

Please no suggestions of "don't bother" - I will be using the strap.

Thanks.

Troezar · 19 Jan 2011 at 18:07

Lol just read the last note so I won't say what I was going to. I used to connect mine to a radiator...

Borden · 19 Jan 2011 at 18:08

I used to use one and always connected it to the radiator. Haven't used one in years and never had an issue. I've also never read of anyone having issues due to static and I'm pretty sure the majority of people don't use a strap. Or am I wasting my time telling you this?

Deleted member 77746 · 19 Jan 2011 at 18:10

Mig said:
I will be using the strap.

oOoO kinkyyyy

SilverTongue · 19 Jan 2011 at 18:12

your wrist?

Connect it to the unpainted part of a radiator.

JW1993 · 19 Jan 2011 at 18:12

iDroid84 said:
oOoO kinkyyyy

LOL

I havn't used one in a while but I used to clip it to the unpainted radiator pipe.

Thekwango · 19 Jan 2011 at 18:15

Borden said:
I've also never read of anyone having issues due to static

this is most likely because ESD does not always fry you kit immediately. hardware damaged by ESD may simply end up with a severely shortened operating life. e.g. your ram dies a few months down the line, no-body bothers to think that it may have been static when installing that actually caused this.

just clip your wriststrap to an exposed bit of a radiator, usually the brassy coloured pipes just as they come outta the floor.

Deific · 19 Jan 2011 at 18:19

You should have the PSU switched off and disconnected from the cable that plugs to the wall.

Mig · 19 Jan 2011 at 18:56

What if I have no unpainted radiator part? I live in a new-build with stupid eco radiators that are all plastic or painted.

Thekwango · 19 Jan 2011 at 19:02

Mig said:
What if I have no unpainted radiator part? I live in a new-build with stupid eco radiators that are all plastic or painted.

a quick fix option coul be to take a stanley knife and on the back of one of the pipes where no1 will ever see, scrape some of the paint/plastic back to expose the bare radiator pipe.

or get a dummy plug like the one pictured

Mig · 19 Jan 2011 at 19:05

Thekwango said:
or get a dummy plug like the one pictured

Too late for that, I just got home from work and ready to build! :eek:

It's hard to explain but there's literally nowhere on my radiator to clip it to, due to the shape and materials encasing it. Any other suggestions? I am working on a table?

PhillyDee · 19 Jan 2011 at 19:06

Best way:

Plug PSU into wall. Which is in the case already. Keep both the plug and PSU turned off. You now have earthed unpainted metal. You can now clip onto the case.

Personally, I have the full ESD kit anyway

. But Thats all I used to do.

Thekwango · 19 Jan 2011 at 19:09

^^ this would do the job too

Mig · 19 Jan 2011 at 19:10

Even if it's a black case..? Does that count as unpainted?

shadow_boxer · 19 Jan 2011 at 19:10

PhillyDee said:
Best way:

Plug PSU into wall. Which is in the case already. Keep both the plug and PSU turned off. You now have earthed unpainted metal. You can now clip onto the case.

Personally, I have the full ESD kit anyway . But Thats all I used to do.

this

Intratech · 19 Jan 2011 at 19:12

PhillyDee said:
Best way:

Plug PSU into wall. Which is in the case already. Keep both the plug and PSU turned off. You now have earthed unpainted metal. You can now clip onto the case.

Personally, I have the full ESD kit anyway . But Thats all I used to do.

+1 for this suggestion. Anything conductive surface that's grounded would do mate.

PhillyDee · 19 Jan 2011 at 19:15

Mig said:
Even if it's a black case..? Does that count as unpainted?

Awkward bugger

.

Find an unpainted bit . . . . Or use a silver coloured screw screwed into a threaded hole on the case. The thread will remove the black paint/plating, and you can clip to the screw.

Mig · 19 Jan 2011 at 19:24

PhillyDee said:
Or use a silver coloured screw screwed into a threaded hole on the case.

Will do this.

Thanks for your help. Wish me luck! First build here...

Thekwango · 19 Jan 2011 at 19:25

Mig said:
Will do this.

Thanks for your help. Wish me luck! First build here...

get some pics up as your going

and good luck

robj20 · 19 Jan 2011 at 20:22

Never mind not wearing one for building my pc, none of us wear them at work and all we do day in day out is electronics. Never had any fails from static.