1. Use a Grounded Strap for Computer Repairs
If you need to open your computer up to clean or repair it, make sure to wear an antistatic wrist strap. Even the slightest bit of static electricity from your body is enough to fry certain parts of the computer. You know that static shock you feel when someone scuffles across the carpet and then touches you? Only a tiny fraction of that is enough to damage certain electronic components. The damage may or may not be noticeable at first. It can take months or even years to see the evidence, but it will ultimately shorten your computer's life. That said, an antistatic wrist strap is a good investment if you're going to handle the inside of your computer. They range from a few dollars for a one-time-use strap to $40 or $50 for people who use them often. The strap that goes around your wrist is attached to a cord with an alligator clip, which clips onto either the computer itself or to an antistatic mat. This prevents you from conducting static electricity and is a must-have for any time you open up your computer case.
2. Use a Cordless Strap for Mobility
If you're working on a static-sensitive project where you need to be mobile, a cordless wrist strap can be useful. These wrist straps work by corona discharge, eliminating the need for a grounding cord. A corona discharge is an electrical discharge that eliminates static electricity by ionizing a fluid around a conductor. This can be really useful for people involved in various electronics projects, electricians and anyone else who needs to eliminate static, but needs be free to move around. The strap fits on just like a wristwatch and needs to be in contact with your skin for 15 minutes before it's effective. After this short warm-up phase, you can go about your work without any worry or restrictions.
3. Test it Often
If your wrist strap is like most and has a grounding cord, it needs to be tested daily for effectiveness. The ground cords can get damaged, causing an open circuit and it may be a long time before you notice the damage that has been done to your electronic device. Buy an antistatic wrist-strap tester. This device is easy to use and can save you a lot of trouble and potential damage caused by a faulty wrist strap. Simply put the strap on, attach the cord to the testing box and press a button. The tester will tell you whether the strap is working. In the event that it isn't working, there's nothing you can really do to fix it. Just dispose of it and purchase another one.
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