How to use an antistatic wrist band effectively? Dumb question, I know.
Damon Milhem
Hi. I just received my new motherboard in the mail and I'm about to
install it. I also bought an anti-static wristband with an alligator clip
on the end. The band came with no instructions. Here comes the dumb
question: How do I use this thing? I know I should just clip it onto the
computer's case, but does the computer need to be plugged in for the wrist
band to function? I'd prefer to have the computer unplugged while I work
on it, but I'm not sure that I see how I could be grounded if I unplug the
cord. But what do I know? Thanks for the advice!
Matt Wright
Damon Milhem <dmi...@husc.harvard.edu> wrote in article
<33a6f4fd...@news.fas.harvard.edu>...
Ya it is kind of wierd, about where and how it clips...
I have seen it done this way... you take the power cord off the back of the
computer and clip the aligator clip on to the little prong that sticks out
of the plug on the computer that way you are grounded to the power
supply(which is what you want.)
Tom Sorensen
[This followup was posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.chips and a copy
was sent to the cited author.]
In article <33a6f4fd...@news.fas.harvard.edu>,
dmi...@husc.harvard.edu says...
> install it. I also bought an anti-static wristband with an alligator clip
> on the end. The band came with no instructions. Here comes the dumb
> question: How do I use this thing? I know I should just clip it onto the
Clip it to something large and metallic. If it's grounded it's even
better. Until I ripped the alligator clip off the end of mine (the Radio
Shack ones are really cheapo) I would clip it to the inward bend on the
edges of my tower case.
> computer's case, but does the computer need to be plugged in for the wrist
> band to function? I'd prefer to have the computer unplugged while I work
I leave my computer plugged in for the ground connection. Of course, if
the PS isn't grounded to the case then this doesn't do much. And, really,
all you need is a large metal sink for any excess static electricity or
other charge. If you feel safer with the case unplugged, then unplug it.
I would definitely unplug it when you plug the power supply into the
motherboard. Many modern power supplies won't power up without a load, so
you may think the system is off until you plug in the mobo...
J. G. Simpson
You need to be at the same potential as the case and it's internal
components, via the high resistance path built into the wrist strap,
so you clip the allegator clip to a sizeable area of clean case
structure, eg the drive cage or the case itself. In an ideal world
the case should also be at ground potential, so it's often recommended
to leave the power lead connected to a grounded power outlet (with the
power switched off and preferably, to be safe, the power outlet fuse
removed (so you don't accidentally switch it on) until you've
finished working inside. It's all too easy to reach for the power
switch to turn on a soldering iron or a piece of test equipment,
and turn on the wrong box by mistake.
Tom Sorensen (to...@mindspring.com) wrote:
: [This followup was posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.chips and a copy
--
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Jean Desrosiers
Damon,
The "proper" way to use a wrist strap at the most minimal level is to
keep your system plugged in (powered off naturally) or connect the case
to ground with a wire (clips OK) then clip your wrist band/wire to the
case. Then you can open the static bag and install your new motherboard
in your case. If you are replacing a motherboard, you should remove the
old motherboard and place it in a new static bag before opening the new
motherboard's bag. If you don't have a new static bag, then you sould
place the old motherboard on top of the case, install the new one and
place the old mobo in the bag the new board came in.
It is always the best thing to get a static mat if you intend to work
on your system a lot. The mat is a safe resting place for old boards
before opening the bags for the new boards. At the very least, use the
strap only to insure you discharge yourself completely and stay at the
same potential as your system. Many shops don't bother with static
protection and some even work on carpets!! I don't take chances with my
own systems, so why should I take chances with the systems of others?
Jean
>
> Hi. I just received my new motherboard in the mail and I'm about to
> install it. I also bought an anti-static wristband with an alligator clip
> on the end. The band came with no instructions. Here comes the dumb
> question: How do I use this thing? I know I should just clip it onto the
> computer's case, but does the computer need to be plugged in for the wrist
> band to function? I'd prefer to have the computer unplugged while I work
> on it, but I'm not sure that I see how I could be grounded if I unplug the
> cord. But what do I know? Thanks for the advice!
--
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Let's procrastinate... tomorrow
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http://newsfeed.sx.nec.com/~ynecjdr/index.html
j-...@bigfoot.com
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Howard Kaikow
Rather than use the el cheappo wrist straps with the crocidile clip, I use
a higher quality strap that actually plugs into the power cord. I got mine
from APS technologies (+1 800 223 7550). If you order it via their web
site (www.apstech.com), there is no shipping charge (but it then ships UPS
ground). As I recall, the price is $5.95.
In article <01bc7b64$4468dbc0$14ad68cf@k5>,
Matt Wright <mat...@pacbell.net> wrote:
>
>
>Damon Milhem <dmi...@husc.harvard.edu> wrote in article
><33a6f4fd...@news.fas.harvard.edu>...
>> Hi. I just received my new motherboard in the mail and I'm about to
>> install it. I also bought an anti-static wristband with an alligator
>clip
>> on the end. The band came with no instructions. Here comes the dumb
>> question: How do I use this thing? I know I should just clip it onto the
>> computer's case, but does the computer need to be plugged in for the
>wrist
>> band to function? I'd prefer to have the computer unplugged while I work
>> on it, but I'm not sure that I see how I could be grounded if I unplug
>the
>> cord. But what do I know? Thanks for the advice!
>>
>Ya it is kind of wierd, about where and how it clips...
>I have seen it done this way... you take the power cord off the back of the
>computer and clip the aligator clip on to the little prong that sticks out
>of the plug on the computer that way you are grounded to the power
>supply(which is what you want.)
>
--
Howard Kaikow
[Placeholder for more informative signature]
J. G. Simpson
It's ok to ground strap to power ground as long as the chassis
you are working on is grounded to the same ground. Via a conductive
bench mat is a good way, or just a ground lead. You grounded via
a high resistance strap and the box floating wrt ground is defeating
the object of the exercise. The rule is to dissipate the potential
between you and the box you are working on, if both are then tied
to ground via a high resistance so much the better. The wrist strap,
croc. clip to case, is the best place to start from. (see below)
Howard Kaikow (kai...@standards.com) wrote:
:
: Rather than use the el cheappo wrist straps with the crocidile clip, I use
: a higher quality strap that actually plugs into the power cord. I got mine
: from APS technologies (+1 800 223 7550). If you order it via their web
: site (www.apstech.com), there is no shipping charge (but it then ships UPS
: ground). As I recall, the price is $5.95.
:
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rossib
Plug it on to a NON-painted part of your case and keep your plug plugged
in. Very simple. This is the same if you don't use one. Touch a
NON-painted part of the case while it's plugged in and stay off rugs and
carpet..
Damon Milhem (dmi...@husc.harvard.edu) wrote:
: Hi. I just received my new motherboard in the mail and I'm about to
:
: