Not really, as the ADS for them are claiming what Dave is testing. Even if the original manufacturer's meant it to have a cable. "This cordless wristband enables you to work without the restriction of a gorund lead" (sic)
USWaterRockets Usually "cordless" means that it doesn't use a cord to work. If it did say cord sold separately, there would be no place for the cord to attach as there is no stud for it to be held in. Besides, it'd be pretty silly to sell the cord separately.
You cheated by using a real strap to attach your charge to the plate. If you used two wireless straps for the test, than the charge would dissipate in no time. ϟ MAGIC ϟ
PinkTurtleFart Not just two. You'd need to put some round both ankles as well. One large one round your waist and then one round the neck like a dog collar. Then they'd work. Guaranteed.
Not only is it useless, but it gives the unsuspecting a false sense of security, thus causing more HARM than good. It's like buying a NEW car with defective brakes. Shame on the sellers of this device. Thumbs up.
There is only one use for it making techs and engineers laugh, sadly somebody took it beyond a the joke and made it and sold it. Then again there are enough people who feel you can work on electronics without esd protection.
I love when you do that smell thing. Too funny. It is so humid where I live, that static electricity is nonexistent. The only time I ever used anti-static bands was when I was living in Arizona. I could not close a car door w/o being shocked due to how dry it was. Excellent Video!
***** With ESD damage, your expensive video card may work for 5 minutes or 5000 years. With the static strap, it will always work for 5000 years... People can't really understand that you don't need to see a spark to know that damage has been done. Years ago a friend worked for a popular microphone company here in the US. When something was damaged, they'd uncap the IC sometimes and go directly to the employee that was known to 'forget' his strap and summarily terminate him. An IC that has ESD damage actually has craters and holes literally blown into the silicon under an electron microscope. I so wish that guys that build PCs would go through mandatory ESD training and certification. It should be required to get that A+ or MCSE or whatever ppl get nowadays.
E2qNX8btraQ3zRD6J7fc No it shouldn't because it's not as big a problem as it once was. Back in the 80s it was a real issue, so much so Apple released a video on ESD Danger. Most parts now are protected. I've built several PCs on a bed (granted on a ESD mat) in a carpeted bedroom. Never blown or damaged anything. All parts have lasted until I've decided to do upgrades.
you ever have a computer that locked up? any blue screens of death? There's a term coined years and years ago by those challenged to eradicate ESD issues, it's called called 'the walking dead'. A part is damaged by somebody; it's GOING to fail or be flaky. It may work but it is in fact damaged. Don't tell me that it's not a problem anymore. It's more of a problem now than it was years ago. They're making stuff with processes that use a couple dozen nanometers. Ultra ultra sensitive stuff. Computer parts manufacturers assume that there are going to be failures because of ESD. It's good for business, as long as it's not the manufacturer's fault.
Maltfalc Heck, when I build PC's (and I've been doing so for nearly 20 years, since I was around 8) I work barefoot and keep a spare PSU plugged in but powered off nearby so I can ground-out by touching it with my foot when I have to leave and come back or otherwise need a footrest (and as a footrest it keeps me constantly grounded without risk of yanking a limb out of socket if I need to move weirdly and suddenly, unlike with a strap-and-cord). Lino, hardwood, carpet (NOT shag carpet though), tile. I've worked on them using the PSU as grounding method and not fried a single board or component so far.
ElNeroDiablo It's unusual to 'kill' a device through ESD, normally you'd find it fails early, or you'll get the odd BSOD or random error in a piece of PC equipment. Just grounding yourself is not necessarily a good thing, you need *everything* to be at the same potential. If a PCB is already charged and you touch it you will still damage the oxide layers in the semiconductors hence why ESD mats are important.
Maltfalc Am I the only one who's not worried about ESD when working with computers? Sure, I discharge myself on a non painted part of a radiator now and then, but I rarely do it.
Jordan O'C I don't worry about it. I install the PSU first and leave it plugged in. Grounds the entire chassis and all the components as you install them.
