ESD Mat/ESD Wrist Strap. How many MSI DIYers use them?

So I work with electronics on occasion and the subject of ESD damage came up. I am wondering how many of you use them. I was surprised to find that most of the people I work with don't think its a big enough problem to spend 50 dollars on.

What are your thoughts and do you use one?

 

Edit: oops wrong forum.

 

A lot of people that don't probably should, but then laptops are predominantly made up of plastic, so sometimes an extra ground conductor is required for the clip. It's a good idea to have something that reduces the potential for ESD damage, although one can generally get away with no special gear by working on (a table or work bench) and standing on surfaces that aren't prone to build up a charge (tile or linoleum floors, for example).

 

For the pros we tend to use special floors and benches with conductive surfaces meaning a strap is not needed. For home use a strap is cheap and can protect parts that cost thousands.

 

I build at home and use it all the time.

 

I hear that a lot, but from my ESD training at my workplace, they said that even with standing on different surfaces, serious ESD damage can occur. From what I understand, the human body can build up 10K volts at extremely low amps by just moving around, but I am not sure if that is due to clothing or whatnot. They also said that static discharge can occur depending on the water content in the air and that even at rest our bodies can build potential energy in the right condition. They showed us microscopic chips from Aviation Electronics equipment. It looked like a lightning bolt was shot through it. I am guilty of not using them for home use, but I haven't had any noticeable effects from them yet. Before I used to know about ESD damage, I used to build my machines on carpet!!!! They never failed though. Now I live up in the northwest and we are constantly shocking each other if we get up and move, so it's been on my mind more lately.

 

Yes, there are several environmental variables to take into account. You're right about that. ESD is a silent killer, though it's not very prolific. The exception isn't the rule, however; simply because ESD seldom results in any kind of failure isn't a good reason for no precautions to be taken. That's like driving a vehicle with no license or insurance because you haven't had an accident in 3 years.

 

I agree, I just think it's funny that I take every precaution at work for about 5 years now and at home, I don't, until recently...also, I have no idea what damage has been done to my computers over the years. The occasional unexplainable BSOD may have been due to some type of damage from building computers on the carpet, or when I got that processor that everyone else could overclock and I couldn't...

 

Aye, ESD can rear its head in very subtle and intermittent ways. But hey, live and learn, right?