Anti-static wrist bands and working on computers

[rgb1]

Decided to ask in this section, seems it's more a preventative hardware problem.

While at the pub pondering things with mates, as you do lol the subject got onto ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) wrist bands.

Some used a simple connect the clip to the chassis.
Some did the above but kept the power cord of the PC plugged into the mains but not on obviously at the wall switch.
One had a ESD mat that connects direct to a wall socket.
A couple said "I don't bother with any of that malarkey while working inside a PC"
Myself I use a standard modified household plug with the earth clip of the wrist band connected to the earth terminal, no live or neutral connected. (OTT?)


The discussion got interrupted with "what a load of bollocks, no need" at various stages lol.

Soooooo what's your train of thoughts on all this, is there a best practice?

[supraman54]

I go with your method and the motto better safe than sorry .. I have worked for companies that have different procedures. my current one never uses anti static method when handling system cards
whilst my previous company showed training material that had components destroyed by a static discharge and insisted on mats and croc clips onto chassis points
Carry on as you are.. you have to accept that a house earth is bonded and at a good earth potential of course

supe

[BertRoot]

Always earth myself on the radiator and leave it plugged in so I can touch the case if I feel I need to.

[consoles]

20+ years working/fixing/building computers and never killed any ram etc with static never used anti static straps either.

[DejaVu]

I subconsciously touch the frame of a PC or laptop to discharge myself. But to blame static for killing a component is bollox IMO.

Static charge can get held, hence the 30 second hold Power button trick. Shorting a component through static discharge I believe is a myth or old wives tail.

ESD is an excuse, not a fact IMO.

--edit
Great thread BTW.
Always wondered this myself!!

[burner1]

I've worked for a lot of companies with different policies on the issue. Recall watching some scientific microscopic stuff about how static can deteriorate components over time rather than a simple one off blow out.

[Over Carl]

I've carried counteless computer cards, ram, hard drives in my pockets without any bag and only ever lost a couple of items that were probably more likely due to being hit.

I even remember upgrading my mobo cache on a 486 board and putting all the chips in the wrong way round. Smoke was pouring off them all but they still worked fine when it was shut down and the chips put the right way in.

I remember I used to have a crude strap I made myself - plug with live and neutral pins removed, approx 20m of cable that I linked to a wristband. Ended up losing it and wasn't too bothered as it wasn't the most comfortable thing. Now I don't bother taking ESD precautions and seem to get away with it, but I still believe it can damage parts.

[GedR]

Been working repairing PC's for over 20 years and never used anti-stat wristbands and never killed a component yet. As a matter of interest I had a system come in that had been hit by lightning about 12 years ago. The lightning had come in down the phone cable and into the PCI internal modem. This resulted in a fried modem and a hole in the motherboard about three inches wide. The interesting thing is that although the modem and motherboard were toast all the other components including the ram, CPU, hard drive and PSU were fine. To be honest I was astounded but the system continued to be used for another year or two.
Having said that I had another similar one some time later that had no visible damage yet everything including the hard drive was dead. Managed to retrieve the data by replacing the PCB on drive.

[evilsatan]

My workbench is covered in antistatic mat, there is one connection to hook it up to the mains earth pin and another to connect my wristband to. I use it out of habit as I'd rather be safe than sorry and working for Toshiba you had to follow ESD protocol.