I'll be building my first PC some time next week, and I know pretty much everything to get it done. However, a friend just told me that when taking the CPU out of its packaging, it builds up static charge, and that I should touch a corner pin of the CPU with a screwdriver to get rid of it. I can't find any online articles or anything to back it up. But he does have about ten years of experience building computers, so that's why I'm asking. Is it something I should try or is he wrong here.
Discharge Static from a CPU?
- Thread starter LZTYBRN
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2048Megabytes
Active Member
Electro Static Discharge can damage or destroy computer components. At the very least, you should touch the bare, unpainted metal of your computer case frame before handling any computer components to prevent static electricity damage to any parts in your computer.
I have never heard of the technique you mentioned to discharge possible static electricity.
I have never heard of the technique you mentioned to discharge possible static electricity.
I haven't heard of the technique either. Most electronics comes in anti-static wrapping. I'd put the package on top of the PC case to let any static discharge, then handle as 2048Megabytes mentioned. Providing you discharge your static before handling anything (or use a grounding wrist strap if the mains power is off) there should not be any problems.
I don't think that is a good way for two reasons:
1. If you walk back to the PC across a carpet you could charge yourself up before getting back to the PC.
2. Although we usually want things at ground potential, if the chassis is charged (say by someone else carrying it across a carpet ) you don't want to touch any electronics if you are at ground potential. It's the difference that is the killer. You should always touch the chassis.
A good parallel is working on high voltage lines. When you work off a helicopter, the airborne workers and helicopter are charged using a hot stick on the line, to say 132,000 volts, the same as the line. There is no potential difference so no current, no electrocution.
Alright thanks guys, I didn't think it was a good idea. One more question though. A couple of guides say it is good to put your PSU in, and plug it in to a power strip that is plugged into the wall, and make sure the PSU and power strip are switched off. Then you ground yourself to the case. Is that a good thing to do, or is it really the same as leaving it unplugged? Oh, and I will be getting one of those wrist straps.
ScottALot
Active Member
If you're so worried about that, take a wire with two alligator clips and clip one somewhere on you and the other to a common ground.
That's a bit extreme but should work OK.
On the ATX schematics I've seen, the main PSU breaker is double pole so it breaks both the live and neutral, which is good. It does not necessarily remove the risk from other devices like printers and monitors which may have been left connected. There must be no possibility of mains power leaking in while you are wearing a wrist strap. Personally I would rather have the all leads completely disconnected and just rely on touching the chassis every time you are about to handle components. I'm sure that is what most techs do. Combine that with not touching any metallic parts connected to the electronics' innards and you should be OK (touch the card or mounting hardware only).