How are you supposed to repair while avoiding electrostatic discharge?

I've looked at various web pages and forums and there seem to be a lot of opinions on how you are supposed to make repairs to a computer while avoiding damage from static electricity.

First of all, there seems to be a difference between a desktop computer and a laptop computer. For a desktop computer, you could just wear an anti-static wrist band and then attach it to the metal chassis. But apparently most laptops don't have a metal chassis. So what would you attach the anti-static wrist band to if you are working on a laptop?

Second of all, some people say that you should leave the computer plugged into the outlet, that way it remains grounded and any static electricity that has accumulated on your body can dissipate by going to the ground. But I have seen other people say that you should unplug the computer to eliminate any chance of electrocution. So should you unplug the computer or leave it plugged in? Is it also necessary to turn off the power supply (I guess for a laptop that would mean removing the battery)?

Third, some people say that grounding the computer isn't necessary at all. They say the only thing necessary is for you to touch the computer so that the charge potential between you and the computer is equalized. Once equalized, there won't be any static discharges as you touch the computer. So what if you have a RAM module (or some other component) sitting next to the computer and you want to install it in the computer? You touch the computer and equalize the charge potential between you and the computer... but then wouldn't there be a static discharge when you pick up the RAM module, since it is at a different charge potential than you and the computer?

 

Do not leave it plugged in, and definitely take the battery out. After the battery is out, also press the power button to discharge anything left in the capacitors, etc.


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If you wanted to go very thoroughly at it, you could place the laptop on an ESD mat and wear a wristband grounded to the same source as the mat so that you and pretty much everything on the mat would be at the same potential.

In the case of a laptop, definitely make sure it isn't plugged in, when you crack it open, you run the risk of powering it on by accident and shorting something if power is supplied, hence why unplugged and battery removed.

Make sure to properly ground yourself before you do any handling of the laptop to repair/swap components, but that's all you should need to do honestly.

 

In electronics companies, two common precautions are:

1) ESD mat as mentioned earlier. These are often grounded by being plugged into a wall socket.

2) ESD footwear, with which the surface you are standing on must be grounded.

 

Um, not quite plugged in - connected to the ground pin of the socket maybe, but not all three pins...

 

Also, don't do work on carpet and don't wear things that can build up charge (socks, sweaters, etc.).

Personally, I just hold my hand on a grounded surface (like my desktop) for ~10 seconds (and touch it again every so often), in addition to holding the laptop's power button for ~10sec, removing the battery, etc. I usually skip the ESD band, though I do have one if I feel like I need it.

 

I just make sure I ground myself first... i.e. touch grounded metal. Unless the air is really dry or you're doing a long repair session it is unlikely you will gain enough static in your body to cause any damage or any shock at all. Just don't work on carpet or linoleum.