Building computer while standing on carpet, wrist strap needed?

[CrazySaint]

When I build my computer, I'm gonna have to do it while standing on carpet because this entire condo is carpeted (even the kitchen), will I need to wear an anti-static wrist strap to prevent frying anything?

 

[Need4Speed]

you should always wear an anti static strap, regardless of what you are standing on

 

[Derango]

And you really shouldn't stand on carpet...period. Even with the wrist strap.

 

[bigshooter]

well, the strap still needs to be grounded, but just fyi, I have built tons of computers on carpet, and never had a problem. I think the risk of static discharge is less than everyone thinks.

 

[crazychicken]

i agree w/ bigshooter, i must have built 50 computers on my carpet in the last year and only 1 fried (electrical storm)

you should be fine, but if you are worried, get a strap

 

[bcterps]

I will only build computers butt naked on a hardwood floor. Never had a problem with static yet! But the splinters kinda hurt, gotta be careful.

--Ben

 

[Steven the Leech]

I will only build computers butt naked on a hardwood floor. Never had a problem with static yet! But the splinters kinda hurt, gotta be careful.



Haha

 

[Zugzwang152]

Yeah, just dont go rubbing your feet on the carpet just to test out the theory. If you discharge yourself before working, you will be fine. and do so periodically if you're working on rigs for a long time.

 

[javb]

I always use a grounding wrist strap, and a anit-static pad under the pc that i'm working on. I think if it is your job to work on pc's then in my opinion you can't take the chance of not working w/a wrist strap. Because when you do zap a pc and you have to tell a paying customer that there computer is toast and they ask why. It will look very unprofessional that you didn't take the proper precautions while working on ther brand spanking new $2000 dollar machine to install some ram. I cringe when I go to the local computer shop and see a 17 yr. old kid sweating w/a screwdriver over someone's pc w/no anti-static protection what-so-ever. But hey it's your hardware. btw I have seen a zapped piece of hardware, my friend who will go nameless (Mike) was looking in his computer and touched his video card and said "What's that" and we heard a pop and saw smoke. It does happen...

 

[paralazarguer]

Your bathroom is carpeted? Wouldn't want to smell that room. Don't you have a piece of cardboard or wood or a board game you can stand on?

 

[CrazySaint]

Originally posted by: 7757524
Your bathroom is carpeted? Wouldn't want to smell that room. Don't you have a piece of cardboard or wood or a board game you can stand on?

Well, everything but the bathroom is carpeted, but I'm not putting together a computer in the bathroom I've got some flattened cardboard boxes I could stand on.

 

[hopeless879]

When i built my first computer I was really paranoid and used a wriststap. I haven't used one since then, I'm just to lazy to go find it.