WTF does this mean?

[Titan]

Ok got this Radio Shack Static-Control wrist strap and don\'t understand the instructions. Here are the instructions on the label.

Before handling components susceptible to damage by static electrical discharge:
1. Connect the alligator clip or snap to the grounded work surface
2. Wrist strap attaches to the cord with a strap. Attach conductive rubber strap loosely around wrist.

My question is about instruction 1. What is the grounded work surface?

No problem.  Just find the nearest water pipe, then handcuff yourself to it.  Now you\'re grounded, in more ways than one.

[Titan]

Seriously. I need an answer ASAP.

There is a seed of truth in my previous reply.  Electricians always hook up their ground wire to a water pipe, since that is the most convenient continuous metal object that enters the earth.

If you want to be real careful, then solder a copper wire from your metal desk to the nearest water pipe, and clip your static control wrist strap to the desk.  Such precautions are not necessary though  because we\'re talking about static electricity, not high voltage (actually it is high voltage, but low amperage).  A large metal object like the desk itself should be enough to dissipate a mild static charge.  Just don\'t go around dragging your feet on carpet and then picking up ICs with your fingers.

[Titan]

So, i need to clip it to something metal? Anyone else besides Coredweller? I\'m not understanding what he\'s saying. And I need an answer like now. I have other things to do.

http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,82184,00.asp

[Titan]

But I don\'t know what a damn ground is? Where the hell is it? That\'s what I\'m asking. Coredweller, thanks for the article.

This should help.

http://www.howstuffworks.com/question110.htm

[videoholic]

I usually attach the strap around my penis and then put the alligator clips across a 9v battery.  That tiny little short gets me all tingly.

[Titan]

So I stick the alligator hook into the third prong area in an appliance socket? All I want to know is where do I clip on the alligator clip. Your not giving me much help. EDIT: Sorry, I thought Vid was you for a second. Vid isn\'t much help

The electrician who built your house probably took that line from the third prong on all outlets, and hooked it up to a water pipe.  You can skip the prong and hook your strap to a water pipe if you want.  That\'s probably not convenient though.  

As the article said, the metal shell from most appliances that have a three prong plug is already wired directly to the third prong, so you can clip your wrist strap to a metal part on a plugged in appliance, and that will do the same thing.  Or if you\'re worried about it, unplug the appliance and wind some wire around the third prong, then connect the wrist strap to the wire.  EASY

[videoholic]

heh, I thought Cored already helped you so I dropped a one liner on you.  Sorry.

You can attach that thing to virtually anything that is metal and touches the ground. Sticking it into the ground of your plug would probably work too, but that owuld look funny.

I never use those things.  I just make sure I\'m not wearing socks and I touch something grounded before I work.

But I am in FL, and there isn\'t as much static electricity down here.

[videoholic]

Oh yeah, usually the outlets are grounded themselves, so you can always take that screw out of the plate and attackh a wire to that screw that holds your plate on.  Just unscrew the thing a little bit and alligator clip to it.

[Titan]

So all I need to do is attach it to something metal that leads to the ground?

what are u working on while wearing it?

a PC?

just clip it to the case

all yer trying to do is make yer body the same potential