Which static electricity prevention tools do actually work?

Question

I need a device that would discharge static electricity from my body in order to safely work with electronics. I have looked and found some that interested me, but I don't know whether they work:

1. Anti-Static Wrist Strap

   

2. Anti-Static Release Discharger Keychain

   

3. Anti-Dissipative Wrist Strap

   

4. Anti-Static Rubber Finger Stalls

   

Which of above mentioned actually do something?

Do I also need and anti-static screw box?

It has holes that screws get put in. Will I need magnetic screwdriver to pull screws out?

Answer 1

The only true safe way to work with electronics is with the use of an anti-static wrist wrap (that is connected to electrical ground). The reason I am skeptical of the other products is the fact that they provide no path for electrical discharge of any static electrical charge on your body.

The anti-static wrist wrap provides a path to ground for said static electricity, through a current limiting resistor, to ground. Without a path for electricity to flow, there is no way to discharge this static buildup. Just due to that scientific fact, I will argue that products 2 (anti-static release discharger keychain) and 3 (anti-dissipative wrist strap) simply don't work.

As for product 4 (rubber finger covers), this would work, but only to a limited extent. The rubber provides a good insulator between your skin and the conductors, but if there was enough buildup of static electricity in your body, it could theoretically overcome this resistance. That being said, the resistance of rubber is extremely high, and I would recommend this product over 2 and 3.

At the end of the day, your best (safest) bet is to use the anti-static wrist strap ("grounding strap").

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Oh, and as for that anti-static screws box, don't bother. If you use an anti-static wrist strap, and you are in direct contact with the screws/screwdriver, you shouldn't have a problem. If you do go with it, I believe you would need a magnetic screwdriver (otherwise how would you get an individual screw out without flipping the whole thing upside-down?).

Answer 2

I've only ever used #1, and i know that works (as long as you ground it to something). Dont know about #2 or #3.

I don't use one myself day to day, i know that's bad :-( - i usually just touch something grounded before touching electronics.

Answer 3

1 and 3 work equally as well (well 3 does, if tied to something).

2 looks funny, but, I don't really see it working as well as 1 as you will need to touch it yourself.

4 just looks dirty/funny! I have seen anti static gloves, but they can rip easily and can get in the way - especially when dealing with sharp edges / removing blanking plates etc.

Personally, 1 is so cheap, old and a proven solution, it would far be my favourite with 3 coming in second.

Never seen the screw box, sort of looks like snake oil to me - whilst it does look good, it addresses a problem that does not really exist.

Answer 4

These things only work when they are connected to ground via some path.

1. should be fine, provided you do connect it to ground.

2. is for gently discharging overly sensitive humans so they don't feel a shock. It has nothing to do with protecting electronics.

3. seems to be a so-called wireless anti-static wrist strap, though Dealextreme is careful not to mention that. This basically means it is snake oil, see this article.

4. being antistatic probably means that they don't accumulate static electricity when used (rubbed), as rubber normally does. Probably they conduct somewhat, but this won't magically discharge your body, unless you also wear a wrist strap. The same applies to other things labeled ESD safe, for example plastic bags and tools.

The screws box is only for manufacturers, it would be major overkill for hobbyists.

A sensible thing to get besides the wired wrist strap would be an antistatic desk mat, though they tend to be somewhat more expensive. To work that mat needs to be grounded, too.