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#1
Static Electricity and earth straps
I am a great believer in always wearing an earth strap when I go inside a PC. Some on this board have the view that this is not necessary!
Lets look at what static electricity is! It is simply high voltage electricity with no current. It can and often does reach very high voltages. When you get that spark between your finger and a car door that can be measured at about 500v.
Different people generate different levels of static even though all other factors may be the same. You can have two people dressed in similar clothes next to each other at the same bench with wildly differening levels of static being generated! Certain atmospheric conditions create differing levels ie humidity, temperature, barometric pressure and a multitude of other conditions! Personally I generate a fairly high level of static as everytime I walk past our home radio we get quite severe interference. So my view is that as there are so many variables in the generation of static electricity it is better to err on the safe side and always recommend the use of a good earth strap. Better safe that sorry. I think it is encumbant upon all here who affer their advice and help to take a resposible attitude towards this problem and recommend the use of a strap but I would be pleased to hear what others think!