Finally someone has taken the time to debunk this criminal misinformation. Why criminal? Because unsuspecting buyers spend money on this fraud and then it might even go as far as resulting in the destruction of their $500 Pentium processor.
***** I'm inclined to disagree there, having money to buy stuff in no way precludes you from having no idea on how the world works in regard to what you've bought..
They do indeed work. if Dave had bothered to read the instructions he would have noted that the wireless strap MUST be paired and used with the anti-static router.
Emmanuel Trinidad holy shit, really? I can imagine all the RAM problems and random lockups on the computers they touch because of a damaged device who's lifespan is clicking down towards 0. Enjoy your weird and unfixable computer problems Fry's patrons!
Emmanuel Trinidad Wow!! That really says something about Frys. Good research and quality control before reselling it. If I lived close to one of these stores (I'm in Canada) I would be writing to the president of Frys to let him know how good of job they are doing! UNREAL ! ! !
For someone who has no access to proper grounding points/outlets, what do you suggest we do to prevent ESD? (Note: this is common in the place/country we live in, a significant portion of the houses here have 2-pronged outlets)
BMSWEB makes you wonder where there profit come from if they can sell and ship it to you for 1 dollar, hmmm i smell money laundering antics somewhere....
BMSWEB It wasnt faulty originally since he tested it and they were connected earlier in the video. Its just when he ripped it open that he tore the solder joint apart. Still BS either way.
I am an electronics engineer, and I once checked some PCBs being made in in a factory in China. When I dinged them for not having their wrist straps plugged in, my jaw just dropped to the floor when the quality manager (!) proudly said these were the latest tech: wireless wrist straps. I could hardly speak for laughter for a few moments. Then I told them they'd been conned and why. And then I ordered them to scrap the entire production batch I was inspecting.
Just discovered you, because I was looking up anti-static mat reviews and man you are entertaining and educational love it. Probably recommend you to a few friends that are thinking of building a pc to know how esd works a little better.
I know this is an old video, but these are still for sale. I think you might have missed something - I saw this on an auction listing: "Please Note: For best results *wear the anti-static band for at least 15 minutes* before beginning work on any sensitive equipment. Make sure that the inner stainless steel back is touching the bare skin on your arm." - I'm sure that makes all the difference.
I woke this morning and had to watch! Hilarious! I find it shocking that people are buying these and really believing that they work. Usually I would not take the time to even consider a look at a product like this but you make it entertaining! :)
I don't know about anyone else, but when I watch this video, I get an ad beneath the video for cordless anti static wrist straps... I truly do appreciate the irony.
You simply need to install the high-intensity gamma emitter material in the wrist strap. It will ionize the air around you, providing a conductive path to ground. Yes, eventually your arm falls off, but very convenient in the mean time.
As far as I know the premise with these things is not that it keeps you grounded 24x7, but that it's a safe way to discharge yourself occasionally. If you're moving around a lot, and only doing very occasional work that requires you to be grounded, it's a hassle attaching and detaching your strap, but you can tap that screw on something grounded for a moment and discharge yourself without harm, despite not having a permanent tether. A grounding mat at your workstation is still a far better method, but I can see a use case for such a thing to exist, people just see "cordless grounding strap" translated from chinese and jump to conclusions... Even for those who aren't technicians, but maybe just have an environment or dress habits that lead to high static buildup, are sick of shocks, and want a safe, pain free method to ground themselves. Slightly dorky looking but could hide under sleeves and such too. Better than dragging a grounding strap behind your shoes :P
Heck, take it further and make a dissipative mobile phone cover, with a high-ish surface resistance you could hold and tap on railings and things to prevent shocks when walking around, there'd probably be tons of people keen on the idea.
"but you can tap that screw on something grounded for a moment" how much static are you building up that you couldn't just tap it with a bare hand? Hell, just tape a resistor to a table leg and tap the end if you want. Enjoy your $.05 grounding experience.
