An anti-static wrist strap protects computer components from static electricity. It consists of a strap with a resistor that must be in contact with the user’s skin and a cable that attaches to the computer case. It does not protect against electric shock. Manufacturers use specialized equipment to protect components and workers must take precautions. To reduce damage from static electricity, wear cotton clothing, keep feet on the floor, and dissipate built-up static electricity by touching a metal object.
An anti-static wrist strap is a bracelet-like strap that the wearer uses to dissipate static charge that could short out computer components. The belt consists of a static discharge material with a resistor that has a metal side and a wire receptacle on the other side. The metal side of the resistor must be in contact with the user’s bare skin, otherwise the static charge will not be dissipated. The other component of a wrist strap is the cable, which must complete the discharge circuit by being attached to the bare metal of the computer case. The wrist strap does not protect you from receiving an electric shock from a device, such as a computer monitor.
The wrist strap is designed to protect static-sensitive components, such as motherboards, from being destroyed by static electricity. Most people have experienced a discharge of static electricity from touching another person or a metal object. This electricity usually comes from walking on a carpet or rubbing against an object that produces static electricity, such as a balloon. If a person touches an electronic component, the component could short out. Normally, an electronic device’s case protects it from electric shock so the average user doesn’t destroy the electronics.
Anti-static wrist straps are not designed to protect the wearer from electric current. Repair technicians who work on monitors and televisions have specialized equipment to dissipate the electrical charge stored in the equipment. An anti-static wrist strap protects electronic components from static electrical charges, which is different from direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) electricity. Shock from an appliance can be fatal.
Electronics manufacturers use special equipment to protect vulnerable components. An anti-static wrist strap is one of the most common devices, but often requires workers to use electrostatic dissipative (ESD) shoes or heel grounding straps in conjunction with anti-static wrist straps. Most manufacturers lay special ESD mats, have ESD workbench mats, and require ESD gowns. When a person uses the wrist strap alone, he should take as many precautions as possible.
A person can reduce the damage caused by the buildup of static electricity in a few simple ways. It is helpful to wear 100% cotton clothing and keep both feet on the floor while working on the components. When people move their feet, static electricity builds up, so a person should walk carefully or dissipate the built-up static electricity by touching a metal object. Some people use the anti-static wrist straps to dissipate static charge in other ways, such as using it to dissipate the charge that builds up while running on a treadmill. The person simply attaches the alligator clip of the strap to the metal of the treadmill to avoid electrostatic zapping.
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