In my life i deal with lots of sensitive electronics every day and frying these electronics is a big
concern when touching them. Most people think its hard to fry electronics with static electricity.
Its not, one touch could send your $100 graphics card down the drain if you aren't properly
grounded. Do you really want to risk it for the sake of ~$2 in parts?
In this instructable i will show you how to make a grounding wrist band from some basic
electronics that you probably have lying around, if not, its a few bucks.
=================================DISCLAIMER====================================
Anything demonstrated in this instructable is for educational purposes only.
I cannot be held responsible for any injury or death caused by the information on the
following pages.
=================================DISCLAIMER====================================
concern when touching them. Most people think its hard to fry electronics with static electricity.
Its not, one touch could send your $100 graphics card down the drain if you aren't properly
grounded. Do you really want to risk it for the sake of ~$2 in parts?
In this instructable i will show you how to make a grounding wrist band from some basic
electronics that you probably have lying around, if not, its a few bucks.
=================================DISCLAIMER====================================
Anything demonstrated in this instructable is for educational purposes only.
I cannot be held responsible for any injury or death caused by the information on the
following pages.
=================================DISCLAIMER====================================
Step 1: Materials You Will Need.
The things required for this instructable are:
1. Some kind of wrist band. A piece of paper will do, i used a strip of rubber.
2. Aluminum foil. Not too much, enough to line the inside of the wrist band.
3. Adhesive. To attach the foil to the band, i used double sided tape.
4. Alligator clip. Doesn't have to be one but it makes stuff easier. Wire will do.
Optional Stuff:
1. Extra wire (to make it longer) Curly phone wire is awesome for this!
2. 1 mohm resistor (for safety if you want it)
3. Mains power plug with wire coming off it.
1. Some kind of wrist band. A piece of paper will do, i used a strip of rubber.
2. Aluminum foil. Not too much, enough to line the inside of the wrist band.
3. Adhesive. To attach the foil to the band, i used double sided tape.
4. Alligator clip. Doesn't have to be one but it makes stuff easier. Wire will do.
Optional Stuff:
1. Extra wire (to make it longer) Curly phone wire is awesome for this!
2. 1 mohm resistor (for safety if you want it)
3. Mains power plug with wire coming off it.
Step 2: Making The Wrist Strap.
Okay, to make the actual wrist strap we are going to need the strap material, i used rubber and the foil you have.
First cut out a section of foil that will cover the inside of the strap.
Then we need to attach it to the strap, i used double sided tape. Glue would work too.
First cut out a section of foil that will cover the inside of the strap.
Then we need to attach it to the strap, i used double sided tape. Glue would work too.
Step 3: Attach The Alligator Clip To The Strap.
This step is pretty self explanatory, attach the alligator clip to somewhere there is foil, it doesn't
matter where, as long as it is touching the foil.
matter where, as long as it is touching the foil.
Step 4: The Other Side Of The Alligator Clip.
By now you are probably thinking "wait, wheres the other side of the clip go?".
The other side of the alligator clip has two possible places to go.
One is into the mains ground and the other is onto your pc case.
Step 5 is for the mains route and step 6 is for the pc case route.
The other side of the alligator clip has two possible places to go.
One is into the mains ground and the other is onto your pc case.
Step 5 is for the mains route and step 6 is for the pc case route.
Step 5: Connecting To A Mains Ground.
This option is slightly more dangerous if you do NOT know what you are doing, nonetheless
its perfectly safe if you know what you are doing around mains power.
Pretty much, you will need to locate the ground/earth wire in your mains cable.
For me, it was green. This may be different in your country so be sure to check first!
If the other wires are exposed, be sure to cover them up with electrical tape.
its perfectly safe if you know what you are doing around mains power.
Pretty much, you will need to locate the ground/earth wire in your mains cable.
For me, it was green. This may be different in your country so be sure to check first!
If the other wires are exposed, be sure to cover them up with electrical tape.
Step 6: Attaching The Alligator Clip To Your PC Case.
The other option for this instructable is to connect it to your pc case, this may be more desirable for some people, i don't really care which you pick, its up to you.
This step is really easy, just connect the alligator clip to someone METAL on your pc case.
This will automatically ground you as your pc case is connected to mains ground.
NOTE: Your pc must be plugged in for this to actually work.
It doesn't have to be on just plugged into a wall.
This step is really easy, just connect the alligator clip to someone METAL on your pc case.
This will automatically ground you as your pc case is connected to mains ground.
NOTE: Your pc must be plugged in for this to actually work.
It doesn't have to be on just plugged into a wall.
Step 7: Additional Stuff You Can Add.
Y'know the extra stuff in the first step? This is when they come into play.
The wire is just for convenience while the resistor is for safety.
To add in the wire, just place it in between either your pc case or your mains ground.
The same goes for the resistor, anywhere in between you and the ground is good.
The reason for the resistor is just encase you do come into contact with live mains (240/120v)
it could save your life. The resistor acts as a current limiter.
Therefore, if you had the band on your left hand and your right hand came into contact
with a live wire the resistor would limit the current able to flow through your body thus
possibly saving your life, without the resistor, any amount of current could flow through.
Most likely killing you.
If you find any mistakes in the instructable, want something added or have a question.
Reply below or email me at godfreyandgodfreyhotmail.com
The wire is just for convenience while the resistor is for safety.
To add in the wire, just place it in between either your pc case or your mains ground.
The same goes for the resistor, anywhere in between you and the ground is good.
The reason for the resistor is just encase you do come into contact with live mains (240/120v)
it could save your life. The resistor acts as a current limiter.
Therefore, if you had the band on your left hand and your right hand came into contact
with a live wire the resistor would limit the current able to flow through your body thus
possibly saving your life, without the resistor, any amount of current could flow through.
Most likely killing you.
If you find any mistakes in the instructable, want something added or have a question.
Reply below or email me at godfreyandgodfrey
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nuff said
Considering when you are working with electronics (more specifically, computers), a simple charge (as few as 10 volts) can mess up a component, you don't really want to trust a strip of fragile aluminum foil. What you save (maybe, like, 10 cents in supplies), is not worth losing a 1000 dollar machine.
When i get my parts for my gaming pc in a few weeks i know im gonna get a proper grounding strip for me.