Corsair 200R - Where do I ground?

[duftutta]

I am considering moving my PC components to a new case as it will be a bit smaller and have better freedom as far as airflow is concerned.

I am considering the Corsair 200R, which seems like everything a beginner like me needs, however when I attach an anti-static wrist strap, I have been told to attach it to a bare metal point on the case, but from what I have seen all the metal and all the screws are painted.

So where would I ground myself if I'm building in this case?

 

[BadActor]

You can attach it under one of the screws for the rear slot covers.

 

[duftutta]

Is it possible I could maybe attach it to one of the pins on the PSU once it is installed?

 

[duftutta]

You can attach it under one of the screws for the rear slot covers.

Rear slot covers? Do you mean the GPU slots at the back, and are you saying that there are screws there for me to attach the strap? By the way I don't have the case yet, but from the footage I've seen I can't see that much unpainted metal.

 

[BadActor]

I guess that's possible, but any screw going into the case will work. Yes, the screws that hold the covers for the GPU slots.

 

[duftutta]

I guess that's possible, but any screw going into the case will work. Yes, the screws that hold the covers for the GPU slots.

From what I've seen the prepackaged screws are painted. But I have some screws from the old case, would I be able to use them?

 

[BadActor]

They're thumbscrews and not sure if they are painted or anodized, but you could substitute an unfinished one while you put it together.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

The best connection point is one of brass MoBo standoffs as you have bare metal with better conductivity than steel on a screw that is screwed into the metal. Inserting the screw will grind off some of the paint on the female threads even if it did manage to get coverage during the painting process.

Most of the time you have some exposed to the right of the Motherboard. Otherwise you can simply attack the clip sideways to the lower right one that will hold in the MoBo.

Back up but somewhat less effective points are:

-The screws holding in your PSU.
-Any screw holding the case together. Unscrew it a bit and clamp on to the threads.
-If you are concerned.... take case screw down to your local hardware store and get a longer one, preferably brass or aluminum (which are more conductive than steel), with the same thread and keep it in your toolbox for future builds afterwards.
-And yes an unfinished screw that you already have saves a trip to the HW store.

Tips:

1. Take off your shoes
2. If ya strap is long enough, attach to your ankle ... it tends to get in way on ya wrist.
3. if right handed and strap won't go to angle, attach strap to left hand and visa versa)
4. PSU should be plugged in, off and connected to a 3 pronged outlet.
5. If you use a 2 => 3 prong adapter, you have no ground.
6. If you find the strap cumbersome, taking it off and just toughing the case before grabbing any part solves the problem.
7. If you do want to use a wrist strap, a ModMat is the way to go.... Connect PC to mat .... then mat to ankle.

 

[AdmiralDonut]

You won't be "grounded" unless the PSU is already in the case, and plugged in to the wall socket. So once that's done, simply insert a bare metal screw in to any screw hole on the case, and hook your wrist strap to that.

 

[duftutta]

Thanks JackNaylorPE, I'm in the UK so three-pronged plugs won't be a problem. You said to plug in the PSU - so I have it switched on at the plug but off at the actual PSU? And even if I do this is there still a risk of me getting an electric shock? If so, I am only a beginner and would like to remove this risk as much as possible.

 

[duftutta]

Also I don't really want to spend that much as I plan to get a new CPU cooler among other things, so I probably won't be getting a ModMat to be honest.

 

[GhislainG]

Also I don't really want to spend that much as I plan to get a new CPU cooler among other things, so I probably won't be getting a ModMat to be honest.

You don't need it; as long as the system is grounded trough the PSU's power cord, you're fine.

 

[duftutta]

[You don't need it; as long as the system is grounded trough the PSU's power cord, you're fine.

What do you mean by grounded through the power cord? Do you mean I have to plug it in?

 

[GhislainG]

You don't need a ModMat or anything special; you don't even need an anti-static wrist strap if you touch the case before grabbing components.

 

[AdmiralDonut]

[You don't need it; as long as the system is grounded trough the PSU's power cord, you're fine.

What do you mean by grounded through the power cord? Do you mean I have to plug it in?

Grounding only works if you are grounded. The simplest way to do that is to mount the PSU into the case, plug it in to the wall socket, and THEN start putting in other components.

That way, if you have built up any static charge, it will dissipate through your hand, into the case, then into the PSU via the screws used to mount it into the case, then through it's own internal wiring (as it is designed to do) then down the power cable and into the ground wire in your house wiring. That is how grounding works.

 

[GhislainG]

Excellent explanation.

 

[duftutta]

[mount the PSU into the case, plug it in to the wall socket, and THEN start putting in other components.

So I have it turned on at the plug but off on the actual PSU?

 

[AdmiralDonut]

[mount the PSU into the case, plug it in to the wall socket, and THEN start putting in other components.

So I have it turned on at the plug but off on the actual PSU?

Yes, that's right. It being switched off makes no difference to its effectiveness in this instance.

 

[duftutta]

plug it in to the wall socket,

Is there a risk of electrocution?

 

[GhislainG]

It would be very difficult, but it can be done. You can't get electrocuted working on a PC, but it's possible if you have high voltage lines in your area and a long pole or a ladder to touch them.

 

[AdmiralDonut]

plug it in to the wall socket,

Is there a risk of electrocution?

I don't know what the other guy is talking about, but no, there is zero chance of electrocution unless you stick your fingers in the plug socket.

 

[GhislainG]

You'll get a shock if you stick your fingers in the socket; you won't get electrocuted. You need to touch high voltage lines to get electrocuted. Even with your feet grounded, touching a live wire in your house will give you a very good shock, but it shouldn't kill you. I replace sockets and switches without switching the breakers to Off and I'm still alive.

 

[AdmiralDonut]

You'll get a shock if you stick your fingers in the socket; you won't get electrocuted. You need to touch high voltage lines to get electrocuted. Even with your feet grounded, touching a live wire in your house will give you a very good shock, but it shouldn't kill you. I replace sockets and switches without switching the breakers to Off and I'm still alive.

Two points. Firstly, this is not something that OP has to be concerned with for any reason other than that which I stated. Secondly, electrocution is what you call death from electric shock, any kind of electric shock, not just those from high voltage lines. Household wall sockets carry more than enough amperage to kill a person, and a 5 second Google search would tell you that.

 

[GhislainG]

You have to be grounded for electricity to flow through your body (bathtub with copper tubing, bare-feet on the ground, etc.) If you touch an outlet and its ground at the same time with a single hand, then electricity only goes though your fingers; it isn't a pleasant experience, but it doesn't kill. Have you forgotten about that stuff that you studied at a technical school?

 

[duftutta]

So if I plug it into the wall socket, with the switch on there, but with the switch off at the PSU, I'll definetly be fine?