Plug in the computer to avoid static when building?

[Infohawk]

My place is dry and it's cold outside. I also don't want to buy special gear to avoid static.

I've heard here and other places that you should plug in your case/power source into a socket but have the computer turned off in order to ground the computer. Isn't this dangerous? Isn't there actual electricity hitting the computer if you have it plugged in?

What if I plugged the computer into a power strip but turned the power strip off. Is this satisfactory? Also, how does grounding the computer solve the problem with potential in your body? Is it that it gets pushed into the ground if you touch the computer with a different potential?

Which is a better to surface to build? A tiled kitchen floor? Or a wooden floor?

Thanks.

 

[Solutions]

1. I've heard here and other places that you should plug in your case/power source into a socket but have the computer turned off in order to ground the computer.
- Its true. Doing so will ground the PC's Pwr Supply (& the case). [subsitite the word "power supply" where you wrote "computer" above]

2. Isn't this dangerous? Isn't there actual electricity hitting the computer if you have it plugged in?
- Not if the power supply in the PC is switch is off. (on the back)

3. What if I plugged the computer into a power strip but turned the power strip off. Is this satisfactory?
- I think if the pwr strip was turned off then there would be no ground reaching the PC but I'm not 100% on that.

4. Also, how does grounding the computer solve the problem with potential in your body? Is it that it gets pushed into the ground if you touch the computer with a different potential?
- Hopefully . Your ground (Earth in this case) would suck up any voltages that came in contact with it. Now if you were to touch the ground and a live/hot wire (assuming your PC's pwr supply was switched to ON) then MOST of the voltage would go to the ground but some would hit you too (possibly using your body as a bridge to the ground). In that case have your loved ones grab the butter/jelly cause you are toast (hopefully, your surge protector/ circuit breaker would be tripped before you died.)

5. Which is a better to surface to build? A tiled kitchen floor? Or a wooden floor?
-Without looking up the electrical properties of each (A+ reference book isn't handy) I would guess the tile would be best... just a guess though. Spend $25 @ Radio Shack (Any PC store) and get an anti-static mat/wrist-strap.

 

[PurdueRy]

All that you have to do is touch your case before you touch any cards. if you have any net charge on you it will be distributed to the case(ground) and not to your cards. No need to plug the computer in

EDIT:True

 

[Infohawk]

Thanks for the reply. I guess I'll go out and get a static thingy. I see they have alligator clips. Do you attach the clip to the computer case?

So the power supply will have a switch? I thought the switch was for European vs. American voltage. Are there two switches? How do I know it's a power switch or not?

 

[CalvinHobbs]

just buy anti-static mat n wrist strap buddy, if you can't then wrap a wire(remove the sleeve) on your leg or wrist and the other end to your pc casing or a water tap if one is near...

 

[PurdueRy]

there are two switches. Just look for the one with the I and 0 on it. Thats the power switch the voltage conversion switch would be much harder to change. The clips go on the case. You don't need one. you can just touch your case with your hand

 

[CalvinHobbs]

for power switch 0 and 1 will be on the switch whereas for voltage selector switch you will see 110-220V .

 

[Infohawk]

So to confirm the power switch is OFF I should switch it to the 0 side? I take it 0 means off?

 

[JerryT87]

Originally posted by: rleemhui
120 V out of the wall won't kill you solitions.

Whoa!!! :Q You better belive 120vac can kill you, and real quick if you get across it the wrong way!
You need to always be carefull when messing with live power.

 

[Zepper]

