Anti-static wrist straps/gloves - do you use them?

[deejayburnout]

I always find that touching a copper radiator pipe works for me. I give it a good hold for about 20 sec and then I am good to go. Done this for years and never had an issue.

You can trust me as I am an Electrician.

[g8ina]

Some of you may be aware that I mod cameras to infrared. Since I started using an antistat mat and wrist band I have not killed a single camera due to static. I suspect that about 6 died before this solely due to static. Before the mat I did about 38, after Ive done about 45. Stats in this case dont lie

[Goobley]

For work with delicate chips like CCDs I would unquestionably use a wristband and work on my anti-static mat. I'd assume that's where you comment on voltage it takes to kill a semiconductor junction came from. I'm fairly sure in the cases of CCDs like with some FETs, it actually takes a lot less than 30V. I once killed a MOSFET with about 12V through the gate (not static, hence me knowing what the voltage was) because I forgot a protective zener. I think when it comes down to it, we can all agree that it's a good idea but in a lot of cases (as we're working with fully populated boards) the risk is low enough that we choose to accept it.

[Saracen]

....

I'm extremely curious about the 4 ft earthing rod now, but I'm far too terrified of what the answer might be to ask what it's for.

The rod is about heavy metal spike, about half inch in diameter, with a point at one end, and a cap which is kind-of like a bolt-head at the other. In fact, effectively it is a bolt, which threads into the end of the rod. That means you can hammer the rod into the ground, the release the bolt at attach leads to it to ensure very thorough earthing.

As for what it's for, it's RF grounding for a radio transmitter. Well, several, actually.

[drone567]

Yes, for the cost (£3-4), an anti static strap is a good safety measure. I found that by clipping it to that part of my case where side panels clip in, there was a slither of bare metal there! But you can also get that type, that plug into the mains using the 'earth prong'. You'll only have to buy one in your lifetime!

[DanceswithUnix]

No idea where the shoes bit comes from, I have some shoes that have me sparking off stuff left right and center, at home I tend to build stuff in socks. Remember, this isn't like advice on avoiding electrocution where shoes are a good idea, in this case you really want to leak charge to ground so wearing a pair of rubber insulators on your feet is a Bad Thing.

When working at electronics companies in their lab you generally get anti static mats on the workbench connected to ground and wristbands connected to the mat. What you want to avoid is you and the work being at different potentials, it really doesn't matter what those potentials are it is the difference that matters.

At home I used to use a big anti static bag from a PC motherboard to put things on. What you really want is something like:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/large-anti...x-600-mm-n74cr
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/retractabl...cable-2m-fe29g
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/anti-stati...ing-plug-as38r

Like a lot of things in life, build stuff once or twice and you might want to take the risk. Do a lot of it, and the risk starts becoming a certainty.

[Jellyfish]

hmm interesting, thanks guys! I was just looking at an el cheapo amazon one (Without a plug) for like £2 or something. The plugged ones were around £20ish i found. I'll have to consider these other ideas after i built mine as my budget can't really push to some of these things. Really good info though guys, thanks

[Frankenfurter]

Yeah, loads of good information and advice here, thanks everyone I'm going to get one of the link to chassis ones I think, the plugged ones are too pricey for me, even if it does mitigate a larger risk. >.<

And cheers for satiating my curiosity there, Saracen. The image that's formed in my head of your back garden now is quite extraordinary now though - looks kind of like your typical Protoss base in Starcraft if that means anything to you, pylons EVERYWHERE. xD

[StaticFX]

i should have never read this! I have built and swapped parts of PC's since pentium 90 was the HOT cpu... 94? dont remember. I have never worn a strap. I just touch the screw on the wall socket or light switch, then go to work. Never had an issue... now that I have jinxed myself.

lol

[DanceswithUnix]

i should have never read this! I have built and swapped parts of PC's since pentium 90 was the HOT cpu... 94? dont remember. I have never worn a strap. I just touch the screw on the wall socket or light switch, then go to work. Never had an issue... now that I have jinxed myself.

lol

I think most people who build PCs know that certain jumpers, shoes etc have them generating sparks all over the place so naturally minimise the risk. Static damaged stuff doesn't always fail straight away though, you can just knock lifespan off a component.

P90? Yikes, first "PC" I worked on was an 8 bit Z80 running at an entire 1.79MHz, feeling old now

[Pob255]

No idea where the shoes bit comes from, I have some shoes that have me sparking off stuff left right and center, at home I tend to build stuff in socks. Remember, this isn't like advice on avoiding electrocution where shoes are a good idea, in this case you really want to leak charge to ground so wearing a pair of rubber insulators on your feet is a Bad Thing.

It's probably because a lot of shoes don't use rubber for their soles these days, most common are polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride to give a soft rubbery finish but not actual rubber.
Depending on what your floor is made of, this could well be the cause.
Another potential cause is manmade fibres in the lining of the shoes, esp if you ware cotton socks

tip, army boots, most still use vulcanised rubber soles

[Jellyfish]

It's probably because a lot of shoes don't use rubber for their soles these days, most common are polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride to give a soft rubbery finish but not actual rubber.
Depending on what your floor is made of, this could well be the cause.
Another potential cause is manmade fibres in the lining of the shoes, esp if you ware cotton socks

tip, army boots, most still use vulcanised rubber soles

Time to get out my Doc Martins then i think

[StaticFX]

P90? Yikes, first "PC" I worked on was an 8 bit Z80 running at an entire 1.79MHz, feeling old now

that was the first one that was all mine... lol in HS they were apple IIc? where you had to boot from the 5 1/4 floppy lol

[Saracen]

....

And cheers for satiating my curiosity there, Saracen. The image that's formed in my head of your back garden now is quite extraordinary now though - looks kind of like your typical Protoss base in Starcraft if that means anything to you, pylons EVERYWHERE. xD

ROFL on the mental image. Not hardly, though .... sadly. I think the local planning authorities might have something to say about that. Not to mention, neighbours.

Some radio antennae can actually be pretty small. It's a function of, first, what efficiency you expect to get, and secondly, and most critically, the frequency you transmit on. The higher the frequency, the smaller the antenna, though at extremely high (like microwave) frequencies, a whole host of other problems start to occur, like extremely accurate manufacturing tolerances, and the cost of very low impedance cable.

But, for some frequencies, you can build a usable (if not exactly ideal) antenna out of a few feet or copper tube, or even a bit of wire and 2" plastic plumbing tube. And put then inside your loft. For others, a single, large vertical pole, works well, or even (admittedly fairly long) horizontal copper wire. I have neighbours that, having lived within a few doors of me for a decade or more, had never noticed the antenna. You could be living a few doors from me, and not know it.

[finch96]

I thought they wernt that necessary tbh :S

[Frankenfurter]

Haha, Saracen - I think I'm going to be checking out all my neighbours rooftops for odd coppery bits sticking out of their houses now, just to be nosey. xD Also, to check they're not Protoss.

Flinch, they're probably not, but better safe than sorry, right?

Oh, and, sorry about that Static.