[SOLVED] Static discharge when working with components

[Nabeel95]

So well I've heard of this a lot on the internet that you can fry your pc components because of static discharge if you're not grounded. And we don't have proper earthing here in Pakistan. I know I don't have proper wiring in my house. But then ive almost NEVER seen any one ever try to prevent this. Especially not pc people at hafeez center. Is this actually dangerous or just something those people from developed countries do because they have way too many resources. And if it is, how exactly should you prevent this if you dont have proper wiring.

 

[GloriousChicken]

So well I've heard of this a lot on the internet that you can fry your pc components because of static discharge if you're not grounded. And we don't have proper earthing here in Pakistan. I know I don't have proper wiring in my house. But then ive almost NEVER seen any one ever try to prevent this. Especially not pc people at hafeez center. Is this actually dangerous or just something those people from developed countries do because they have way too many resources. And if it is, how exactly should you prevent this if you dont have proper wiring.

Well, unless you live in some ancient house you should have a grounded electricity atleast.

That isnt much of an issue.

 

[Nabeel95]

Well, unless you live in some ancient house you should have a grounded electricity atleast.

That isnt much of an issue.

But there are only 2 pin power sockets around my house. Unless im absolutely clueless about how electricity works (which i kind of am, otherwise i wouldn't be asking), they cant possibly be grounded right. Since you need the 3rd pin for grounding.

 

[GloriousChicken]

But there are only 2 pin power sockets around my house. Unless im absolutely clueless about how electricity works (which i kind of am, otherwise i wouldn't be asking), they cant possibly be grounded right. Since you need the 3rd pin for grounding.

Ah yes, you're right.
The Earth wire, i think.

I dont know much about electrical wires.

So i would recommend calling an electrician trying to make sure of your house wiring to make sure of it.
That is the best course of action.

but, do you feel some sort of minor current when you touch your case?
if not, static should not pose much danger then.

According to my personal experience.
Static discharge never really happened and i didnt pay much care to it either and nothing happened. (Years of touching hardwares)

so i think those in the west are too insecure and way too resourceful :crazy:

 

[Nabeel95]

Ah yes, you're right.
The Earth wire, i think.

I dont know much about electrical wires.

So i would recommend calling an electrician trying to make sure of your house wiring to make sure of it.
That is the best course of action.

but, do you feel some sort of minor current when you touch your case?
if not, static should not pose much danger then.

According to my personal experience.
Static discharge never really happened and i didnt pay much care to it either and nothing happened. (Years of touching hardwares)

so i think those in the west are too insecure and way too resourceful :crazy:

Yeah thats what i thought. Thanks though. But i'll ask my electrician anyway. Better safe than sorry.

 

[haroonshaikh]

Static discharge and earth wire are more for a human safety rather than a component or appliance safety

So what does the earth wire do?
Some devices, example (Televisions, toaster, washing machine, etc) leak current in the body of the equipment. This can happen due to any malfunction or any other reason. Now with no earthing cable, that current stays in the equipment body and as soon as you touch it , it flows thorough your body into the ground (As human body is an excellent conductor of electricity)

If you dont have earthing in your house, Always follow these safety steps
1. Always wear a rubber slippers when touching any electrical stuff that powers directly from the socket and ensure that your feet are not wet (stabilizer, washing machines, lamps, etc)
2. If possible hold a wooden material in your other hand
The purpose of wearing slippers and holding wooden block is to avoid the current passing through your body

And lastly, it always advised to have a earth wire installed in you house. You dont need to a very expert person. Its fairly simple
1. Dig a 7 feet deep, 3ft x 3ft pit in the ground
2. Place a thick copper plate (0.5 inch thick approx with a solid copper wire connected to it) at the bottom of the pit
3. Fill the pit with charcoal and sea salt (you would need approx 2 boris of sea salt and 2 bags of charcoal)
4. Now Fill the pit with water
5. When the water dries up, fill it with sand and close the pit
6. The solid copper wire coming out of the buried copper plate is the earth wire, connect it to the earthing requirements on your house

Now, the technical part is , the depth of the pit is dependent on the soil resistivity and other factors. In developed countries and in big industries in pakistan, the proper way to get a soil test done and then design a proper earthing system.
Here in Pakistan, in home, people just apply a thumb rule (dig a xx feet deep and you are good to go ) and it works well. Same is done in my house.
hope it helps, stay safe and always educate your friends and family on these things.

P.S always keep a fire extinguisher and fire blanket at your home (it costs PKR 5,000 for a 5kg fire extinguisher and 1200 for a fire blanket)