SilentS Well yeah, obviously. They only have to spend $1 on them, it would probably pass safety regulations, not that anyone would check anyways. And when the workers get shocked, it is cheaper to replace them than having had to spend 10 bucks on a real wristband for them.
CLEARLY the metal screw is supposed to make a better electric connection to the air than your entire skin surface area, thus dissipating the charge more quickly. And for only $1? What a bargain!
Im pretty sure you supposed to touch that screw that's on the top onto a grounded surface before handling sensitive circuitry to discharge any static that you had built up. Obviously not wireless or anything and not as good as a proper corded one but would still work.
You don't need a resistor for that. If you use a screwdriver you wouldn't feel it either. Go try it. Get a screwdriver and hold the metal part, charge yourself up with wool socks on a carpet and tap a big metal surface. I once had to unpack a load of stuff from bubble wrap and got zapped all the time. Using a screwdriver to discharge on a metal closet every now and then did the job just fine.
In a professional electronic manufacturing environment, such as a PCB assembly company, part of the ESD protocol is to test the ESD strap at the door before entering the ESD controlled area. To make sure, the tester checks for a resistance between about 500K and 10M . So open circuit fails, and so does a short. The resistor is there for safety of the operator in case they accidentally touch something live like 110/240V. The resistor limits the current through the wearer. In the case of actual ESD, it slows down the time to discharge, but since it is continuously connected (in a real strap with cord connected to ground) the charge does not get a chance to build up. The reason something like this gets a chance of being thought to be effective is that the built in resistor fakes out the tester, reporting that these cordless devices are "good" . Go do a search on ebay for "esd strap tester". They aren't testing that the ESD strap is effective at dissipating a static charge, only that it has the right resistance.
While working as a systems engineer for a consumer electronics company it was part of the job to evaluate component suppliers. On one trip to China my college was touring a family run speaker maker to determine if the company had the capacity and quality to meet our requirements. As he was touring the assembly line it was pointed out to him that they were using the latest and greatest wireless static straps. Apparently this new wireless static control was introduced by one of the elder members of the family that ran the business. So even thou the formally trained younger staff knew the wireless static straps were useless they could not say anything to the highly respected elder managers. Needless to say this company did not get our business. :-)
I've seen these before! The "theory" of how they worked was based on the presence of a high surface area conductive material located where the resistor was installed to collect the charge. The material in the one we took apart was copper "wool", like a piece of loose solder wick. As you can probably guess, they were about as effective as the one you tested here, so I guess they figured why bother adding the expensive metal.
I wonder if it was meant to have a metal plate somewhere nearby that you reach over to touch the strap to the plate to disspiate the charge, and then go back to whatever you're doing without having to connect and reconnect. Kinda defeats the purpose of working with an ESD strap though, if you constantly have to have your arm touching the panel...
Great vid Dave, I really like how you showed your body's actual charge. All of the training videos I've seen just have the usual glass rod and wool setup. I think the real magic here is that they can assemble and ship these for $1 and still make money!
The price of 1$ is still kind of impressive! There is some molded plastic, a wristband, some bent metal and a resistor. Plus freight. I couldn't manufacture that so cheap.
I've seen people trying to use these, also people trying to connect the stud on their conventional wriststrap to a stud on their ESD shirt in the hope that will mean they don't have to tether to the table. I wonder if these people also sell wireless multimeter probes, or some handy pre tinned solder braid.
How about sitting in a grounded metal chair, would that be a convenient way to reduce the risk of static? Maybe even low-impedance shoes with a Mylar lining, a safety resistor and some sort of conductor in the tread. Don't really know much about static but it seems plausible to me.
The fact that the resistor was apparently connected to that screw (but broke off) makes me wonder if this was intended to be some INCREDIBLY cheap standard anti-static strap that were left over half-finished as surplus without their grounding wire, and people who had thousands of these things left over in a warehouse decided to just slap a sticker on them claiming they were "wireless" to unload them onto suckers.
As always, Dave, you make a foul-mouthed and TOTALLY instructive & entertaining video. Ooohhh... all those equipment... I'm having an EEgasm :-D Anyways, well done! I always love quantitative mythbusting, especially yours.
