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Budget Surge Protection

M

mishimaBeef

Member
Can you guys recommend me a good surge protector for my new pc build?

EDIT: *Question about how to build my computer and avoid static discharge/damaged components. See below (3rd post)
 
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Thanks, I have one more question kind of related to power/static.

How should I get set up for building my computer? I have an anti static wristband. Should I place the motherboard on it's bag and install the cpu/ram while I have the anti static band strapped to the motherboard bag?

Or, should I put the motherboard on my wooden desk and work like that (read this suggestion somewhere). But, where do I clip my anti-static band?

What do you guys think?
 
If you really wanted to be safe, keep the board on the bag on a desk in an uncarpeted room with the strap grounded to any large metal object. (like a filing cabinet or the case that everything is going to go into) When you're done with the memory/CPU/HSF, you can use the bag to carry the motherboard around.

That said, I've always just made sure to touch a large metal object before going near the gear. And even that is probably not necessary.
 
Unfortunately, all the rooms in my apartment are carpeted. Is there something I should do to combat this?

Easiest I can think of is put a sheet of plastic bags or a carboard box between the carpet and my socks.

What do you think?
 
mishimaBeef said:
Unfortunately, all the rooms in my apartment are carpeted. Is there something I should do to combat this?

Easiest I can think of is put a sheet of plastic bags or a carboard box between the carpet and my socks.

What do you think?
Click to expand...

That would make the static electricity worse.

Just ground yourself each time before touching any of the electrical components. You can do this by simply touching the metal frame of the case, while it is plugged in.
 
Martimus said:
That would make the static electricity worse.

Just ground yourself each time before touching any of the electrical components. You can do this by simply touching the metal frame of the case, while it is plugged in.
Click to expand...

Does NOT and SHOULD NOT be "plugged in". That's dangerous, and unnecessary.
 
VirtualLarry said:
Does NOT and SHOULD NOT be "plugged in". That's dangerous, and unnecessary.
Click to expand...

If it is not plugged in, then you will not have a ground. You need it plugged in to truly ground yourself.

Also, how is this dangerous? You are touching a ground, not a live wire. Static electricity might give you a mild shock, but it will not harm you in any way. I have been shocked with a 50K V static gun multiple times when I used to test electrical components, and I felt any effects other than the initial shock.

EDIT: I think I understand what you mean now. I did not mean to plug the MB or components in to the PSU, I just meant to plug the PSU into the wall, while attached to the case. This way you get a ground circuit attached to the frame of your case.
 
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mishimaBeef said:
Thanks, I have one more question kind of related to power/static.

How should I get set up for building my computer? I have an anti static wristband. Should I place the motherboard on it's bag and install the cpu/ram while I have the anti static band strapped to the motherboard bag?

Or, should I put the motherboard on my wooden desk and work like that (read this suggestion somewhere). But, where do I clip my anti-static band?

What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

I missed this post the first time. The first option would be the safest. The static bag is semi conductive, so it should guard against static electricity. Just don't supply power to the MB while on the bag, since it could short across the bag.
 
Martimus said:
If it is not plugged in, then you will not have a ground. You need it plugged in to truly ground yourself.
Click to expand...

But you don't need earth ground, all you need to do is equalize the voltage potential between the items that you are working on and yourself. "Grounding" yourself to the case, or the metalized wrapped that the mobo came in, is good enough. Once you have equalized the voltage potential, no static discharge can occur, regardless of whether or not your voltage potential is at earth ground.
 
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