Noob...Question about static charge

[Nipples]

Alright. Today most of my hardware is showing up from NewEgg, ZipZoomFly etc.... Sometime in the next week I plan on building my rig. I know that static electricity is a bad thing when it comes to electronics. I happen to live somewhere where static electricity is an everyday issue.

I read in mechBgon's guide the following:

Ground yourself!!! You should always connect the PSU [the case's power supply unit] to the wall and turn the PSU's switch to 'off' before building!!

I assume that the power supply should be installed into the computer case first and foremost (assumes the case didn't come with a PSU) and mechanically grounded to the case itself in some fashion so as to take advantage of the house ground?

Anti-Static wrist straps. Are they all the same? Where can you buy them?

Other than the case itself, what other things can you touch in your house to ground yourself?

Is it possible to ground your person, but also have one of your tools carry an electrostatic charge?

Any useful feedback on static would be appreciated. Tricks of the trade. Warnings. Situations to anticipate. Bad stories.

In advance, thank you for your help.

 

[Pixle]

Dont worry about static charge so much. It's not really that bad. Just touch the metal piece of your case before working on it and you should be fine. Hardware is alot more tollerant than people believe.

 

[meltdown75]

I agree with Pixle... I've done many builds and even more repairs, and I've never used an anti-static wrist strap.

As long as the case is the last thing you touch / keep a hand on before you start tinkering with the innards, you should be fine.

 

[Nipples]

The case needs to be grounded through the PSU to have that work, correct?

Or, does touching an ungrounded case enough?

 

[globalcitizen]

You can just put the case on the floor, like a non wood floor in a basement and touch it. I did that and had no problems.

 

[imported_Kensai]

A case on the floor is enough.

 

[imported_Owl]

I've built six computers now, in the summer when it is drier here in Arkansas and in the winter when it can be cool and dry. I've never had a problem with static electricity and have never worn the anti static wrist straps. If you wear rubber sole shoes, work on wood, tile , concrete, linoleum surface(carpet might be more conducive to static electricity), and touch your metal case to discharge yourself, you should be good to go. Relax, enjoy yourself, and have fun with your first build.

 

[klocwerk]

agree with all the above.
just touch bare metal (NOT PAINTED) before touching any components, and don't worry about it at all.

even if you didn't take any precautions, I doubt you'd have any trouble. as said above, hardware is a lot more tolerant than people give it credit for.

 

[ShadowBlade]

if youre worried about your case not being grounded at the same time, and for whatever reason dont trust anyone above (im not saying you shouldnt) you can always just touch your metal side pannel

 

[Fresh Daemon]

I was a professional computer technician for two years. I've never seen anything destroyed by static discharge. I've seen some other funny things destroy computers - like somebody who decided that they could make a SCSI scanner cable fit in their printer port using a hammer, or somebody who left their unboxed monitor out in a rainstorm - but not that.

Just do this. Plug the PSU in and turn the switch on the back off. The PSU is now grounded. Therefore the case is also grounded. Just make sure you're not wearing or working on natural fibres, touch the case periodically to discharge yourself and handle PCBs by the edges, not the chips or contacts, and you'll be fine.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: Nipples
The case needs to be grounded through the PSU to have that work, correct?

Or, does touching an ungrounded case enough?

Not really. The whole principle is to balance out the potentials. If both you and the MB have a 10kv potential, you're not going to zap it because no electricity will flow. Usually the wrist strap just attaches to the computer case.

Linemen at power utilities do this when working on power lines. They have a helicopter hover near the power line and extend a pole that touches the power line (with over 200,000 volts in it). Once the potential is equalized, the lineman can work on a live high voltage power line. He needs to make sure to never touch ground, because then current will flow and he's zapped.

 

[Nipples]

Thanks to each of you for your input. Much appreciated.

 

[sniperruff]

here's what i usually do before i touch anything

1) shut off computer
2) turn PSU off
3) press power button. this will discharge any remaining electricity. you'd see the fans spin for about a second.
4) touch metal case
5) wipe your hands clean (no doritos stain and whatnot)

and NEVER touch, move, reorganize, blow.... anything in a computer while it is on.

 

[helo7050]

You would be supprised at my office during the wniter times how much static we get. its really really bad. One of my colleges fried 2 phones and a PC because of a static shock. He was hitting the power button of a PC and the shock was so strong it fried the motherboard. Also when touching the phone it caused the phone to fry out. I myself can't even enter the office and turn on the light to my room without getting a static shock.. I think its the carpets along with the old heating radators they have in our building. I did build my PC at my office last week after i got all the parts and i was quite scared because almost everytime i walked away from the PC and went back and touch the case(before i went into the case) i would get a pretty strong shock. . (outch). so i ended up taking off my shoes and no shocks after that.