Bit of wire as good as an antistatic strap?

[Franklin]

If I want to improvise an antistatic strap then could I simple wrap
some wire around my wrist (or my ankle) and then attach the other end
of the wire to the case of the PC I am working on?

Isn't that all an antistatic strap (like this one shown here) really
is?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/images/Full/32142i0.jpg

 

[John Doe]

If I want to improvise an antistatic strap then could I simple
wrap some wire around my wrist (or my ankle)

I am reasonably sure that your ankle will not do nearly as well as
a wrist strap. I think it has something to do with your body's
capacitance. Static electricity probably will not just flow from
your hand down and out of your ankle.

I try to keep my arms contacting the case, that or at least
contacting the case immediately before doing something. That is
easier now I have a case with smooth edges.

and then attach the other end of the wire to the case of the PC
I am working on?

I am sure it would go to the case.

Isn't that all an antistatic strap (like this one shown here)
really is?

One has to figure that, except maybe for the shape and maybe being
a noncorrosive material.

Humidity also helps dissipate static electricity. I take note
whenever the air is dry.

Good luck.

 

[Al Dykes]

A copper wire is a safety hazard. Put a megohm resister is series to
limit current if the wire should hit a live wire. (You should be
working on an unplugged system, anyway, but safe practices are good,
as a habit).

 

[William W. Plummer]

If I want to improvise an antistatic strap then could I simple wrap
some wire around my wrist (or my ankle) and then attach the other end
of the wire to the case of the PC I am working on?

Isn't that all an antistatic strap (like this one shown here) really
is?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/images/Full/32142i0.jpg

A wire will work fairly well especially if you sweat a lot. The idea
of the wide bank is that is makes contact with a lot of skin, minimizing
the electrical resistance. Practically speaking, just about anything
will work.

 

[Kadaitcha Man]

If I want to improvise an antistatic strap then could I simple wrap
some wire around my wrist (or my ankle)

Let's hope the power supply has a high voltage leak to ground and blows your
****ing head off, eh. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You daft ****.

 

[kony]

If I want to improvise an antistatic strap then could I simple wrap
some wire around my wrist (or my ankle) and then attach the other end
of the wire to the case of the PC I am working on?

Isn't that all an antistatic strap (like this one shown here) really
is?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/images/Full/32142i0.jpg

yes that would work if the case remains grounded. If it
doesn't, simply being at same potential as the case doesn't
necessarily save a part if you and the case are still at a
higher potential than ground... once you take parts out you
can still have a charge flow though the part to a (closer to
earth) contact with something.

 

[Stephen]

If I want to improvise an antistatic strap then could I simple wrap
some wire around my wrist (or my ankle) and then attach the other end
of the wire to the case of the PC I am working on?

Isn't that all an antistatic strap (like this one shown here) really
is?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/images/Full/32142i0.jpg

No, an antistatic wrist strap also has a resister in it to prevent you
from electrocuting yourself if you touch a high voltage wire.

Stephen


--

 

[Jon Danniken]

I am reasonably sure that your ankle will not do nearly as well as
a wrist strap. I think it has something to do with your body's
capacitance. Static electricity probably will not just flow from
your hand down and out of your ankle.

Not to mention the likelihood of trying to getting tripped up when walking
away still attached.

Jon

 

[Ed Cregger]

Not to mention the likelihood of trying to getting tripped up when walking
away still attached.

Jon

You guys worry too much.

As long as you ground yourself and your components to the same potential,
via the computer chassis, there isn't anything to worry about.

Of course, you shouldn't be rubbing your feet on the carpet once you have
grounded yourself, you shouldn't be touching other devices that may hold a
significant static charge, etc.

I haven't blown a component from static discharge yet, and I have been at it
for several decades.

Ed Cregger

 

[Shep©]

You guys worry too much.

As long as you ground yourself and your components to the same potential,
via the computer chassis, there isn't anything to worry about.

Of course, you shouldn't be rubbing your feet on the carpet once you have
grounded yourself, you shouldn't be touching other devices that may hold a
significant static charge, etc.

I haven't blown a component from static discharge yet, and I have been at it
for several decades.

Ed Cregger

Ditto

 

[Al Smith]

If I want to improvise an antistatic strap then could I simple wrap

some wire around my wrist (or my ankle) and then attach the other end
of the wire to the case of the PC I am working on?

Why not just wear a tinfoil hat? Less restrictive of your movements.

