Ok, I have no exposed pipes to ground to, the ones under the sink are to far back, very awkward to ground he wristband to.

Would it be fine if I didn't ground it as long as I am not on carpet?

Would an Electric Heat Register work?

What about simply sitting in a metal chair?

I've never grounded myself, and I've been on carpet before. I just don't see it as that big of a deal, but don't take my word for it on the chances of it damaging something.

Plug in the PC, but turn off the power switch on the power supply, then attach the wristband to the PC case.

Plug the power supply in, touch case before grabbing a component to put it in.

I've been building computers on carpet for the last 7 years and I have never had a discharge strap.

Just don't walk around scuffling your feet in the winter and the above should be more than enough. (Even if you did scuffle. )

If you're building them for other people, then I would definitely use a strap.

Well it appears the motherboard came with absolutely no screws! thats just great,no one needs screws or anything to put it in. :brokencomputer:

All mine, but even if they were not I still wouldn't. All they offer is to get in my way.

As long as your PSU is plugged in and you touch the case every other time you are doing the exact same thing, minus the annoying dangly bit.

P.S.



Any PC store will have them for cheap. One store here as them free in a jar on the counter.

Dont have a pc store here. They should have came with.

Just make sure your case is grounded (by putting the PSU in, and plugging in the PSU, but leaving it off), and then periodically touch the case (or always touch it) if you don't have a wrist strap to attach to it. Don't wear very soft, fibrous clothes, and work on a hardwood floor, or table if possible. Don't stand on carpet, or work on carpet, and don't touch any pins on components when handling them (especially CPU and RAM). Where I live, humidity is between 90 and 100% every day, so I don't have to worry about it too much, but I always plug in the PSU and put it in the case, and touch it every once in a while. And I have this one stupid shirt that always makes me static-y, so I avoid it. When I wear it, I can hear the static if I run my hand through my hair.

I have built systems on carpet in socks before and not used the strap, it just gets in the way. I usually just grab the case, with PSU unplugged, and go about whatever I need to go. I have never lost a component before, though it doesn't mean I may not in the future but for now I have not.

If its unplugged that means you aren't grounded at all, even by touching the case.
That's really bad practice.


The point isn't whether or not touching the case is enough, the point is that if you're working on someone's computer (even if they aren't paying for it), then you should be professional and make sure you take all the precautions that you can.
Static damage isn't something that you can just go "oh, thats static damage", so if you do irreparable damage to someones computer then there isn't any way for them to trace it back to you and get the fair compensation they deserve. Which for me at least is a reason to be as cautious as possible.

Is it true that touching the wall is enough to discharge?

I don't build for others so it's not an issue anyway. I do hand my old rigs down to my friends though. All still working years later. :shrug:

P.S.

I think it's note worthy to mention I do live on the west coast. (High humidity.) Meaning static build up is a lot less likely than say, Ontario in the winter.