anti-static strap plugged to power outlet

[lcs]

I saw some instruction video where a anti-static strap used by a Mac
technician is plugged into a power outlet to be ground, instead of
attaching to a computer chassis. Does that actually work? I just
couldn't imagine getting so close to being electrified.

 

[Vaughn]

I saw some instruction video where a anti-static strap used by a Mac
technician is plugged into a power outlet to be ground, instead of
attaching to a computer chassis. Does that actually work? I just
couldn't imagine getting so close to being electrified.

I take it you have no Clean Room, or Anti Static Training, as if so, you
would understand that the plug used to connect the lead to the persons
wrist strap, and to the plug has only 1 metal, conductive lead, THE
EARTH. As the table is also conductive, and EARTHED, and the ANTI-STATIC
mats are also at the same EARTH potential, theoretically no STATIC can
jump from the Person or machinery. Not sure of how the US plugs are as
I'm from the UK, but with ours the EARTH is Always at the top of a plug,
and our Strap leads plug into this area. Making identification quite easy.

Believe yours are very similar, only smaller with round pins.

Not your fault to assume what you mistook when seeing the video, as this
can be seen much better with the plug unplugged, so you can see the
pins, and in colour to show that there is only one conductive pin.

Yes it does work, but for most, using the method you suggested is
better, as not all can afford the fully grounded work stations, so
grounding to the PC normally suffices.

Hope this helps

 

[Guest]

I saw some instruction video where a anti-static strap used by a Mac
technician is plugged into a power outlet to be ground, instead of
attaching to a computer chassis. Does that actually work? I just
couldn't imagine getting so close to being electrified.

It's safe since anti-static wrist straps have 1 megaohm of resistance
in series with the plug to prevent serious shock in case of accidental
connection to 120VAC But don't try that without first verifying the
resistance with an ohmmeter because in today's world dangerous
counterfeit products are everywhere.

The safest way to use an anti-static strap is by connecting it to the
chassis, with the chassis unplugged from any AC outlet. Not all work
benches are grounded.

 

[Phisherman]

I saw some instruction video where a anti-static strap used by a Mac
technician is plugged into a power outlet to be ground, instead of
attaching to a computer chassis. Does that actually work? I just
couldn't imagine getting so close to being electrified.

It works, but I prefer being grounded to the chassis. I've seen many
technicians keep one hand on the chassis instead of wearing the
anti-static strap. Another good practice is to lightly spray your
clothes with water 10 minutes before you start working.

 

[Al Dykes]

It's safe since anti-static wrist straps have 1 megaohm of resistance
in series with the plug to prevent serious shock in case of accidental
connection to 120VAC But don't try that without first verifying the
resistance with an ohmmeter because in today's world dangerous
counterfeit products are everywhere.

The safest way to use an anti-static strap is by connecting it to the
chassis, with the chassis unplugged from any AC outlet. Not all work
benches are grounded.

Safe for you or the computer ?

I get nervous plugging a wrist strap into a random power socket on
customer location. In my own shop, fine.

I always unplug the chassis and when I use the strap I connect it to
the chassis. It's rare, these days. I'll use it when I'm inserting
or removing a CPU or a very expensive memory chip.

I always grab the chassis metal with my left hand while holding the
part in my right, before I plug a PCI card or memory card into a mobo.
That will put me, holding the part, at the same potential as the
chassis before the part comes close to the mobo.

 

[Al Dykes]

It works, but I prefer being grounded to the chassis. I've seen many
technicians keep one hand on the chassis instead of wearing the
anti-static strap. Another good practice is to lightly spray your
clothes with water 10 minutes before you start working.

I've worked on PCs in carpeted offices where you couldn't do
*anything* without making a spark.

Fabric softener works great in this situation. You can buy big spritz
bottles of it for cheap and an application lasts several days.

 

[sbb78247]

I take it you have no Clean Room, or Anti Static Training, as if so,
you would understand that the plug used to connect the lead to the
persons wrist strap, and to the plug has only 1 metal, conductive
lead, THE EARTH. As the table is also conductive, and EARTHED, and
the ANTI-STATIC mats are also at the same EARTH potential,
theoretically no STATIC can jump from the Person or machinery. Not
sure of how the US plugs are as I'm from the UK, but with ours the
EARTH is Always at the top of a plug, and our Strap leads plug into
this area. Making identification quite easy.
Believe yours are very similar, only smaller with round pins.

Not your fault to assume what you mistook when seeing the video, as
this can be seen much better with the plug unplugged, so you can see
the pins, and in colour to show that there is only one conductive pin.

Yes it does work, but for most, using the method you suggested is
better, as not all can afford the fully grounded work stations, so
grounding to the PC normally suffices.

Hope this helps

yea, but it would be kina funny to see one of the bunny suit ****chops fry

 

[Guest]

Safe for you or the computer ?

Safer for you (no chance of 120VAC shock).

I get nervous plugging a wrist strap into a random power socket on
customer location. In my own shop, fine.

Unless there's over 600V, any properly made anti-static strap (has at
least 1 megaohm in series) is safe to connect to any prong of an AC
outlet.

I always unplug the chassis and when I use the strap I connect it to
the chassis. It's rare, these days. I'll use it when I'm inserting
or removing a CPU or a very expensive memory chip.

I always grab the chassis metal with my left hand while holding the
part in my right, before I plug a PCI card or memory card into a mobo.
That will put me, holding the part, at the same potential as the
chassis before the part comes close to the mobo.

I lay everything out on a rubber anti-static mat and wear short sleeves
(allows discharge through elbows). Unfortunately, mats aren't cheap
(someone else paid for mine), but cheap substitutes are pink foam or
pink bubble wrap, both which are anti-static.

Don't blame me. I voted for Gore.

Speaking of coked-up crooked George W., where can I buy a put option on
the world? I want to cash in before he blows it up.

 

[DaveW]

NOT a good idea. Attach to the computer case.