 

[ric]

If I want to improvise an antistatic strap then could I simple wrap
some wire around my wrist (or my ankle) and then attach the other end
of the wire to the case of the PC I am working on?

Isn't that all an antistatic strap (like this one shown here) really
is?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/images/Full/32142i0.jpg

No. A strap provides a high impedance path to ground, not a dead
short. I believe some inductance is involved as well.

 

[Fisher]

You guys worry too much.

As long as you ground yourself and your components to the same potential,
via the computer chassis, there isn't anything to worry about.

Of course, you shouldn't be rubbing your feet on the carpet once you have
grounded yourself, you shouldn't be touching other devices that may hold a
significant static charge, etc.

I haven't blown a component from static discharge yet, and I have been at it
for several decades.

Ed Cregger

Yea, guys that do this for a living don't ground themselves with wrist
straps when working on PC's. And to properly ground yourself anyway
you get one of those straps that plug into the ground socket in an
electrical receptor - that is grounded - not your PC case.

 

[John Doe]

Yea, guys that do this for a living don't ground themselves with
wrist straps when working on PC's.

Whoever you are talking about does not work on my PC.

And to properly ground yourself anyway you get one of those
straps that plug into the ground socket in an electrical
receptor - that is grounded - not your PC case.

Is that what the people who work on your computer say? I think
that is a fundamental misunderstanding. You probably would connect
yourself to the PC case so that there is little potential
difference between you and the components in your system. The case
would absorb and disperse generated electricity. That is why
manufacturers recommend wearing an anti-static wrist strap or
touching the case, while you are manipulating components.

Noticeable static electricity discharge helps remind me to be
careful when working with components. If you want to do a test,
try it when the air is dry and you can easily generate static
electricity. Work up a real good charge and then touch a surface
mount device, one of chips on your video card, one of the black
flat things that has lots of tiny little metal pins sticking out
of it. Touch those little pins and make sure it pops just like
usual static electricity discharge. Let us know if it destroys
your video card. Thanks in advance.

 

[~ Avery Anderson~]

i unplug the unit from power,
and just touch the case before
grabbing anything else.

never had a problem.

 

[Ed Cregger]

Yea, guys that do this for a living don't ground themselves with wrist
straps when working on PC's. And to properly ground yourself anyway
you get one of those straps that plug into the ground socket in an
electrical receptor - that is grounded - not your PC case.

The idea is to prevent current flow. What the potential voltage is, is
unimportant as long as everything is at the same potential voltage. Earth
ground is irrelevant.

Ed Cregger

 

[Fisher]

Whoever you are talking about does not work on my PC.

Go to any computer tech shop and tell me how many people you see
wearing anti-static wrist straps. Get back to me when you have
finished counting.

Is that what the people who work on your computer say? I think
that is a fundamental misunderstanding.

That's what I know from researching the subject.. Where is ground?
Your PC case is not ground. They sell wrist straps that attach to
electrical ground receptors for a reason. Look it up and get back to
me. Ideally you would ground both your PC case and yourself if you
want to get anal about it.

 

[Ed Cregger]

Go to any computer tech shop and tell me how many people you see
wearing anti-static wrist straps. Get back to me when you have
finished counting.


That's what I know from researching the subject.. Where is ground?
Your PC case is not ground. They sell wrist straps that attach to
electrical ground receptors for a reason. Look it up and get back to
me. Ideally you would ground both your PC case and yourself if you
want to get anal about it.

As long as everything is at the same potential, there will be no damaging
current flow.

I don't like hooking myself up to Earth ground. That's not very bright,
especially if there are storms in the area, or there are other instruments
in the vicinity that may not be at perfect Earth ground. Which almost never
happens in real life.

Ed Cregger

 

[Fisher]

The idea is to prevent current flow. What the potential voltage is, is
unimportant as long as everything is at the same potential voltage. Earth
ground is irrelevant.

Ed Cregger

Look, I've already researched this a few years back and the best
grounding straps are the ones that actually plug into ground. Earth
ground is very relevant but not really necessary for just working on a
PC. You could leave the PC plugged in in the off position and then
attach your anti-static strap to the case and you will be grounded but
they do make straps that plug into ground. LOOK IT UP!

 

[Mike Scott]

i unplug the unit from power,
and just touch the case before
grabbing anything else.

never had a problem.

It's never been quite clear whether one should completely unplug the
unit. If it's plugged in (while switched off at the mains), there's
still an earth connection bonding everything. If you unplug, the
equipment starts to float (voltage-wise, that is ) which could
potentially cause problems if the operator is grounded.