anitstatic

[patrickp]

Hello,
thanks to your great support i finally ordered my parts and wait for shipping.

But I wonder how to create an antistatic assembling place in my appartment?
I have a fluffy carpet, a wooden table and a antistatic wristband and I will be not be wearing socks.
Where do I plug that wristband clamp in, to make sure I am constantly grounded and is it a good idea to place a rubbermat( like for cars) on the table and assemble everything on that?
I really don't want to screw it up.
Oh well, firsttimer.
Appreciate any ideas.
Thanks, Patrick

[randy48]

Just hook it to the steel frame of the case. And if you get tired of being tied to the case, rest your arm on the frame!

[johnqp]

As long as you keep in contact with a conductive material such as the case through your wrist band, you should be fine. As for the rubber mat, see if you can get a hold of some anti static mat material - more comprehensive electronic stores should sell it by the yard.
Wearing or not wearing socks wouldn't make much difference.

[thekingofpain]

Dont forget to ground the case...

[Jonty]

Well, what I do is connect my anti-static strap to myself, then I clip the clip onto a piece of wire then connect this to the earth pin of a spare electric plug and plug it into the wall socket. That way I know I am definetely earthed. MAKE SURE IT IS THE EARTH PIN YOU ARE CONNECTING TO!

[Rat]

Quote:
>Well, what I do is connect my anti-static strap to myself, then I clip the clip onto a piece of wire then connect this to the earth pin of a spare electric plug and plug it into the wall socket. That way I know I am definetely earthed. MAKE SURE IT IS THE EARTH PIN YOU ARE CONNECTING TO!<

That won't work unless the computer you are working on is grounded too.

Rat...

[This message has been edited by Rat (edited 01-13-2001).]

[patrickp]

hmmm.
NOw you got me confused.

sure, wearing the wristband is clear

than connect it to the case

but case must be grounded, too( ground where and how?)
__________
or connect my wristband clamp to the earth
@ the outlet (where exactly is that?)

[randy48]

Just you to the case is all you have to worry about. The steel case will "kill" any static electricity that you're carrying around! The case does not need to be grounded. Some people might tell you to plug it in, don't, you'll risk accidently powering up the machine and really causing damage. I work on machines daily and DO NOT use a wrist strap! Just make sure that you grab the case, rest your bare arm on the case, whatever, prior to touching any components. Do this frequently, and there's nothing to worry about. BTW, I've been working on PCs since 1983 and have yet to damage a board by not using a wrist strap!

[Techie Dude]

Here, Here!!!

Ok, that said, if I even touch my system now, It`ll probably die huh?

TD.

[Graham]

Something need to be earthed !!! either you or the case.
If a static charge builds up it will discharge to earth when it gets a chance, and if that happens to be via some delicate component, when you plug the power in for example, it could be costly.
Static will be generated by you, not the case, so it is you that needs discharging, that's what the anti-static strap does, usually to ground (mains earth) [via a high value (>5Mohm)resistor, to limit the current should you touch anything live].
For the sake of how difficult it is, earth yourself, or the case and make sure you touch it often.
Better safe than sorry, or is that poorer?

G

[thekingofpain]

Dont forget to ground the case...
Connecting a groundstrap to or touching the frame/powersupply does no good at all if the case isnt grounded...

[patrickp]

Ok, thanks to you all.
I think I got it now.
By the way, it's a case from colorcase.com
USB translucent blue with front USB headers.
I chose the Fortron high end silent 300 watt power supply with in and out cooling.

Thanks again ! http://www.colorcase.com/products/case/usb/usbaquabluebig.jpg

[Rat]

Most people have a surge strip or battery back-up hooked to the system. Keep the system plugged in and turn the switch off on the surge strip or battery backup. This way, the system is still grounded, but will not accidently start. Use a antistatic strap and your'e all set.
Rat...

[OuTpaTienT]

I have a confession. In over ten years of messin' with 'puters, I have never worn an antistatic anything. I just touch the case to discharge any static.

I guess you're better safe-than-sorry...but I think the whole antistatic wristband thing is overblown & overkill. To me it's like driving around with your airbag inflated 'just in case'.

[skai]

Yeah I agree I've never used a strap ,but I touch the case often.Eh patrickp maybe you should not attach yourself to a power outlet unless you are absolutly sure of what your doing.skai

[Jonty]

Rat - Sorry!! I forgot to put in my reply that I do indeed connect the piece of wire to the computer case!