STATIC, two different oppinions.

[kevinflames]

http://www.omnicast.net/~tmcfadden/guides/build/Moboprep.html

says you should have your case plugged in, i assume the powerstrip or socket switch should be off 😉 , so that the case is grounded.


A video i downloaded, told me to keep myself, the components, and the case all electrically interconnected with wrist straps, antistatic mat and so on...

he said that, as most people say, it is NOT important to ground yourself to the earth.

could i use foil as an antistatic mat? connected to the case?

could people clear this up for me please? Thanks

 

[PliotronX]

From what I understand, placing static-sensitive devices onto conductive surfaces is not a good idea, whereas a non-conductive surface (such as the rubber-based mats variously available) grounded through a 1Mohm resistor is ideal.

 

[Zepper]

You can equalize potentials by just connecting things together but to truly drain the static off, the system has to be connected to a true earth ground. This drainage can be dramatic if the ground has zero resistance (case connected to ground thru power cord) or more gradual if connected thru a resistance. I generally just keep my power cords plugged and one hand on the chassis as often as possible to keep the static drained. If the wall outlet isn't properly grounded (as can often be the case in residences even with a 3-prong outlet), you're SOL... So test that first. Worse to worse, connect a hunk of heavy wire to a cold water pipe (copper not plastic - duuh).
.bh.

 

[kevinflames]

hmmm.. im not sure what i should do when i build my pc :S . the grounding using the 3 prong socket doesnt seem 100% :S so im not taking that risk. what should i do ? this is my biggest concen when building my first pc. the rest seems ok (cpu installation and rest)

any ideas to help me? thanks

 

[viivo]

So getting a tingling feeling when touching your case isn't a good thing?

🙂

 

[kevinflames]

any other little helpers?

 

[darkswordsman17]

Just make sure you're not standing on carpet or other staticy surface when installing everything, wear a wrist-strap, and you should be fine.

I would probably leave the case/PSU plugged in but with the switch set to off as an extra precaution.

I think you're worrying a little too much 🙂

 

[TechnoPro]

Originally posted by: kevinflames
hmmm.. im not sure what i should do when i build my pc :S . the grounding using the 3 prong socket doesnt seem 100% :S so im not taking that risk. what should i do ? this is my biggest concen when building my first pc. the rest seems ok (cpu installation and rest)

any ideas to help me? thanks

A $5.00 tester at any hardware store will tell you if the outlet is grounded or not. If it is, then you are all set.

Plug power cord into surge protector that is switched off. Ensure that the PSU is swiched off if it has a hard power switch. Put a grounding strap on your wrist and clip it to the metal of the chassis.

You > grounding strap > PC case > PSU > power cord > surge protector > wall outlet. That is your path to ground.

 

[kevinflames]

Could i connect the case to the valve on my radiator(unpainted of course), and would that work to ground it? then connect myself to the case with the strap?

 

[Bovinicus]

I have never damaged a piece of hardware in my life. The only precaution I take is to be wearing shoes with rubber soles and not placing the case on carpet. I might touch the grounded case one time before I begin to dig in, but that is it. Sure, you can be extra-cautious if you want, but I find it unecessary.

 

[Oyeve]

Ive have built dozens if not hundreds of pcs in the last 18 years and have never grounded myself nor wore a wrist strap or anything and have never zapped something with static electricity except one time in the mid 80s when memory came in sipps (thats right, sipps) and 1/2 a meg of memory required something like 16 sipps and I managed to kill one by playing around with it and was holding it in my hand when I turned a doorknob and got zapped by static. But back in those days the ram was not nearly as robust as today.

 

[oldman420]

i have built over 100 pcs and have never with the exception of touching the case before i begin work done anything unusual to gaurd against static if it is winter i may place the box on a wooden surface to help a little extra. i have never lost any components this way and i think unless you actualy arc out against something it will be ok most likely.
i also always unplug my case i have a buddy that frid his mb thinking it was grounded well it wasnt bzzzzt.
have fun take your time and go slow and easy