How does touching your case when building a pc prevent static?

[Natebubba]

I have been reading about how to prevent static electricity from damaging your components when you are building a computer and I don't understand it at all. People say that you can touch your case all the time in order to stay grounded. How does touching your case ground you, when your case isn't grounded? Wut? How does an anti-static wrist strap work? If it just connects you to the case, I ask again how does that ground you if the case isn't grounded? Makes no sense.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

It's called "grounding".....a spark jumps when there is a difference in electrical potential. Once you touch the case, that potential discharges.

And BTW, I always plug in my PSUs w/ switch off while building.....so Im completely grounded.

 

[Paperdoc]

You're right. The case needs to be grounded as you work. Jack... above told you how he does that. Or, you could run a secure wire from case to a reliable Ground. And the anti-static wrist band should be connected to GROUND, not the case. That would mean connecting BOTH to Ground.