How do you prevent a static shock while building your PC?

We've listed a number of steps for you, so you can start building your PC without any static shocks.

• Step 1: make sure to ground yourself
• Step 2: use an antistatic wrist strap
• Step 3: avoid a static surface and static-sensitive clothes

An electrostatic shock occurs after friction between 2 surfaces. When you wipe your feet on the carpet, for example. While it doesn't bother us too much, it's extremely harmful for electronic devices and in this case your parts. This shock damages your parts and can even break them. Luckily, there are several ways to prevent a static shock.

Before you start, leave the connector plugged in so it stays grounded. If you ground yourself, you conduct the static electricity away from your computer parts and prevent a shock. Touch a metal object such as a radiator every few minutes to ground yourself again. This is the easiest solution, but it's not without risk. Keep in mind that you don't prevent static electricity this way, you only conduct it by grounding yourself.

A different solution is to use a antistatic wrist strap. This wrist strap prevents a static electricity charge, so it prevents static shocks. Put the wrist strap around your wrist and attach the clamp to something grounded, such as your computer case or radiator. Thanks to the flexible wire, you have more freedom of movement and prevents static electricity from building up. Is the object you attached the clamp to not grounded? The wrist strap won't work and you increase the risk of static shocks.

In addition to grounding yourself, there are more things you can do to prevent static shocks. Make sure you're not standing on a carpet or rug, for example. A hard surface is a better conductor. It's also important that you don't move too much. Movement creates friction, which is how static electricity builds up. So don't wear any static-sensitive clothes like a woolen sweater. This way, both you and your components are safe.