ESD protection when building PC at home

[Caveman]

I know there are folks who say "I just touch my case" etc... But... I'd rather not have any latent ESD handling issues come up.

I know about ESD mats and wrist straps... But... What "earth ground" is a home builder supposed to use? All the ESD solutions I've seen are just a ring lug termination at the "ground side"...

So, what in my house do I hook the ring terminal to? Why doesn't someone make a cable that plugs into the ground in a standard wall outlet on the "earth ground side", and snap onto the ESD mat on the other side?

 

[Blain]

So, what in my house do I hook the ring terminal to?
Why doesn't someone make a cable that plugs into the ground in a standard wall outlet on the "earth ground side", and snap onto the ESD mat on the other side?

* The center screw on a 3-prong grounded outlet.
* They do (more or less).

 

[VirtualLarry]

The truth is, you don't need an earth ground reference to prevent static. All a static charge is, is a potential voltage difference. So long as you equalize that difference safely, no potentially hazardous static discharge will occur. It doesn't matter if you are at earth ground.

In fact, i strongly recommend NOT plugging anything into an AC outlet while building a computer.

 

[Blain]

In fact, i strongly recommend NOT plugging anything into an AC outlet while building a computer.

So companies selling ESD mat systems that do use building wiring for a ground path should stop selling those systems?

 

[Meghan54]

I know there are folks who say "I just touch my case" etc... But... I'd rather not have any latent ESD handling issues come up.

I think you're worrying about ESD just a little too much. As you mentioned, grounding yourself to metal essentially accomplishes the same task as that wrist strap. Unless you're wearing clothing that develops static cling quickly, are assembling on your carpeting and cleaning your components by wiping them repeatedly on said carpet, you've really got not much to worry about.

I've built more than a few computers and as long as you use common sense.....handle components by their edges, not along exposed "fingers" on cards/memory, or don't lick everything before seating the parts, and build on something like a wood table or glass, you'll be quite fine.

I know you're fretting about shocking some part to death, it just doesn't happen.....unless you're going to be petting your cat/dog while you build.

Relax.

 

[Torn Mind]

Static Electricity is caused by the buildup of electrons on an object. ESD is the brief dissipation of electrons from one point to another. All anti-static mechanisms work the same way. They place a conductor on the skin so the excess electrons have a less destructive pathway to flow on. Any conductor will have a small sea of electrons that can take on some extra electrons; the Earth is just a big conductor, theoretically. They can't handle a lightning strike, but they can handle small amounts. If you want to be sure that other parts of you body don't zap anything, buy a antistatic mat for about 15-20 dollars from Newegg. You just create a floating ground instead of an earth when using a case and anti-static mat not connected to Earth.

There are devices that can connect people to Earth ground. It is in stores that sell grounding devices to those who believe there are health benefits for being always connected to earth ground. I am NOT saying you believe in that, but that there are others who do, and they buy products. The "science" behind the health benefits might be a placebo effect and unsound, but the material being a conductor is very real. It is a bit hilarious that these things go for a hundred or two hundred dollars at places like earthing.com and mercola.org. http://www.longevitywarehouse.com/Earthing-Connection-Universal-Mat-p/universalearthingmat.htm

 

[NickelPlate]

I know there are folks who say "I just touch my case" etc... But... I'd rather not have any latent ESD handling issues come up.

I know about ESD mats and wrist straps... But... What "earth ground" is a home builder supposed to use? All the ESD solutions I've seen are just a ring lug termination at the "ground side"...

So, what in my house do I hook the ring terminal to? Why doesn't someone make a cable that plugs into the ground in a standard wall outlet on the "earth ground side", and snap onto the ESD mat on the other side?

Careful handling (by the edges) and touching something metal (unpainted) before handling components is usually is sufficient. Avoid touching chips and circuitry if possible. But you want you can get a wrist ground strap at Ratshack and clip it to a metal object that is grounded for extra precaution.

 

[Puffnstuff]

I've used the wrist strap and it's a pita to wear while assembling a system especially when the case is cramped. I stopped using it and started staying off the carpet or moving around while assembling my systems and keeping my components in their protective wrap until I need them and then only handling them by the edges.

 

[VirtualLarry]

So companies selling ESD mat systems that do use building wiring for a ground path should stop selling those systems?

There may be a need for such things in industry, such as at a soldering station, or along a component assembly line.

For the home builder, they are not necessary.

Edit: Remember, it is not the presence of a static charge that is the problem. The problem is the harmful discharge of that static build-up through or along the components. Equalizing the potential voltage is all that is required to prevent that. Earth ground reference is not necessary.

 

[mfenn]

The truth is, you don't need an earth ground reference to prevent static. All a static charge is, is a potential voltage difference. So long as you equalize that difference safely, no potentially hazardous static discharge will occur. It doesn't matter if you are at earth ground.

In fact, i strongly recommend NOT plugging anything into an AC outlet while building a computer.

The correct answer. You don't need to give yourself an earth ground, you need to equalize the potential between yourself and the computer case.

Wearing a wrist strap clipped to the case (or just touching the case) is a good means to do that.