Static in a fully built system

[TonyIsntGood]

Might be a weird question, and I'm not too worried about it either way, but if you have a fully built system that is plugged into a grounded socket, with the PSU switch off, can you still shock your components?
Tomorrow I will be replacing my stock Intel fan with a Noctua NH-U12S, my computer will be plugged in to a grounded socket with the PSU switched off in the back so it will still be grounded. Is it even possible to shock any of the components if the PSU is plugged in? This question is more of a random thought than a concern either way.

 

[jetfighter545]

Yes it is possible. The static that you store isn't in any way related to the electricity in a PSU. If you do leave you power supply not plugged in but turned on, you can touch the outside of it to relieve yourself of any static electricity because the PSU is grounded.

 

[TonyIsntGood]

Yes it is possible. The static that you store isn't in any way related to the electricity in a PSU. If you do leave you power supply not plugged in but turned on, you can touch the outside of it to relieve yourself of any static electricity because the PSU is grounded.

Wait did you mean to say plugged in but not turned on? Or am I just not very smart? How would a power supply be grounded if it wasn't plugged in?

 

[jetfighter545]

Wait did you mean to say plugged in but not turned on?

Yeah. Plugged into the mains but the PSU turned off.

 

[TonyIsntGood]

Wait did you mean to say plugged in but not turned on?

Yeah. Plugged into the mains but the PSU turned off.

So wouldn't the components then theoretically also be grounded as they're plugged into a grounded PSU?

 

[jetfighter545]

Yes, but we don't want any of the static flowing through the components. It could damage crucial data. Anything made of metal will conduct static electricity, it is just that the PSU is grounded so the static wont go through the components, it'll only go through the mains.

 

[TonyIsntGood]

Yes, but we don't want any of the static flowing through the components. It could damage crucial data. Anything made of metal will conduct static electricity, it is just that the PSU is grounded so the static wont go through the components, it'll only go through the mains.

Okay now I'm confused based off my original question so i'm going to re-ask it simply, if your computer components are all grounded can static electricity harm them? Sorry for all the questions just I really like learning about this stuff.

 

[jetfighter545]

No problem. Your components will get damaged (even if they are grounded) if you touch them with static electricity. It will damage some of the sensitive electrical components inside your computer. If you touch the power supply the electricity will flow through your PSU chord out into the plug you get electricity from, which eventually leads into the ground where the static will dissipate (hense the term 'grounding'). The main thing is that if you do touch the PSU your components will not be touched by the static because they'd rather discharge in the ground. Even if your components are grounded or not, putting static through them will damage them.

 

[TonyIsntGood]

No problem. Your components will get damaged (even if they are grounded) if you touch them with static electricity. It will damage some of the sensitive electrical components inside your computer. If you touch the power supply the electricity will flow through your PSU chord out into the plug you get electricity from, which eventually leads into the ground where the static will dissipate (hense the term 'grounding'). The main thing is that if you do touch the PSU your components will not be touched by the static because they'd rather discharge in the ground. Even if your components are grounded or not, putting static through them will damage them.

That makes total sense now, I appreciate all your help. Have a good day/night!

 

[TonyIsntGood]

You may not care but I wanted to thank you for all your help Jet. My temps at load are down around 20 Degrees and 15ish degrees at idle. I appreciate all your help!