Anti-static wristband - What does the metal clip attach to?

It's a stupid question but I'll ask it anyway since static electricity is a real threat to dust cleaning.

I've bought a simple anti-static wristband which consists of a wristband and an extendable wire with a metallic clip. What does the clip have to attach to in order to ensure I don't risk frying any electronics?

 

Usual a water pipe, tap/forcet or radiator or a metal pole driven into the ground, but it has to have a good connection, so bare metal.

John.

 

Basically, anything metallic that's also connected to the ground?

 

Ideally, yes. A desktop case can do if you don't have access to anything better (if you're working on said desktop), you will at least stay at the same electrical level as your case. For a laptop though, you can't really attach it to the chassis so fins something metallic connected to the ground. The metal pipe in the ground is the most efficient method and it is what labs working with explosives use to prevent static discharges from starting an explosion so you can be sure that it works.

 

I built my desktop without an anti-static wristband, probably not a good decision but it worked out. I noticed that most components' installation instructions suggested attaching the wristband to the chassis. I also noticed that, aside from the screws, there wasn't an unpainted metal surface in my chassis. Would paint impede the conductivity enough to render the wristband negligible or useless, or would a painted portion of the chassis be an acceptable grounding point for future maintenance?

In case you're curious, my grounding solution was to build the computer on a wooden table on a tile surface while sitting on a wooden chair in my underwear (less fabric to work up excess static ), and touching the chrome handlebars of my bike at every free opportunity. Really, the worst thing I did building the computer was probably using 75% purity isopropyl alcohol to clean the stock TIM off the CPU cooler - it was so ineffective that I ended up putting a couple microscopic scratches in the copper with my q-tips in the effort to clean all the gunk off. Haven't had any issues, but I'll be seeking out the purer stuff if I redo thermal paste, even if I have to buy it online here.

 

I have used one before and found it to get in my way and be more of a problem than a help.

I have built over a dozen computers from scratch without one and never had an issue. I do however always ground myself before sitting down to work.

I think as long as your smart about your workflow and observant to what your doing that they are not needed for normal computer work.

 

If you're not going to use an ESD band, touching a grounded object for a second or two every so often will take care of the static electricity. Whenever I do bother putting one on, it's pretty much on the desktop case only, since I don't really have anywhere else to put one :/

 

I'd guess the other guys at work might have something against that...

Whenever I open a computer, be it a laptop or a desktop, before touching the actual components I make sure to touch frame or case or whatever there is to discharge possible static. Never pass components from hand to hand, instead put them on the table and let the other guy pick it up. Also when I change components, I first touch the computer and whenever possible keep touching it all the time while I unbox the part and install it.

Basically you want to be on the same ground as the computer. Grounding yourself won't help if the computer case has some static built in, you'll still fry the component in your hand when you stick it in the computer. That's why you are supposed to ground the computer too.

Put an anti-static mat on the table and attach wristband on it. Something as these:
Anti-static ESD Mats, Wrist Straps, Heel Straps, and Testers especially those Field Service Mats seem worthy to carry around in the tool bag, I'm still planning to get one some day...

 

Yes if your gonna ground it to your desktop case make sure the power cable is plugged in the socket, and the PSU switch in the OFF position (if your working on it)

Every modern household will have an electrode driven to the ground as a safety measure. This grounding pretty much goes all over the house, you just need to find a point.

eg, Most metal cased appliances will be grounded through the power socket. Basically should a live wire come loose inside and touch the metal case, it will be redirected to ground instead of an electrocution

Double check the power cable has 3 pins. If it only has 2 then its not grounded.

 

^ glad someone mentioned the case with a connected, grounded power cable.

personally, have never had a problem, I just touch one of my other desktops before starting work on a build. I'm told that your local climate, specifically humidity, plays a big part in how much of a problem static will be. Someone with actual science knowledge can confirm or deny.

 

The Shocking Truth Behind Static Electricity | LiveScience

 

ESD will unlikely kill components instantly but it can degrade its lifespan.

Components like MOSFET's are extremely sensitive to ESD's

 

I constantly pull apart desktops and servers and work and never bothered with a anti-static wristband.

They aren't worth the time imo.

 

Meh, I've had my laptop apart more times than I can count.

I usually make sure I touch the grounding area around one of the screws to equalize myself to the board, but there been times I haven't bothered. I usually end up bonded to the same area through the case screws and the screwdriver so I'm usually equalized with the board by the time I get the case open anyways.

Been pulling it apart since 2003 and it still runs fine.....

 

Keys to ruducing ESD is to not work on carpet, hard flooring if you can. Also the clothing you wear makes a big difference. Avoid polyester.

I had a really old laptop and this was an excellent example of how big esd can be. I used to always wear basketball shorts as a kid and when I would walk across my room and come back to my laptop, i would reach out to touch my computer and the ESD would arc across to my computer, turning it off.

If you do wear a grounding strap, you can connect the alligator clip to the hot water piper on a water heater or something similar.