I am about to help my brother build a computer, and I have a question about static electricity/safety.?

Question

I know it is really bad if you discharge electricity straight into your motherboard, however I have long lost my little rubber band thing. I was wondering if I took a wire and attached it to a rubber band, and then to a metal clip on the other end and attached it to metal, would that ground me and my brother? With the rubber band being on our arms of course.

ok thanks guys. btw ive built many cases so im not worried about the actual process of building it, i just dont want to completely desrtoy his computer cause in the past i always had that little rubber wrist strap.

Answer 1

Hello:

Static electricity control is not as much about grounding as it is keeping you and the electronics at the same potential. Here's what I recommend:

You can use just a plain wire to connect you and the computer chassis together. If you do that, you can make a loop and put your wrist through the loop. If you do that, however, do NOT plug the PC power supply into the wall socket. Wrist straps have a high resistance, like a megohm, in the wire or strap itself. That's so that if you accidentally come in contact with a lethal potential you won't be electrocuted. But if you keep the PC unplugged from the wall outlet, then you won't need to worry about that danger.

Remember, keeping static electricity under control is about keeping you and the PC electronics at the same electrical potential. You don't need earth ground to do that. All you need is a piece of wire connecting you and the PC chassis. The shorter, the better. And it helps if you use stranded wire that has a lot of conductors in it. I sometimes use a test lead from my DMM for that purpose.

Hope that helps.

Cheers!

Answer 2

who as been feeding u that mush...

I have been building computers for years and never used a earth wire..

Read the MB Manual. First make sure you understand it ,,,, now all you need to do is touch the metal case before you touch the motherboard,,

make sure the spacers are in the right position for the motherboard holes before you move the MB into position. hold the mb by the edges or the cpu fan.... don't tighten the MB screws to tight, just turn the screws till you feel it stop follow the manuals instructions step by step

Answer 3

I've been constructing computer systems all my lifestyles and certainly not used something however my fingers! Im certain a few individuals will say get that anti static nonsense! But I promise in case you retailer your cash and use your palms you wont have a trouble! Whether you construct on carpet on wood flooring and even in a bucket of nails! You will have to be k with out the gloves

Answer 4

ummm.....well, you really don't need to do that....., just discharge yourself by touching any metal available on your place, e.g. door, window, etc before touching any of your PC devices, then touch/hold your chassis for a while, by this, you make the static charge on your body and on the chasis equal and prevent form surges due to un-equal static charge.