Grounding yourself

[Malc]

I'm upgrading some RAM in my computer and heard that I need to ground myself before hand. Making sure I have the same electrical charge as the computer components, otherwise they'll pack up.

I've researched a bit on Google but there is a lot of different ideas. For example, some say leave the powerplug in but switched off to ground yourself, others say always plug it out completely.

I know a lot of people on here upgrade and make their own PC's, so I was wondering if anyone could give me some definitive advice on the best way to ground myself before I start touching all the components? Will touching an unpainted metal surface for a few seconds do, and then I can start work?

Any advice on this appreciated.

[Myth]

I personally always unplug it completely and make sure I touch the metal frame inside of the case.

To be honest I'm not really sure if that does anything, just what I was brought up to do.

[Psyduck]

I'm sure you should do this, and I do when I remember, but I've forgotten lots of times with absolutely no ill effects. Make sure it's turned off, touch the case, but don't fret about it too much. Last time I was swapping RAM around I either put some in or took some out with the machine still turned on I think (by accident), no harm done. wouldn't recommend it but shows it's not easy to do damage!

[Hohum]

I personally always unplug it completely and make sure I touch the metal frame inside of the case.

This is what I do.

[Fargo]

This is what I do.

This, I learnt my lesson after I fried 4 gigs of new ram

[Ginger Tosser]

I thought having the case earthed (plugged in, but switched off) would be better. I have an Anti Static mat and wrist straps for my memory upgrades. I didn't buy it, I inherited it when I was made redundant.

[abigsmurf]

just touch a radiator or water pipe every so often.

Do not leave the PC plugged in (even if you switch it off at the wall). There's still lots of (admittedly rare) ways power can travel through a turned off plug. The additional grounding you get isn't worth the additional risk. Especially if you've poor wiring and there's a current running through your earth.

[Matt]

LOL. I've never bothered grounding myself. Literally many thousands of builds and repairs, never an issue.

Just make sure you don't stand on a shagpile, and wear proper shoes. It'll be fine.

[smouty]

just touch a radiator or water pipe every so often.

Do not leave the PC plugged in (even if you switch it off at the wall). There's still lots of (admittedly rare) ways power can travel through a turned off plug. The additional grounding you get isn't worth the additional risk. Especially if you've poor wiring and there's a current running through your earth.

You need to ensure that your PC case and yourself are at the same potential. Aas as most modern water pipes are now bonded to earth you would need to ensure your PC is plugged in but not switched on so that it is also at earth potential.

Current running through your earth? I guess this could happen in really old houses but I think you would have bigger issues to resolve if you had this

[abigsmurf]

It's pretty much impossible to take apart a PC without touching the case a lot so as long as you touch the radiator every so often, you're going to be fine.

You'd be amazed at how many places do have that kind of issue off the earth, only takes one piece of badly wired electronics that doesn't output enough power to set off the circuit breakers. A bigger problem perhaps is power surges causing sparks that bridge the power switch (I've read reports of this happening).

[Malc]

Cheers for the advice everyone. Again, it seems there are lots of different ways to ground yourself and each has their own method. But i'll probably just touch a radiator as it seems the easiest option. I'll also only do it in the kitchen where we have a lino floor, rather than a carpet surface.

Does it matter if i'm wearing shoes/socks? And does the computer have to be laying on the floor as well?

[abigsmurf]

No socks will lessen the amount of static you build up but will exponentially increase the amount of swearwords when you step on a screw that fell on the floor.

You don't need to worry too much, the chances of static damage if you take no precautions is usually fairly low (it can just be incredibly expensive if it does happen) as long as you keep static in mind and do some safeguards you should be fine.

*edit*

remember to touch an unpainted part of the radiator otherwise it won't do much

[NemesiS]

LOL. I've never bothered grounding myself. Literally many thousands of builds and repairs, never an issue.

Just make sure you don't stand on a shagpile, and wear proper shoes. It'll be fine.

Agree'd. Everywhere i have worked had these yellow grounding strips that were attached to a metal plate and the other end you had to wear on your wrist when fixing servers etc. I never bothered with them and in 15 years of fixing PC's have never had an issue.

As chain says, carpet is the culprit. If your not moving your feet then you won't generate a charge. Just keep you shoes or trainers on and you'll be fine

[Daragon]

Want to know the best way to ground yourself?

Tell your parents their cooking tastes of ****

[dazzx]

you been around my mums for tea again?