Build Assistance Pls

I know some of you will flame me for this, but until you study how easy it is to damage a component with static, you are dangerous to anyones computer you work on.

I used to think that just touching a case would be fine. Then I took a mandatory class at my job (Boeing Helicopters) when I was going to be installing and removing black boxes from the aircraft.

The class was on the dangers of electrostatic discharge to sensitive electronic components. I found out that even if you touch your case, you can still have enough static left in your body, or your clothes that can destroy your component. The item might even work for a month or so and seem fine, but what happened was that you caused microscopic damage and now after a period of time the voltage surges that happen every time you power up a system will cause it to fail. When I told my instructor that the common practice for most do it yourself computer builders was to just touch the case, he just shook his head and said " I know". Then he went on to explain how stupid it was to do that. He said that it only takes a couple of microvolts to destroy a component. And you can get that just by shaking your head and getting the static build up from your hair.

([FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica]LATENT FAILURES occur when ESD weakens or wounds the component to the point where it will still function properly during testing. However, over time the wounded component will cause poor system performance and eventually complete system failure.)[/FONT]

So to all of you that wonder why a component just seemed to fail out of nowhere. It's probably because you did not properly protect your system by grounding yourself and the case.

You should NEVER place your cards/devices on any metal or conductive table or case, you should never place your parts on anything plastic. Be aware that even though you have just touched your case, just moving around will cause more static to build up from the clothes you are wearing, especially if it is cold and you have your furnace turned on. The lower the humidity level the higher the instances of electrostatic buildup. Or on very hot low humidity days.

So even though you have removed your socks, the shirt or pants you are wearing will still build up static.

With out the case being grounded to a proper ground, when you touch the case releasing the static built up in your body, it has no where to go but into the case which can cause electrical components to short out, since more than likely it is sitting on your carpet, or on a table that has Formica or plastic on it.

It is best to ground yourself to a earthed/ground and NOT to your case. After all you want to get rid of the static before touching your parts or case.

Really, anyone that tells you it's ok to just touch the case, really does not have a clue about ESD (electro static discharge)

If you really want to do yourself and any customers you have a favor, set up a workstation that has multiple grounds.

While the following link is mostly for the military, it gives some good information.
http://www.dscc.dla.mil/Offices/packaging/ESDS.html


Here is a link that shows how to set up a workstation. While a ESD monitor is nice, for the common home setup I really do not think it is worth the cost. Ditto with the ones on the shoe.
http://www.newark.thinkhost.com/bra...lutions/How_to_install_an_ESD_Workstation.pdf


Other Links follow

http://www.static-sol.com/ESD_Solutions/ESD_Solutions.htm

http://www.static-sol.com/library/articles/ESD_damage.htm
 
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Thanks Mep.

I never used to use a strap either, and I guess I was lucky, but now I use not only a strap, but a anti static pad to sit my system on. Both grounded as described in that one link.

Why take a chance? It only costs a few dollars for both.
 
so if i build my computer naked, i will have a lesser chance of destroying something from electro static? and on a note about motherboards, i would say either the evga x58, or the foxconn bloodrage
 
Hey, do it the way you want to, I don't care. I was just trying to give you some information.

But I wonder how many items were returned to Newegg that were the fault of the person installing the item. How many DOA items have you had? Hmm?
 
I heard that if you install your power supply in the case, turn the switch on the back off, then plug it into your outlet. Then touching the case will ground you, will that really work?
 
you put it on your wrist, then plug it into the third hole on an electrical outlet(the little round hole on the bottom, so nobody gets electrocuted) and those boards are just good boards, if you're looking for other boards, just look at the asus p6t
 
just a noob said:
you put it on your wrist, then plug it into the third hole on an electrical outlet(the little round hole on the bottom, so nobody gets electrocuted) and those boards are just good boards, if you're looking for other boards, just look at the asus p6t
Click to expand...

Wow seriously? i dont quite understand how putting somethin on my wrist and plugging it into a socket gets rid of electricity but ok.

The last thing i need for my build is the motherboard, finding the one i want seems to be taking a while.

I have seen some good boards but all the videos that i watch about them say like "This board is for extreme overclockers.", and such. Ive never built a computer before and have never overclocked. would me buying something like the rampage II extreme be a bad idea?
 
DarkTears said:
Wow seriously? i dont quite understand how putting somethin on my wrist and plugging it into a socket gets rid of electricity but ok.

The last thing i need for my build is the motherboard, finding the one i want seems to be taking a while.

I have seen some good boards but all the videos that i watch about them say like "This board is for extreme overclockers.", and such. Ive never built a computer before and have never overclocked. would me buying something like the rampage II extreme be a bad idea?
Click to expand...

you put it into the ground socket. there is no charge there. it is used for safety purposes
 
I gotta go google this cause it sounds a little weird lol.

I thought the extra cirlce plug was for devices that need MORE power.

I can see it now...I wake up in the hospital and then they asked me what happened. And i say "Some ppl on an internet forum told me to put this thing around my wrist and then plug it into the wall :)
 
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