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Where To Connect ESD Wrist Strap?

LoveOC

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I used to connect it to a metal surface which is touching the ground or the house heating radiator,
Is that wrong?
 

Ebo

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nope, all you need is direct contact to some metal thats grounded.
 
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Radiators are generally grounded so no problem but if you have a multimeter with continuity check function you can check it out
 
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It must be connected via 1Mohm resistor to the ground... not directly!!
 
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the54thvoid

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I've wrapped my bare toes around a copper radiator pipe before. Then I stopped altogether caring about ESD.
 

LoveOC

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It must be connected via 1Mohm resistor to the ground... not directly!!
It is a cheap ESD wrist strap from ebay, how could i check if it has the resistor? Also if it dont, where is the problem, it wont ground?
 
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It is a cheap ESD wrist strap from ebay, how could i check if it has the resistor? Also if it dont, where is the problem, it wont ground?

Isn't it mentioned on the specs?
I don't know if a ohmeter can be useful in this case, if you have one you can use one probe in the connector and another on the skin contact area and see if it measures that
 

LoveOC

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Isn't it mentioned on the specs?
I don't know if a ohmeter can be useful in this case, if you have one you can use one probe in the connector and another on the skin contact area and see if it measures that
No, it isn't mentioned.I have a ohmeter, so i will try it, if it measure zero then it dont have a resistor right?
It will not work properly without the resistor?
 
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No. It is meant for protecting you from death.

The resistor should reside in a special distribution box attached to ground The strap attaches to it like a push button.
 
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No, it isn't mentioned.I have a ohmeter, so i will try it, if it measure zero then it dont have a resistor right?
It will not work properly without the resistor?
Correct, if it measures 0 then there is not resistor and in that case you should get an external one. You can try it just in case, we're talking about security issues!
I think the resistor is for security reasons to avoid being shocked you can get more info here http://www.circuitnet.com/experts/87211.html

For example this one
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00530GDHG/?tag=tec06d-20

Has a 1MOHM bult-in resistor as specified in the specs
I think most of them should have it.
 
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lol.jpg
 
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I've never ever heard of any component being damaged by static.

Unless you have nylon carpets I wouldn't worry about it too much.
 
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I prefer to take safety precautions. ;-)
If you want to be extra careful then no reason why not :)

Some man made fibres generate a static charge from friction which can be a problem (which is why I mentioned carpet) but all you have to do is earth yourself before touching the component. If you do have static you will get a small shock as you earth yourself!
 

LoveOC

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Also, one last thing, because i have a european power outlet which have two clips which i think are for grounding, is it a good idea to connect my esd to one of those clips?
 
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I've never ever heard of any component being damaged by static.

Unless you have nylon carpets I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Some time ago I did have a old video card (a 9500GT) that worked correctly and wanted to experiment if it still worked after:
  • touching it everywhere without discharging nor anything and with good static clothes (those that make sparking noises when taken out)
  • throw it on a regular plastic bag without a antistatic bag
  • throw it on a backpack, without a antistatic bag.
It still worked like new, without any apparent long term damage.
Anyway always is better to take precautions, and I always ground myself (with my case plugged in but the switch on the off position) and in some cases, completely naked, never has any issue.

Also, one last thing, because i have a european power outlet which have two clips which i think are for grounding, is it a good idea to connect my esd to one of those clips?

Yes, if your socket is correctly wired, those clips are ground points and you can plug your wrist strap to any clip, proving it has the resistor :)
 

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apply directly to forehead.

seriously i build all my systems on carpet and have zero problems - its been a non issue for decades.

Bad techs use static as an excuse when they have no idea what broke, but still want to get paid.
 
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apply directly to forehead.

seriously i build all my systems on carpet and have zero problems - its been a non issue for decades.

Bad techs use static as an excuse when they have no idea what broke, but still want to get paid.
You will not lose anything for grounding yourself :)

IMO ESD is a real threat but that happens more rarely than is commonly taught as newer hardware is more ESD resistant
 

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You will not lose anything for grounding yourself :)

IMO ESD is a real threat but that happens more rarely than is commonly taught as newer hardware is more ESD resistant
i dropped two second gen I7 CPU's on carpet yesterday and kicked them across the floor. zero issues.

IMO its always been physical damage (snagging in carpet breaks off resistor, solder, etc) blamed on ESD, and not ESD itself thats killed things.
 
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i dropped two second gen I7 CPU's on carpet yesterday and kicked them across the floor. zero issues.

IMO its always been physical damage (snagging in carpet breaks off resistor, solder, etc) blamed on ESD, and not ESD itself thats killed things.
Read my post ( #17 )about the experiment with the 9500GT and the results :)
You're right in that hardware is more resistent than is commonly taught.
But as I said, you'll lose nothing to ground yourself :)
 
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Benchmark Scores Faster than yours... I'd bet on it. :)
nope, all you need is direct contact to some metal thats grounded.
It doesn't need to be grounded, actually. So long as you normalize the potential, there isn't a risk. Meaning, I touch an ungrounded case then grab the part in question, your potential is normalized/same.

I haven't used a ground strap in ages.
 
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Over the last 20 or so years, I have built well over 100 PC's - I've never bothered with being grounded or static discharge and have yet to damage a component because of it.
 
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If you're that concerned about ESD, then roll up your sleeves a bit and rest your skin on the computer case while building.
 
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