Re: How to properly discharge static electricity?

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From: jazz (aprilo9_at_hotmail.com.nospam)
Date: 12/17/04 

Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2004 23:57:51 -0500

"PeterM" <rpm@NOSPAM.dcn.org> wrote in message
news:KpydnWucfYdN2V_cRVn-iA@omsoft.com...
> I work on computers every once in a while, and always wonder what the
proper
> way is to get rid of the static electricity. I always thought that I had
to
> be grounded to the little screw that holds the wall socket on. Also I
> noticed one guy stick a banana plug into the neutral hole in a wall
socket,
> and then the other end of course was to a wrist band. One of my guys says
> all I have to do is touch the computer case a couple of times and then the
> static electricity is gone, and I can touch the memory stick, or whatever
I
> have to take out of the computer. It just doesn't make sense to me to just
> touch the case. I use to have a little box that actually showed when the
> static electricity was gone, where do I find that again......Could someone
> please explain this to me. Thanks in advance..........Peter
>
The theory behind touching the sides or metal frame of the case is that it
would equalize the statice charge between you and the computer making it
unlikley to have a discharge by other means (voltage arc). However sound
this is or not can be debated but i have almost always used this method
except if i am working with a monitor or television set. I don't think it
would eliminate all possibilities of static discharge but it should
eliminate most. Combine this with some anti static carpet or pads at the
workbench or maybe even a gounded work area that the computer sits on and
you should be pretty safe. The older electronic used in computers were more
suspectable to static damage then the newer commponants are. i don't really
think it is as serious of an issue as it was at one time.