Safe "static-free" work station?

[dgmulf]

Hey,

I'm planning on building my first PC in a couple days, and I was advised by a PC building tutorial to "find a safe, static-free work station". I have a plastic folding table that I wanted to use as a work surface, but I don't know if it will be safe.

If not, can I cover the surface of the table with newspaper, or cloth, or something else to render it static free? Otherwise I think I'll have to work on my hardwood floor, and I don't imagine that will be terribly comfortable.

Also, I've got an anti static wrist band - I understand I should clip this to a metal surface in my PC case. Should the PC case be grounded by a PSU plugged into an outlet, or is this not necessary?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Caveman]

Good questions... Wondering what experienced folks do to prevent latent defects from ESD when build at home without a "professional" ESD bench...

 

[CoPhotoGuy]

Don't scuff your feet on carpet. No need for an anti static band. Touch metal of the case before anything. Shouldn't be a big deal. Some plastic can cause lots of static. Cover the table with a cloth or whatever.

Technically the PSU should be installed and plugged in for a good ground but really it's not as big of an issue as you think.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Technically the PSU should be installed and plugged in for a good ground but really it's not as big of an issue as you think.

Nope, that's a noobie mistake. Do NOT plug in the PSU, it isn't needed. You don't need to be at Earth ground potential, only that you are at the same potential as your case and your components to be installed. Thus no static discharges (Which can be harmful, if they discharge through components.)

 

[CoPhotoGuy]

Nope, that's a noobie mistake. Do NOT plug in the PSU, it isn't needed. You don't need to be at Earth ground potential, only that you are at the same potential as your case and your components to be installed. Thus no static discharges (Which can be harmful, if they discharge through components.)

Hmm...I've never heard that, but then again I'm not an Electrical Engineer.

 

[Cerb]

A table on that hardwood floor would be ideal. If your folding table is not something that makes a lot of static charge itself, that would be fine. The rest has already been said.

 

[piasabird]

I have removed the carpeting in several rooms for hardwood floors and used a wood table. The funny thing is I put a wool blanket on it to prevent scratches. A nice vinyl tablecloth might work. I have used both. I have also built in in the garage/basement on a cement floor or used a kitchen table with no carpeting underneath.

One concern when building is light. Having extra light

 

[Cerb]

Given how common black cases are, a floody flashlight is a must, IMO, as I find ambient light usually lacking, and lamps cumbersome[, not having a dedicated PC workbench, and dealing with black paint and plastic]. I generally use a G2 w/ a Malkoff dropin (some like 6Ps, some like C2s; I like G2s), or one of these. Best bang/buck, by a long shot, are L3 L10, or L10C, w/ Nichia 219s (3-mode, since it always cycles low->high).

 

[mfenn]

Nope, that's a noobie mistake. Do NOT plug in the PSU, it isn't needed. You don't need to be at Earth ground potential, only that you are at the same potential as your case and your components to be installed. Thus no static discharges (Which can be harmful, if they discharge through components.)

:thumbsup::thumbsup: Absolutely.

OP, your folding table on a hardwood floor should be totally fine. Just make sure to touch the case frequently (easy to do because you're almost always in contact with it anyway).