How to use an anti static wrist strap?

[fun4678]

People say to strap it to my case but my case is ALL painted. What do I do besides plugging the power supply into the wall (doesn't seem safe)

 

[Dunlop0078]

Do you have anything somewhat heavy and steel lying around your house? I use an old camshaft from a car engine lol my case is also painted.

 

[fun4678]

Could I use another computer? The inside has unpainted metal. My grandpa is an electrical engineer and he said NOT to connect it to anything but the computer I'm working on. I'm very confused and don't want to fry my components.

 

[Saberus]

Quick and dirty is to just scrape the paint off in an inconspicuous area, or screw in a stand-off onto the chassis. If the PSU is plugged into the motherboard, you can clip to the PSU and still maintain protection.

If it's not connected to the wall, the center pin on the PSU's power socket is a ground. (I don't recommend this)

 

[fun4678]

So if I scrape off some of the paint on a part of the case and connect the alligator clips will it work?

 

[Saberus]

Yes, the motherboard should be protected then through the stand-offs, and everything connected to it by extension. If you can reach a stand-off just at the board edge, you don't even have to scrape any paint.

 

[fun4678]

I also see unpainted screws that are holding in my hard drive can I connect it to that?

 

[Dunlop0078]

Well its very unlikely your going to fry any components in the first place even without and anti static strap, as long as you aren't rubbing your feet on the carpet then touching your parts you should be fine. I have built many computers and never hurt anything with static. I never hear about it happening either. But i understand being cautious removing some paint should be fine or using another computer without a painted chassis should be fine too.

 

[fun4678]

Okay what if I connect the alligator clip to a screwdriver?

 

[Dunlop0078]

Okay what if I connect the alligator clip to a screwdriver?

Its not ideal but its probably than having no anti static strap. This may sound weird but if you want to go the extra mile take your shirt off when you build your computer especially if its polyester or cotton so your shirt isn't rubbing against itself when you move your arms causing static. And build the computer on a wood or laminated table on a wood floor (or anything other than carpet).

 

[fun4678]

Can I build it on glass?

 

[Dunlop0078]

Can I build it on glass?

Yes that would also be a good surface.

 

[fun4678]

Okay great!

 

[fun4678]

Can I just connect the alligator clip to another computer? Sorry but I am just very nervous.

 

[Dunlop0078]

Can I just connect the alligator clip to another computer? Sorry but I am just very nervous.

Lol that's what i would do in your situation. You will be okay take a deep breath and build the computer its very unlikely you will kill anything with static.

 

[Saberus]

Another computer isn't going to have the same level of charge. Hooking to another chassis is going to nothing for ESD protection, especially if they're both on glass, which is an insulator.

 

[fun4678]

Oh so could I connect it to a screw inside my case, the screw that's holding my hard drive in.

 

[Saberus]

That will work.

 

[fun4678]

Ok! Thanks!