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Do you ground yourself when working on your computer?

E

eflat

Platinum Member
Now that I am building a ton of computers, I would like the peace of mind of knowing that I am grounded and am not going to accidentally zap any processors when I rub my feet in the floor.

Does anyone here use any device they like for doing so?
 
Do it barefooted....that's all you need.

Actually, I make it a practice to wear no clothes, when working on computers. When having sex...well, I need my sox on for that. 😀
 
The secretary where I work gets static shocked by the door handle almost everytime she touches it! I never do. If I were her, and working on electronic equipment, I might wear a ground strap. Just attach a jumper cable to a metal watchband or braclet. Otherwise, touching the case regularly would be plenty safe enough.
 
Originally posted by: CitizenDoug
Now that I am building a ton of computers, I would like the peace of mind of knowing that I am grounded and am not going to accidentally zap any processors when I rub my feet in the floor.

Does anyone here use any device they like for doing so?
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You should for your business.

Accidentally frying a computer or two of your own is one thing; risking frying comptuers for customers is another story. Yes, the chances of actually damanging anthing are slim, but is that a risk you want to take? Use the $5 strap and be safe.
 
I always wear a ground strap when working on open PCs its standard practice where I work, better to be safe than sorry.
 
There is very good evidence that static electricity is damaging to modern microelectronics.

Some components are more sensitive than others - CPUs and graphics cards are particularly sensitive because their chips are built on the latest very small processes. Hard drives are very sensitive, because of their delicate heads. These sensitive components may be affected by very low static charges (less than 500 V) which are unlikely to produce any sensation at all.

Motherboards are generally less sensitive (chipsets and IO controllers tend to be built on older lower precision machines), but nevertheless need some protection.

The problem with damage from static electricity is that it is often very subtle and leaves no externally visible signs. In many cases, it can cause a very slight degradation which is not immediately apparent - but which can knock several years off the life of a chip, or which might cause instability at high temperatures.

If you are doing this as a business, especially if you are repairing computers, then you do need to take static precautions. If you repaired a customer's machine, and 3 months later it broke down - if the customer knew that you didn't take anti-static precautions, they could very easily blame you for damaging the computer and demand that you repair it. Unless there was a visible fault with the machine (e.g. something mechanically broken or connected wrong, it will be essentially impossible for you to prove him wrong). Similarly, if you are building machines, failure to take adequate anti-static precautions could very easily end up with a number of your machines breaking down prematurely - leaving you with a poor reputation, and lots of warranty claims.

You don't need to go to extreme lengths - e.g. antistatic flooring, antistatic clothes and shoes for staff, antistatic work surfaces, and grounded wrist bands. However, at least, you should have grounded wrist bands and antistatic work surfaces (or antistatic mats).
 
Mark R,

If that was your own piece, it was very well written. If not, it was a great cut-n-paste. If it was the latter, please give proper credit. If it was yours, very good advice and well written. 😀
 
It's impossible to fly when grounded and we fly when working on boxes so that should answer the question!

Yes to address the post ESD is cumulative. Just because you can throw a video card on the carpet, pick it up and slap it in a machine and it works doesn't mean you should! It's akin to ignoring regular lubrication change intervals - the car's engine still runs but you're slowly doing more damage then if proper guidelines were followed.
 
Alluminum foil bracelet tied to your ankle with a wire that leads to the ground of an outlet will do just fine.
 
I don't but probably should.

I do make it a habit to touch the metal computer case, and touch the new component, still in antistatic packaging, to the computer case, before beginning work. I also try to maintain constant, or at least very frequent contact with the case of the computer I'm working on, and I make a conscious effort not to move my feet so I don't generate static charge while I'm inside the computer.
 
I was really confused for a second. I thought you were asking if we ground ourselves from our computers and were wondering if there's some sort of device to keep you from using the computer...
 
Originally posted by: Hacp
Alluminum foil bracelet tied to your ankle with a wire that leads to the ground of an outlet will do just fine.
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NEVER use a straight piece of wire. Always use a resistor in line. If you were to accidentally contact something at mains potential the chance of this mistake being fatal is very likely.

Of course if you're fascinated with death, I hear this is quite painless and clean unlike a 12 ga in the mouth.
 
Even though it can happen, odds are slim.
You most likely touch the metal case before any component. In my 15 years of building/repairing computers I have never zapped a component with static electricity.
 
Originally posted by: Hacp
Alluminum foil bracelet tied to your ankle with a wire that leads to the ground of an outlet will do just fine.
Click to expand...


Actually the Aluminum Foil Hat is the preferred Electro-Static Grounding Device that is used by the industry.
 
Originally posted by: aircooled

You most likely touch the metal case before any component.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I've never used any type of grounding device in my 10 years of building computers, and have never had a problem *knocks on wood*

 
Do you ground yourself when working on your computer?
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Yes. Everytime I work on my computer I do not allow myself to go out with my friends for a week.

I never understood why you're supposed to do this though.
 
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