Do you guys use an anti-static wrist strap?

[MaxDSP]

I built my system 6 months ago without any antistatic materials (besides touching the case evry once in a while) and made many upgrades without one. Now, before I learn the hard way thta I should use a strap, where can I buy one? These B&M dont have them and cant find any reputable dealers online. Any suggestions/comments?

 

[Junior77]

Compusa.

 

[Sundog]

CompUSA has them and so does Fry's.

 

[MaxDSP]

how much are they at Compusa?

 

[gogeeta13]

i just always keep my hand on the case, and i have a computer services business. If you are uncompfortable with that approach, you can buy one for $10 anywhere. I have seen them at compusa, office max, bestbuy, micro center...

 

[nicowju]

Never used an anti-static wrist strap before, and never had any problems. I always made sure I touched my hand against the case every so often.

 

[Big Lar]

I can't say I NEVER use 1, I did buy 1 about 2 years ago at Radio Shack, but I only used it once, That was when my system was in a carpeted room, I now have it in a tiled floor room, and never use it.

 

[Spankthru]

Only when I'm working on a PC thats not mine.

 

[Belegost]

I've never used one, and AFAIK I've never fried anything. Then again, I always work barefoot.

 

[frizzlefry]

i used to use a ESD wriststrap. Problem was, when I left the room to go somewhere else I would sometimes forget to reconnect. damanged a couple high power diode lasers and some sensitive driver boards. but i found that when I stopped using them and would always get in the habit of touching the case or some other grounded metal, the ESD damage never happened again. in any event it is always a good idea to touch ground before any work. I think the straps are bad because you forget and assume that they work....

 

[navylinux]

In the Navy we require our people that handle electronic gear/components to use a ESD strap. We also follow the following rules:

1. Never have the strap on while handling energized equipment.
2. Ensure the strap has been tested within the last month.
3. Replace them when they are worn out.
4. All equipment is considered ESD sensitive(Most of us know that this is not really true though).

I have used one while working on computers. But I do not use it every time. I ensure that I touch the case before I pick up components, or remove components. This ensures that I am at the same electrical potential as the case/component.

 

[kgraeme]

I bought one last winter. My office was so dry that just rolling my chair across the anti-static mat caused the radio to crackle. Everything I touched gave me a shock. I finally bought an anti-static strap and a can of wrinkle-guard.

Never used one when working inside my computer though. And never had a problem.

 

[MrThompson]

Yeah and an aluminum foil hat too! Seriously I never use one and have never seen a computer shop do so either. I just ground myself before touching anything sensitive. It helps that we have a Spanish tile floor too. No carpet induced static.

 

[Boonesmi]

ive also never used one

 

[Swanny]

I have one, I just don't use it all that often. When I have a cumstomer or someone that I want to impress I sometimes use it.:Q

 

[L3]

Seldom use one, but ESD is generally acknowledged to be cumulative in nature, in other words, a little damage each time it occurs. 'Course, most AT'ers probably build a new system frequently enough that any cumulative damage is never seen!

 

[heffe734]

Never used one myself...but i was looking into it...how much are they at fry's? But then again...if everything i've done up to now worked fine and dandy without one...why get it? But then again...it could happen...hmmmm...

 

[WarCon]

Ummmmmm, Straps are fun. I use to have to wear one all the time when handling any cmos chip, TTL wasn't as sensitive (long time ago), but I never do now. I learned to always find a part of me touching both items I am installing and to use electrostatic bags to store my components in. The bag conducts the actual discharge as you pick up a device so no damage (or so I would assume) Only time I know I damaged anything was when it was really hot in a bank I was working in and I managed to sweat into the computer as it was on under a desk where I just love working and toasted the motherboard (was checking on a noisy fan and that was the only place the cables would reach), fortunately carried a spare but who likes to lose $100 bucks due to one drop of sweat.

 

[Liquid_Lenny]

Use on 90% of the time or more. Still touch the case every so often, even with the anti-static strap.

Cyberguys has a cordless one: CORDLESS ANTI-STATIC WRIST STRAP, but it's not cheap - $12.79 each, and you have to put it on 15 minutes before you start working on you computer. I still may try this one.

 

[lotust]

haha i worked for grucci firewors and you bet i used one booooom

radio shack also has these.

 

[buffhr]

never used one and wongt untill i fry sumtin that aint guaranteed hehe

 

[bacillus]

never used or bought one but I'm constantly aware of the the risks when working inside the cases!

 

[Dundain]

I bought one from RadioShack and used it a couple of times but its more annoying than anything else. The clip on it sucks so it never stayed attached and the cord was too short. So I pitched it and dont use one. Ive never had a problem and the majority of places I work in have carpeting but I just touch the case or else my metal desk every once in a while

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

If you live in low humidity environments it is a very good idea to use a strap.

 

[MrWhiteUK]

I do but I've nearly been blinded by it many times. The clip comes off the top of the radiator and propells itself straight towards my forehead at a rate of knots with almost laser guided precision.

**THWACK** "OW! Piece 'O S*@t!!" Expensive piece of hardware falls from grip to floor below.

Safer to use wrist strap, yeah right.:frown:

I did pull my fleece jacket off over my head and then touch a mobo when I was working for some graphics company. I saw the blue spark shoot from my fingertip straight to the board. Dead mobo, whoops.