Is earth ground required to discharge static electricity?

Discussion in 'General Hardware' started by Frs4ken, Aug 2, 2019.

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  1. Frs4ken

    Frs4ken Member

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    Isn't touching a large metal object such as the computer case enough? People always recommend to touch an earth grounded PSU.
     
  2. TheDeeGee

    TheDeeGee Ancient Guru

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    Letting the unplugged PC alone for 2 minutes is enough as well.

    These days there is always an LED or two on the motherboard which discharges the system.

    On older PCs i always held the power button for 30 seconds to drain it.
     
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  3. Astyanax

    Astyanax Ancient Guru

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    static needs a path to earth, a case on rubber or plastic feet is not a path to earth.

    when the psu is in the case and plugged in to the wall, it is a path to earth.
     
  4. sverek

    sverek Guest

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    But what if all the electricity that is grounded goes to the hell...
     
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  5. Astyanax

    Astyanax Ancient Guru

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    then you better hope we find a Doom guy.
     
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  6. 386SX

    386SX Ancient Guru

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    The current within your body is discharged best by touching some grounded component or using a "grounded wrist band".
    For the remaining current within your computer, there are multiple options. I shutdown my computer, disconnect the power cord and wait until the last LED / light is off. Then I press the power button a couple of times (about 5 times) to discharge the remaining power within the PSU.
    Then I start my work.

    If a wrist band is not available, I touch some grounded component after every bigger move I do. For example if I have to search for some cable and have to walk to my "cable box", I discharge myself again to ensure I haven't built up any current within my body while walking (especially when walking over carpets!).
     
  7. AsiJu

    AsiJu Ancient Guru

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    This.

    Remember that for this reason unplugging the PSU means you can't discharge static electricity by touching the computer case as the system isn't grounded.

    Which is why I keep power cable plugged but turn the PSU off from switch whenever working inside the case.
     
  8. Witcher29

    Witcher29 Ancient Guru

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    U can, it suprised me that not many people know it on this forum. let me explain it how it works but excuse my terrible english.

    When u removing the psu power plug from the pc, and there is still static charge on the pc, go to power button of the case and press it and hold it down for 5 seconds, then release and quicly pres it a few times.
    There u go thats how u remove static electricy.
     
  9. AsiJu

    AsiJu Ancient Guru

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    I meant discharging static from yourself, by touching a grounded object.

    Obviously any charge remaining in the PC will vanish, unplugged.
    But remember the case is no longer grounded, then.
     

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