Are ESD wristbands worth it?

Question

My friend and a computer shop owner told me their unnecessary. They told me to just touch the case.

Are they necessary though? BTW the only ones I can find locally are cheap $5 ones that have no English (chinese) on the back. However it looks real with fabric, crocodile clamp etc etc...

Is touching the case really work as efficiently as a wristband? I know cheap Anti-ESD wristbands yeild almost same results as regular ones, but die out quicker because of their fabric.

Answer 1

yes... touch the case...just freaking touch the case

the chance of you hitting something are slim even if you dont touch the case

touching the case normalizes your body with the parts in the computer, so there's no chance of a static charge jumping between you and your motherboard.

every nerd knows this....just touch the metal of the case :D

Answer 2

It depends on how sensitive the equipment you are working on is, but get ready for mixed answers!
Touching the case of a plugged in and properly grounded computer case is just as good, but only for a period of time.
The ESD keeps a constant ground connection so you don't have to worry about it. Touching the case discharges you, but if you become re-charged, you could inadvertently touch something and discharge to it. Personally, I've never used them, and have been building computers and servers for 20 years, and have never had a problem. I would just do smart things, though, like....don't work on computers while standing on carpet :) If you do happen to take a break, or something, and walk across carpet, just make sure you touch the grounded case or some other large hunk of grounded metal before continuing.

Answer 3

Most of the time, touching the case is enough. But if I were working with a replacement CPU board or something else that has a greater than normal sensitivity to static (i.e. very much more delicate than normal), the wrist strap is not a bad idea. Particularl in cold, dry air.

Answer 4

Touch the metal case, but do not touch anything or move your feet or legs or behind if you are sitting because you'll just generate more static electricity. And make sure you are touching the unfinished part of the case... if you touch the painted side, it won't do anything.

Answer 5

I don't think they are absolutely necessary if you remember to keep yourself grounded, but it's good insurance in case you get distracted. I always use it when working on computer parts. I use the cheap type and it works fine.

Answer 6

I don't use one, I touch the case first, ALWAYS! I start by washing my hands with warm water, and soap! You'd think surgery was goin' on! Not about to kiss a $1200.00 processor goodbye because of a small mistake!
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3451428
I should invest in a wrist strap though,(scratching chin, looking upward)