what's the easiest way to [electrically] ground yourself?

[mnkyspnk5w]

what's the easiest way to electrically ground yourself? should you just buy a grounding cable from radio shack?

for the most part, when i had been installing computer parts in the past i hadn't really bothered but recently believed i shorted my floppy drive because i didn't ground myself before hand.

so, any quick references on where to look or quick/easy tips would be much appreciated. thanks a bunch.

 

[snooker]

You should unplug the main powercord before going inside a pc. Also you might want to get a static strap like this one.

What I usually do if I do not use one is just grab ahold of the metal frame somewhere (Firm grip) and hold on while unpluging the system's powercord with the other hand. Dunno if that helps but I do it anyway

 

[Akira13]

<< You should unplug the main powercord before going inside a pc. >>


There's actually some conflicting ideas about that. Some say that because the computer is unplugged, it is no longer grounded, so touching the case/using a strap no longer helps. Others say that the case absorbs the charge either way. However, since charge is conserved, you should leave the computer plugged in (just turn off the PS main switch) and then touch the case and/or use a strap. That will ensure that the charge on you goes through the case, through your house's circuit, and into the ground.

 

[crapito]

you could just stand on a metal plate and drill a screw through your foot into the plate. it's easy, but not very practical (or pleasant).

 

[MoMeanMugs]

Just leave it plugged in and hold onto the case. I never saw a point in buying those wrist straps.

 

[tem1975]

New to anandtech but worked on computers for a while...... I usually just touch something metal (i.e. the case) before I go into the pc. I do however unplug the power.

 

[Jeff7]

I find that standing barefoot on a concrete floor grounds me quite well.
I had a power outlet with a bad ground plug (didn't know it at the time) and when I picked up the computer, I got a mild shock from it. A VOM showed that there was a potential of only about 5 volts there, but I was apparently grounded enough for it to flow. I made sure it was the concrete by standing on an insulator and touching the case again - no effect that way. The outlet has since been fixed.

Oh yes, on leaving PSU's plugged in:
In an AT system, if the power switch is off, the power supply will not put out any power. In an ATX system with a power switch on the back of the PSU, switch that off; then the thing won't put out any power.
If it's an ATX power supply without a power switch, then you want to unplug it.

 

[ChurchOfSubgenius]

The best way would be to take a six or seven foot sword and slide it down your throat, out your hoo-ha and into the earths core, provided you were standing on a flat spot of the earths core to begin with.