Do You Need An Antistatic Wrist Strap?
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I just got a sale blurb from TigerDirect on a sale they are having and one of the items were [2] two Ultra antistatic wrist straps for the price of [1] one. It wasn’t the sale that peeked my interest, but it made me wonder how many people used a wrist strap when they are working on a computer? Or how many people even knew that wearing a antistatic strap was even recommended?
When working on electronic equipment such as a computer, using an antistatic wrist strap helps to prevent the electrostatic discharge that could damage electronic components. However, many inexpensive wrist straps use a metal plate to connect to the skin, which over time can corrode and render the wrist strap useless. So when purchasing a wrist strap for extended use a good quality wrist strap is recommended. The wrist strap connects to the users wrist and a alligator clip hooks onto a exposed metal piece of the computer case.
In addition to wrist straps, some companies employ an antistatic mat as well. But for most home users a wrist strap should be sufficient.
So do you use a wrist strap when working on the inside of a computer?
Comments welcome.
TigerDirect sale is here.
6 Comments
Denny
March 20th, 2008
at 6:16pm
Hi Ron
NOPE…!… Don’t Use One Ron……
But I Looked for one about a Month Ago…
When I Was GET–TIN ready to Crack a Case…………
_______AND________
Nobody’s GOT–UM in Tuolumne County….!
But they Knew What I was Talking about ..
. . . So that’s Pretty-Good.. . LOL
Mike
March 21st, 2008
at 8:29am
I used to when I worked on customer’s systems as a tech..now, I hardly ever use them especially given the server room environments I work in and the infrequency of working with hands-on components. Good humidity and temp controls help with static electricity too.
Buck Hammond
March 22nd, 2008
at 12:19am
I never use one. I just make sure to ground myself by tap-taping at the power supply with my fingers to discharge any static electricity. I always do this before touching any component and have never had any problems.
Jerry
March 22nd, 2008
at 6:33am
Years ago I worked in an electronics factory that assembled tomography equipment (for CAT scans). I picked electronic components for orders all day without a wrist strap, but when certain sensitive, expensive chips were being handled, the wrist strap was mandatory. There was no laxity about this, and the engineers saw to it that it was enforced. When you consider the painful and startling static shock you can get on a cold and dry day, you can see what might happen to chip circuits built on microscopically thin internal layers.
a gindin
March 22nd, 2008
at 9:05am
i don’t use a wrist strap and i don’t use tiger direct since i had to write to the florida AG to get my rebate
ag
Beppo
March 17th, 2009
at 8:22am
I was looking for one today (my shipment from NewEgg is waiting for me at home!) and I can’t find them for sale anywhere around here. I asked our IT department and they said, “We don’t use ‘em!” I asked at the local computer repair shop and they said, “Just ground yourself on something metal.”
But many other people say that I’m insane for even looking at a computer without a grounding rod inserted into my nethers.
I just checked and Radio Shack, of all places, carries wrist straps. Hey, Radio Shack is actually good for something! Well, there’s a first time for everything.