How should I ground myself?

[Inquisitive Builder]

Hey guys,

I'm pretty close to putting together my first build, and I have my grounding braclet, but I'm not sure what to attach it to. I'm not sure how well I can just do the "always touch the case" method, as I think my case is painted on the inside and I am planning on installing my motherboard, cpu, cpu fan, and ram into the case today without a PSU in it since my PSU hasn't arrived yet. So what should I ground myself to?

I plan to build this in my garage, as there is concrete flooring there. I heard somewhere that as long as the case is dirrectly on the concrete foundation that this should provide enough gounding, but is this true? I did this a few years ago when I put a video card in and it seemed to work well, but then again I'm not sure I really needed to be grounded for that.
I also have a washer and drier in there, and I think I found a spot with bare metal that I could connect it to as well.

So anyway, what do you guys suggest? I'll appreciate any help you can give me 😀

 

[Swordkd]

I always build my Pc's on the living room floor. However, before touching ANY component in my Pc I always touch my power supply and keep my body in contact with the case while working on it. Can you attach the bracelet to your case? This should prevent discharge into any other component.

 

[GOM3RPLY3R]

If you have a metal case, that would be perfect. Otherwise, really as long as you have say a piece of metal that cannot receive or suppresses static, then you're fine. Even so, just touching the case a few times every now and then works good too.

 

[Inquisitive Builder]

If you have a metal case, that would be perfect. Otherwise, really as long as you have say a piece of metal that cannot receive or suppresses static, then you're fine. Even so, just touching the case a few times every now and then works good too.

Does this work even when the power supply is not in the case? Is it the metal itself that grounds you, or does the case just conduct the electricity to the PSU and then to the wall socket?

 

[larkspur]

The metal grounds you. It's good that you are being cautious, but you aren't performing brain surgery - be mindful, but you shouldn't get too nervous about static. Enamel-coated metal will still ground the charge you have, so touch the metal of the case. Plastic won't work, but painted/treated metal still grounds the high-voltage of static electricity. So even if the inside is painted, you will still be grounded.

The wrist-bracelets are fine, clip it to a portion of the case if you want to use that. I've always just touched the case or PSU occasionally (I realize you won't have that quite yet but you'll be ok just touching the case). Touching the washer or whatever would be fine too. Don't shuffle your bare feet on your carpet, touch some metal occasionally, and you'll be good to go : )