Standing on carpet while building computer any problem?

[bgc99]

I'm wondering if it would be any problem to work on the inside of my computer while standing on the carpet? I always use a grounding wrist strap to connect me with the case.

My regular work table is on tile but it is being used for something else and I need to switch out a couple of hard drives.

Thanks,
BGC

 

[airhendrix13]

It's best to avoid working on carpet, but I've done it before without anything horrible happening. Just remember, even with the wrist strap, to touch the case just to discharge yourself, otherwise you should be just fine.

airhendrix13

 

[ForumMaster]

yeah basically what airhendrix13 said is right. it's alright, just make sure to touch the metal part of the case to discharge any static electricty. try to avoid it though.

 

[WildHorse]

If you have an old rubber bath mat or old rubber welcome mat, put it there to stand on.
Or even rubber-soled sandals or tennis shoes would be better than barefoot on carpet.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: scott
If you have an old rubber bath mat or old rubber welcome mat, put it there to stand on.

If he has already built up charge in his body by walking over the carpet to get to the rubber mat, it is not going to do any good.

He said he used a wrist strap to connect himself to the case. That is all he needs.

If you don't have a wrist strap, touching the case frequently, and making it a habit, will do the job also.

 

[Zepper]

Yeah, if your case is grounded properly (that means you DON'T unplug the power cord), and you touch it frequently (I try to keep one hand on the chassis at all times) to drain off any static charges, you should be OK. A wrist strap is good too if you are sure it is working properly.

.bh.

 

[montag451]

Main thing I found, was not to wear my favourite fleece jumper when tinkering with the insides of a computer.
That is bad.

 

[erwin1978]

Do not wear rubber soles as that will only exacerbate your static problem. Going bare feet is better.

 

[Schadenfroh]

I have wore cotton socks upon a carpeted floor and I have assembled / repaired multiple computers without ever losing one to static. Although I do make a habit of touching the top of my tripp lite command console.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Yeah, if your case is grounded properly (that means you DON'T unplug the power cord), and you touch it frequently (I try to keep one hand on the chassis at all times) to drain off any static charges, you should be OK. A wrist strap is good too if you are sure it is working properly.

.bh.

this is a suggestion i always find in the gray area. even when off there is power still going to certain parts of the board, so if the psu doesn't have a switch, is it still suggested to unplug it?

or is it better to unplug it w/out a switch? does the switch shutdown the grounding effects of a psu?

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: bob4432

Originally posted by: Zepper
Yeah, if your case is grounded properly (that means you DON'T unplug the power cord), and you touch it frequently (I try to keep one hand on the chassis at all times) to drain off any static charges, you should be OK. A wrist strap is good too if you are sure it is working properly.

.bh.

this is a suggestion i always find in the gray area. even when off there is power still going to certain parts of the board, so if the psu doesn't have a switch, is it still suggested to unplug it?

or is it better to unplug it w/out a switch? does the switch shutdown the grounding effects of a psu?

There is no point in keeping the PSU plugged in.
There is a misconception that your PC is protected against ESD if it is grounded. Or, what you are working on is protected if you are grounded.

Ask anyone who tells you that how they think engineers repair an electronics equipment on a flying airplane or on the space station, obviously not grounded since they are far from it.

 

[Azimuth40]

It is not grounding that is important, it is difference of electrical potential that is important. If you have a zero difference of potential then current does not flow. If your body has 600 volts on it which is about the norm when wearing clothes and your case is sitting at 600 volts then no harm is done. If one is higher than the other then you will have electron flow because those little buggers want a equal number all over. Fortunately for us that does not happen or our own bodies would probably malfunction. This principal is used to service high voltage lines via helicopter where the chopper is raised to the potential of the line allowing a repairman to reach out and work on it.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Yeah, if your case is grounded properly (that means you DON'T unplug the power cord), and you touch it frequently (I try to keep one hand on the chassis at all times) to drain off any static charges, you should be OK. A wrist strap is good too if you are sure it is working properly.

.bh.

You're wrong about the power cord. I used to think that too, until I did some more reading on the subject, and had a nasty experience with an AT power supply that I left connected to the wall while I worked on the PC.

You don't need the power cord connected at all, the issue is the relative voltage potential between the person, and the chassis of the PC. A wrist-strap or frequent contact equalizes that potential, eliminating the risk of static discharge. Whether or not the potential of that chassis is at the same as ground is irrelevant. Really.

 

[WildHorse]

Originally posted by: Navid

Originally posted by: scott
If you have an old rubber bath mat or old rubber welcome mat, put it there to stand on.

If he has already built up charge in his body by walking over the carpet to get to the rubber mat, it is not going to do any good.

He said he used a wrist strap to connect himself to the case. That is all he needs.

If you don't have a wrist strap, touching the case frequently, and making it a habit, will do the job also.

My suggestion was already based upon the fact that he's already using a grounding strap on his wrist.

Standing on a dielectric surface, if it's convenient to put one there such as by tossing down an old rubber mat, helps prevent static buildup as feet shuffle on carpet. It's no big deal, but I suggested that it helps if he's got something like that lying around available to use. It does help, especially if he's handling chips on that work occasion.

 

[bgc99]

Thanks for the replies. I personally never leave my system plugged in while working on it. I use the wrist strap, and I touch the case just to be sure before sticking my hands inside. I also take what ever part I'm installing that is inside an anti-static bag and lay it on some metal portion of the case before I remove it from the bag. It is so humid where I live that I don't think I'll have any static problems.

Thanks,
BGC

 

[RebateMonger]

Attaching yourself to the case and going barefoot are the best protection when standing on carpet.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
You don't need the power cord connected at all, the issue is the relative voltage potential between the person, and the chassis of the PC.

Yup. You want everything at the same potential. But you want to achieve that in a "nice" way. Not with a flying spark.