How to use a anti static wriststrap?

Posted by closesouceenthusiast@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 34 comments

Hello community, there is one thing that confuses me about building a pc: how to ground myself properly to not shock any of my components. I ordered a wriststrap from amazon with a croco connector. Some people say that you should turn off your psu after you build it in and clip it to an unpainted spot of your case. Then some people say you can die from this method. Or I have read that you should clip it to an unpainted spot without the psu. What should I do to handle my pc parts safe?

Thank you alot. I wish you a cool christmas with your familys. And lower graphiccard prices xD

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IceCreamTruck9000@reddit

Whoever started this anti static wriststrap nonsense was a marketing genius...I've build just over 10 PC's by now and never needed that crap. Guess what, not a single component got damaged by static charge.

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godparticle14@reddit

It is now 4 years later. Can you still day the same?

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IceCreamTruck9000@reddit

Yes, everything still alive.

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deleted_by_reddit@reddit

The chance of destroying your parts due to static is minimal. So you can safely assemble it without the band. 😁

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closesouceenthusiast@reddit (OP)

My strategy is better safe than sorry. Aka murphys law "everything that could go wrong will go wrong".

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Dangerous_Rutabaga42@reddit

Actually, "anything that can happen, will happen".?

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BookkeeperIll6115@reddit

that means the fucking exact same thing, no need to be another douche on reddit keeping up the stereotypes.

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Dangerous_Rutabaga42@reddit

Who's really perpetuating stereotypes here though?

And yeah it is Almost the same thing, But also is the actual Murphy's Law, and leaves room for, things that could go right... Not only wrong.

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SpudTicket@reddit

I'm just now seeing this post, and I'm really glad you wrote that because I've never heard it said that way and I like that a lot better because it doesn't just focus on things going wrong. I understand why people usually use the other saying, to remind themselves to prepare for when things go wrong, but still. Better to prepare yourself for ANYTHING lol

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closesouceenthusiast@reddit (OP)

I build my pc without a wrist strap.... everything is working fine for four years.... I was a little bit concerned at that time because i didn't build a pc before that....

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SpudTicket@reddit

Yeah, I know what you mean! I think I could do that in the summer, but my house is really dry in the winter and there can be a lot of static build up in here. My cats even get touchy about being pet sometimes because of the shocks. Definitely need to be on the safe side in my case!

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ATs_Magic_Shop@reddit

I destroyed my sister's laptop because I blew a resistor on her motherboard with static discharge

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Biggbearded@reddit

Plug the PSU into the wall. Turn it on. It's now grounded. Clip the clip to the metal of the PSU (the grate or whatever. Boom. You are now grounded

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AquaTiger67@reddit

Do not turn on the PSU. Your grounded without it be on, just plugged in.

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yo_saff_bridge@reddit

Thank you - this is the advice I've been looking for.

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-Drunk_Bear@reddit

So plug psu to the wall and dont turn it on or dont plug it too?

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ReUndone@reddit

Plugging it in is what grounds is. On or off is irrelevant for grounding, but very relevant for safety.

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DayHopeful6652@reddit

My best advice for you is to work naked

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acroback@reddit

Discharge yourself by touching the PSU connected to the wall outlet.

work bare foot.

Avoid wearing anything woolen or synthetic which can hold static charge.

Everytime you step away from computer redo the discharging process.

It's basic electricity principal, current follows the path of least resistance.

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Tiny-Cup-9122@reddit

Is building my PC naked the safest option?

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closesouceenthusiast@reddit (OP)

Can I wear jeans and a tshirt?

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acroback@reddit

Sure why not. If you want to assert dominance around the house, work naked. no chance of any static too :).

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deleted_by_reddit@reddit

Depends how hairy you are.

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SerMumble@reddit

Manscapping is important

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EmberTheFoxyFox@reddit

This comment, sponsored by Manscaped, buy the lawnmower for a smooth finish

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Snoo77095@reddit

Can anyone explain this touching the PSU thing? In college our instructor insisted nothing was plugged in.

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chromatofficial@reddit

This is because if you unplug everything, the PC would not be grounded to anything. Even if all the grounds of the components are connected, what actually makes them grounded is that they are connected to the wall ground. Otherwise there is nowhere for the electricity to go.

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Badgerduty@reddit

Few outlets are actually grounded, at least here in sweden. Here you will basically only have grounded outlets in the kitchen and possibly the bathroom.

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nopointinlife1234@reddit

Place the band on your forearm so the metal piece stays in contact with your skin.

Attach clamp on other end to a metal item.

Congratulations, you're grounded.

Honestly, just touch the a piece of metal before you touch your components. Ground yourself.

A strap isn't really needed.

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