This thing is dangerous. There is no safety resistor between the big screw and the surface. Only the thin label may insulate a bit. Would you wear that when working on powered equipment??
Kind of funny you mention the barefoot thing. A couple weeks ago I had to explain that one when someone brought a computer to work on and after sitting it on my work table I proceeded to take my shoes off. The other benefit, you can feel a short to ground very easily like this, will make the hair on your arms raise the moment your hand goes near a grounded chasis, wont feel that if you have an ESD strap on your arm.
I'm a beginner EE enthusiast and I love your channel so much. Thank you for opening my eyes to a lot of secrets of EE that I can't seem to learn myself. I'm just wondering where did you originally learn EE and if so was it on hot own?
How do the conventional corded ones work? Dos and don'ts about where to connect the clip? Is it ok to just clip it to any metal lump in your vicinity? Can you connect it to a floating ground, let's say the grounding stud on a double insulated turntable or amplifier? I live in Norway where many old houses use the IT power distribution system (or sometimes TT, when the disneuter in tre transformer kiosk has failed). Many old houses do not have earthed outlets. Where do you clip the wrist strap if there is no house earth (not in the room you're in anyway)? To the casing of the item you're working on? Do you then connect the item's earth to an earthed outlet? What if there is a signal ground/0v rail, do you connect this one to earth too as it's galvanically isolated?
you just did a reverse infomercial. Make people not buy things. But wait! Theres less!
LOL you are a genius! :-)
"Do not buy now. Save $0,99 and if you don't call, you don't get our special worthless addition for it".
NEW IMPROVED anti-static wriststrap(tm) [1]
.
.
[1] Not intended for use as an anti-static wrist strap.
Is there anything you don't have a meter for?
FDK Yes, I don't have a P.K.E. Meter
EEVblog LOL! Ghostbuster refrence....
EEVblog Fek. I had to look that one up. Lol
EEVblog ...yet
FDK I don't think he has a DC surface charge meter
maybe "cordless" is engrish for "cord not included" ?
Shanjaq Totally possible, otherwise, why would they have an external screw?
Shanjaq It's so obvious... Stupidity of Dave's videos rising over the time.
Not really, as the ADS for them are claiming what Dave is testing. Even if the original manufacturer's meant it to have a cable.
"This cordless wristband enables you to work without the restriction of a gorund lead" (sic)
Oh yeah, didn't think of that
one wonders how they put the screw in there with the resistor soldered in place? :o
Did anyone check the fine print in the advertisement for the "Cordless Anti-Static Strap"? It probably says "Cord sold separately."
USWaterRockets Usually "cordless" means that it doesn't use a cord to work. If it did say cord sold separately, there would be no place for the cord to attach as there is no stud for it to be held in. Besides, it'd be pretty silly to sell the cord separately.
Red Ramone I thought my sarcasm was obvious. Sorry for the confusion.
USWaterRockets Man, my mistake. I feel like such a dumbass ;p. Sarcasm is hard to convey through youtube comments xD
USWaterRockets You should try "bazinga!".
Red Ramone No big deal. No harm done. :-)
You cheated by using a real strap to attach your charge to the plate. If you used two wireless straps for the test, than the charge would dissipate in no time. ϟ MAGIC ϟ
PinkTurtleFart Doh! My entire test methodology is shot!
PinkTurtleFart Not just two. You'd need to put some round both ankles as well. One large one round your waist and then one round the neck like a dog collar. Then they'd work. Guaranteed.
PinkTurtleFart But what if one discharges into the other?!
Isn't that how solar roadways work?
PinkTurtleFart Solar roadways needed more wriststrap.
When Dave was charging himself with static electricity he looked like Marty using the hover board over water.
márcio lima sousa Damn, you are right! So should have worn my Marty McFly hat!
@@EEVblog where did you get the high voltage supply thanks Ben great video by the way☺
Not only is it useless, but it gives the unsuspecting a false sense of security, thus causing more HARM than good. It's like buying a NEW car with defective brakes. Shame on the sellers of this device. Thumbs up.
