ESD Strap just to open case?

ewq1938 said:

No but you can hold on to the metal case which should reduce any static electricity. I worked on computers for decades and never used one of those straps nor ever had any negative issues.

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I was going to say the same thing. When I studied years ago the teacher and book said to use a strap and I only used it in class. I worked on computers at the same school and we (including the teacher) never used any ESD strap. We did touch a screw but that's about it.

I worked for Micron building computers and we never used an esd strap.

I exposed a card to all the static electricity I could once, in order to test the the need for a strap, didnt hurt the card one bit.

I never use them and never had a problem but sure as I tell someone else not to use the strap something will go wrong.

I wouldn't open that case up unless either it or I am grounded. The wrist wrap needs to be solidly connected to whatever is grounding it, it's easy to break that connection accidentally.

You only normally need to use an ESD strap if you have carpet or a conductive surface. I used to fry parts due to static electricity all the time in my old apartment (it had carpet everywhere including in the kitchen). Then i moved into the trailer my parents setup for me. Dad put in laminate floors throughout the house and I haven't had a single static mishap.

I'm wearing straps again because my dad recently put in these mats for our chairs that conduct electricity really bad and I have to work on my computers all the time.

But yeah if you have hardwood floors or similar in your house you don't really have to worry. If you have carpet taking the case off wouldn't do anything if you're careful not to touch the motherboard in the back. but I would NOT touch anything inside your case unless you're grounded. That could cost you thousands if you have expensive parts like I do.

Just to echo most of the consensus here:
- Make sure you're always touching the case (or something metal) to ground yourself.
--- You don't need an anti-static device if you're doing this
- That said, don't do anything stupid like wear clothes that will constantly generate static (like ugg boots or just socks on their own)
- Always make sure the computer is unplugged and you've held the power button in for a few seconds to drain what's left (which you already have)

- Always keep track of any screws you remove. Obviously your computer will still function with missing screws, but you don't want any loose screws inside the case (for hopefully obvious reasons).

I've only ever killed one thing, and it was a faulty Intel NUC that I sort of forgot was plugged in while I was removing the panel and it made contact with the board (nice big spark too).

Okay, former electronics tech here. Use the stinking strap. It's not that big of a deal. Will something bad happen if you don't? Maybe, maybe not. Why risk it? It's the accepted industry practice (per ISO) to use one if you take the cover off of anything.

SeraphimSarov said:

Okay, former electronics tech here. Use the stinking strap. It's not that big of a deal. Will something bad happen if you don't? Maybe, maybe not. Why risk it? It's the accepted industry practice (per ISO) to use one if you take the cover off of anything.

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Good advice.

How much of a problem ESD will be will depend on your environment, which no one here knows. Here in damp England (UK), ESD is less a concern, but dry Texas would be a different matter. Your flooring, desk, clothing, foot ware, etc will also have an effect.

Any factory will have very strict ESD controls. And anyone working on customer products (e.g. service, repair) should also be following ESD precautions.

Devin Hammond said:

I worked for Micron building computers and we never used an esd strap.

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But work benches, flooring, etc were almost certainly grounded/anti-static.

The OP will be unfortunate if an ESD discharge caused their PC to stop working. However, it will weaken devices within the PC, and at some future date, it may cause a failure. Once you open something, you increase the risk from ESD.

An open product will loose some of its protection, and allow you to touch areas that may be more sensitive.

As an electronics engineer, I have carried out ESD testing on hand held products. Initially, they keep working, but after too many ESD discharges, they will eventually fail. (If something fails too soon, then you need to make design changes). The USB on my (work) laptop stopped working, as it was presumably not far enough way from where I was doing ESD tests - it should not have died - it was not even the target!

Like most development engineers, I don't bother much with ESD precautions. But then I do not care about any latent failures (prototypes do need to still work in a few months time), and am far more likely to cause damage through re-work, testing, and other mishandling.

But I will be far more careful if it's my PC I'm looking at!