Electricity is nothing to fool around with. So, grounding yourself is important while building a PC. It not only protects yourself but also your PC components.
You are only safe till you plug in the main power supply of your PC. Once you test your components with a PSU that draws power from the wall, you are at a high risk of contacting a “static discharge”.
A static discharge is leftover electrical energy in the circuit that gets transferred from the components, cables, surfaces or the headers and ports to your body. It can harm you or your PC parts.
In this article, we’ll go over ways to grounding yourself. Following that, you’ll find various safety measures to prevent accidents. Finally, I’ll address some of the most commonly made mistakes.
Contents
How To Ground Yourself When Building A PC?
1. Use Static-free Metal Surface
Metals have high conductivity for electricity. Upon touching metal, any static charges present on your body get transferred to it, equalizing the charge between your body and the metal. This can occur even without direct contact with the ground.
However, if you touch a metal object that is also connected to the earth, all the static electricity will flow directly from your body to the ground.
2. Ground Yourself with a Wrist Strap
Anti-static wristbands or straps are safety bands designed to discharge static charges that accumulate on your body.
These bands feature conductive components on each end, comprising a wire or metal band on one side and a metal clip or loop on the other. Their purpose is to effectively neutralize static electricity and prevent damage to sensitive electronic components.
3. Work on Anti-Static Mat
Always place everything on an ESD mat, also known as an antistatic mat. It is a protective covering surface that guards both individuals and equipment against static electricity discharges.
Available in various sizes, these mats are commonly positioned on the floor or workstations. They can be tailored to suit specific setups, such as a standard workbench or desk.
4. DIY an ESD Strap
You can make your own ESD or antistatic strap using some simple materials. Here is how you can do it.
Steps to DIY an ESD Strap:
Step 1: Get a flexible wire with an appropriate length for your needs.
Step 2: Remove the outer PVC layer from both ends to reveal the conductive copper layer. Ensure that the length of the exposed copper is sufficient to wrap around a metal surface.
Step 3: Secure one end of the wire to your wrist, allowing the exposed copper layer to come into contact with your skin. Make sure it stays securely attached.
Step 4: Afterward, wrap the other end with the exposed conductive copper layer around an unpainted metal surface.
This method works exactly like how antistatic straps or bands work.
5. Go Barefoot
The most effective method to minimize static is by going barefoot on a solid surface like wood, laminate, vinyl, or tile.
Avoid wearing socks, as friction can lead to static buildup. You can wear rubber slippers if you are not comfortable being barefooted.
Regardless of the surface and what you are wearing on your feet, it’s essential to keep your feet planted and avoid unnecessary movement, as unnecessary motion can escalate static buildup.
6. Keep Contact with PC Case
Keeping contact with the PC case helps the static discharge to flow through your body to a metal surface, as metal is a good conductor of electricity. This way, you allow the static energy to flow through your body instead of stopping it.
7. Earthing Method
An effective method to stay grounded is to secure a conductive wire like copper around your wrist or toe and then fasten the other end to an unpainted metal object connected to the ground.
This approach is especially useful when you lack access to a hard surface for your work and have the necessary materials readily available.
Safety Measures To Take Against Static Discharge
1. Prepare a Static-Free Surface
Always use a wooden surface for the placement of your PC. If your PC table is made of other materials like metal or ceramic, make sure the surface you mount your PC on has a layer of wood on top of it, as wood is static-free.
Make sure that the surface is clean and tidy. Remove all the dust, dirt or grease if it is any on the surface before you start assembling the components.
2. Get an Anti-Static Mat
For a seamless PC building process and to safeguard yourself and the components against electrostatic discharge (ESD) issues, you must get an anti-static mat.
These mats, made mostly from anti-static materials like rubber, come with an integrated wire and alligator clip, which effectively dissipates any static electricity.
You can ensure its safety during assembly by simply placing your computer tower or hardware on the mat. The mat comes with a port that has a button on its side.
The mat often comes with a cord featuring a clip at one end and a connector on the other, which can be plugged into the port on the mat.
Follow these Quick Steps:
Step 1: Unwrap the anti-static mat on the surface.
Step 2: Fix the connector at one end and the cord to the port on the mat.
Step 3: Attach the clip to an unpainted metal surface.
Step 4: Wear your anti-static wristband and attach its clip to the mat.
3. Change To Static-free Clothing
You might remember when you experienced static energy after wearing wool or synthetic clothing. It is highly recommended to wear cotton while assembling electrical components.
To be extra sure, try using a tumble dryer with a dryer sheet specifically designed to reduce static buildup when drying your clothes.
4. Humidify the Air
Static electricity becomes more problematic in dry environments. If you live in dry weather conditions, particularly during winter when central heating is active, you can counter this issue by utilizing a humidifier to raise the moisture levels in the air.
Alternatively, a more budget-friendly option involves placing a damp cloth on a warm radiator or positioning a water bowl in front of a fan. However, ensure the fan is kept away from your computer to prevent any moisture from reaching its components.
5. Avoid Working on Carpets
Try avoiding surfaces like mattresses or carpets because they cause a faster build-up of energy. If you live in a house that is wholly carpeted, then make minimal movements and always use an anti-static wristband.
In short, all you have to do is locate a static-free surface and ensure proper grounding to avoid any ESD (electrostatic discharge) issues while working on your PC. In terms of flooring, it’s best to steer clear of carpets if you can.
Instead, opt for wooden, tiled, or stone surfaces, as they pose less risk of static compared to carpets when opening up your PC.
6. Place All Components in Anti-Static Bags
An antistatic bag works as a special packaging material intended to safeguard sensitive electrical components from the effects of static electricity.
Made of mainly plastic polyethylene terephthalate, these bags are specifically utilized for storing and transporting electrostatic-sensitive equipment.
Place all your components in these antistatic bags when you are not using them.
Common Mistakes To Avoid While PC Building
- Don’t move around much: Restrict your movements as excessive movements, especially around static materials, can cause static buildup.
- Avoid eating or drinking: Avoid eating or drinking anything during the whole process to maintain cleanliness and focus in the process.
- Ensure to disconnect the power: Make sure the main power supply from the wall is turned off and preferably disconnected from the PSU.
- Clean and dry hands while working: Keep your hands clean and dry when you work. Keep a dry cloth around to keep your hands clean.
- Remove accessories from your hands: Remove accessories or jewelry from your body if you are wearing any.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, destatic yourself is important when you are building a PC. You must allow the static energy to flow through a metal surface to the ground.
Touch a metal surface before touching any of your components. Do it every few minutes to remove static energy from your body.
The clip or wire should be connected to a grounded item, such as a metal case, screw, or power supply. By doing so, any static charge accumulated in your body will be redirected to the ground, preventing it from affecting your motherboard.
Components like the motherboard, CPU, RAM, hard drive, SSD, and expansion cards are vulnerable to static electricity.
You can touch any metal surface that is connected to the ground to ground yourself as metal is a good conductor of electrical energy and it will allow the static energy to flow through your body onto the metal surface.
The best way to ground yourself is to wear an antistatic wristband. It wraps around your wrist and connects to a metal clip or wire. The clip or wire should be attached to a grounded object, such as a metal case, a screw, or a power supply.
Conclusion
A set of safety equipment is very important to avoid any accident. Apart from the safety equipment and screwdrivers, you can also keep a small torch and cleaning cloth handy. This equipment helps you build your PC safely and securely.
Are you looking for ways to ground yourself when building a computer? Here they are along with safety measures and common mistakes to avoid.
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