I use the plugged-in grounding method for static protection - I try to keep one hand touching at all times. If you use a wrist strap, the alligator clip should be connected to a true earth ground - that is the ONLY thing that will actually drain off the static charge. If you just touch or connect the strap to a case without the case being grounded thru the PSU (by being plugged into the wall outlet, of course) all that happens is that the charge is equalized between you and the chassis - the charge isn't necessarily GONE... All you need to do is to make sure the ground is good and that the hot AC wire isn't connected. The power switch on the back of the PSU (if there is one) will accomplish that or you can plug into a power strip (NOT surge protected!), or you can plug only the ground pin into a 3-wire extension cord - hook the connection together some way (I use rubber band or twist tie) as it can easily come apart when only using the ground pin.
. Cyberguys.com has a 3-wire stub extension cord that has only a ground wire in it and it is colored GREEN so you know at a glance that it has Earth ground only. Great for any techie's tool kit. But it's easy and cheap to make your own.
. You also need to make sure your wall outlet's ground is good - plenty I've tested aren't (missing grounds, reversed polarity, etc.). One of those little 3-LED wiring testers you can get almost anywhere for $5. or less is great for making sure wall outlets are wired properly. That's the first thing I do when setting up a new system. Check ALL AC connections with the tester - extension cords, power stips, etc. can all be miswired and/or damaged. All is for nought without a solid earth ground connection.

.bh.

 

[nineball9]

Originally posted by: Solutions

3. What if I plugged the computer into a power strip but turned the power strip off. Is this satisfactory?
- I think if the pwr strip was turned off then there would be no ground reaching the PC but I'm not 100% on that.

The switch on a power strip/surge suppressor does not switch the ground wire; earth ground remains conected to whatever is plugged in to the device. You can easily verify this with a resistance and/or voltage measurement.

 

[daveshel]

Power cord plugged in, power switch in the on position, one hand touching metal at all times. Writs straps and static mats are for sissies.

 

[montag451]

You have two choices [three if you count not worrying about ESD, then hearing a tiny pop as you touch your nice new prescott].

Firstly, Unplug the computer. You can have the same Potential charge as the computer case, by connecting your anti-static wristband/mat to the case. That is, in some ways safer than having the computer plugged into the earth by switching off the socket, as anything outside the case is going to be carrying a greater charge. Therefore the POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE [this is where the ESD hits the fan - so to speak] will be greater.

Secondly, as just mentioned , plug the case into the mains, but switch off at the wall socket. Case is earthed. As long as you are touching the case every few seconds, and not wearing a fleece jumper and shuffling about on carpet with no shoes on, you should be ok.

Either way - do what suits you.
Myself,- if its a quickie open take out/replace shut - then I'll just touch the grounded/plugged in case.

If its a system build, or anything to do with the cpu [i've popped a couple], then I will use a wrist strap, and keep the case plugged in.

 

[CalvinHobbs]

Originally posted by: daveshel
Power cord plugged in, power switch in the on position, one hand touching metal at all times. Writs straps and static mats are for sissies.

the guy doesn't wanna take any risks so show him a safe way od oing things and no resort to name calling or whatever...by the way whether power switch on or off doesn't make any difference as your switch only operates on the live wire...but better be safe than sorry so just put the f....g thing in off position....by the way 50V is enough to kill!

 

[Sentinel]

I hold the chassis on my case, then unplug my psu, wait for the bios light to go off, and im grounded until i let go.

 

[Texray1]

Originally posted by: JerryT87

Originally posted by: rleemhui
120 V out of the wall won't kill you solitions.

Whoa!!! :Q You better belive 120vac can kill you, and real quick if you get across it the wrong way!
You need to always be carefull when messing with live power.

While it CAN kill you, most likely it will just scare the heck out of you and make you a bit sick feeling. I've been bit many times over the years and never been seriously hurt. The danger comes if you are in a confined area and don't have room to pull away. AC tends to repel you somewhat and DC tends to hold onto you a bit more. So keep some room open anytime you are messing with wall power and you should be ok.

 

[Azndude51]

I'm a dumbass , I built my whole computer on the floor with shaggy carpet with socks on. However, I always touched the case before I touched the components, and didn't run into any problems. btw, the computer was unplugged.

 

[PurdueRy]

yes but it all depends on current right? While I am studying EE I am not familiar with what it needs to flow through your body and what we can handle lol

 

[Texray1]

You're right about the current, but I don't think there is anything with tons of current in a PC. I may be wrong, but nothing much scares me there. I've worked on radar transmitters that scared me. Computers don't.

 

[Jeff7181]

The danger is to components that operate on only ~1.5 volts, not you... you won't feel a 5000 volt static discharge, but you can bet your processor will.