Static, the silent killer

[Thornblade]

Hey,

I was reviewing Fozzik's articles on building for about the 1,254th time, and I was looking at anti-static mats to see how much they cost. I came across these (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1776684&CatId=1802) anti-static gloves that you can, apparently, use instead of a wrist strap. Has anyone used these? Do they work okay? Is this a safe alternative to using a mat? Or something you would use in addition to a mat?

Thanks much.

Thorny

[JAdams]

I don't think I could manage building a computer while wearing gloves... :(

[Fozzik]

I've never seen them used, and I'm kind of skeptical about their effectiveness. It doesn't seem very likely that they would be able to dissipate charges when they aren't attached to a ground in any way. I guess you could say they use the same principle as the anti-static labcoats which are commonly used, with conductive material woven into the fabric to spread charges out...but I don't think I've ever seen anyone claim that an anti-static labcoat would work as a substitute for a wrist strap.

Those gloves might act as a barrier to keep charges from passing between your body and the components (which is what the labcoats do), but I doubt they would "discharge static" as they claim.

I'd say stick with the wrist strap.

[CyclopsSlayer]

Straps are cheap, safe and effective, I would say stay with them and avoid cute gimmicks.

Having worked, under a hood, with some incredibly flammible organic solvents, Hex/Hep/Oct-tanes and ethers. I long since have learned the need for static protection. Watching a beaker of boiling ether being reduced explode a mere foot from my face, thanks be for the hood safety window, due to a poorly grounded hotplate... Well, that tends to make one a wee bit paranoid of sparks, no matter how small.