There is only one use for it making techs and engineers laugh, sadly somebody took it beyond a the joke and made it and sold it. Then again there are enough people who feel you can work on electronics without esd protection.
I love when you do that smell thing. Too funny. It is so humid where I live, that static electricity is nonexistent. The only time I ever used anti-static bands was when I was living in Arizona. I could not close a car door w/o being shocked due to how dry it was. Excellent Video!
I love that this is a quantitative test vs just pointing out it logically doesn't make sense
actually showing it doesn't do anything is so much better
I just love the non stop enthusiasm -- the only thing that kept me going in this video! Hysterical!
+Gary Rudd I can't stand it. I wish he would take some downers before filming. Or at least tell me what he's on.
Hes great value! I do think there's just a little too much facepalming though ;)
Just attach a spare wire to the screw and you have yourself a working $1 anti-static wrist strap.
I attach a wire to the ground screw of my hifi turntable the other end to anywhere on myself with sellotape.
I thought he'd say _"What time is it? It's Bullshit time!"_
EpicLPer Me too lol :D
Of course it didn't work, you forgot to put the aluminium hat on :D
And the magnetic shoe soles lmao
EEVblog is undoubtedly my new favorite youtube channel. You make everything fun to learn. Good job!!!
Robert-Yves Germain Thanks!
Robert-Yves Germain So what did you learn now? That charge did not dissipates immediatelly through the air? You must be genius...
It makes you wonder what electronic minded person would choose to buy this product!
google Account Well Dave fell for it when he first opened it.
Svinogalya Is that all you obtained from this video?
Funny you're talking about this because I just started a computer servicing course and we were given these as part of our kit
***** I'll contact my tutor for data recovery (the class we use them in) and make her aware of this right now.
***** With ESD damage, your expensive video card may work for 5 minutes or 5000 years. With the static strap, it will always work for 5000 years... People can't really understand that you don't need to see a spark to know that damage has been done. Years ago a friend worked for a popular microphone company here in the US. When something was damaged, they'd uncap the IC sometimes and go directly to the employee that was known to 'forget' his strap and summarily terminate him. An IC that has ESD damage actually has craters and holes literally blown into the silicon under an electron microscope.
I so wish that guys that build PCs would go through mandatory ESD training and certification. It should be required to get that A+ or MCSE or whatever ppl get nowadays.
E2qNX8btraQ3zRD6J7fc No it shouldn't because it's not as big a problem as it once was. Back in the 80s it was a real issue, so much so Apple released a video on ESD Danger. Most parts now are protected. I've built several PCs on a bed (granted on a ESD mat) in a carpeted bedroom. Never blown or damaged anything. All parts have lasted until I've decided to do upgrades.
you ever have a computer that locked up? any blue screens of death? There's a term coined years and years ago by those challenged to eradicate ESD issues, it's called called 'the walking dead'. A part is damaged by somebody; it's GOING to fail or be flaky. It may work but it is in fact damaged. Don't tell me that it's not a problem anymore. It's more of a problem now than it was years ago. They're making stuff with processes that use a couple dozen nanometers. Ultra ultra sensitive stuff.
Computer parts manufacturers assume that there are going to be failures because of ESD. It's good for business, as long as it's not the manufacturer's fault.
E2qNX8btraQ3zRD6J7fc
I'm an IT Engineer. The only lock ups and blue screens were all software related.
don't like cords? put an esd mat on the floor and work barefoot.
Maltfalc Heck, when I build PC's (and I've been doing so for nearly 20 years, since I was around 8) I work barefoot and keep a spare PSU plugged in but powered off nearby so I can ground-out by touching it with my foot when I have to leave and come back or otherwise need a footrest (and as a footrest it keeps me constantly grounded without risk of yanking a limb out of socket if I need to move weirdly and suddenly, unlike with a strap-and-cord).
Lino, hardwood, carpet (NOT shag carpet though), tile. I've worked on them using the PSU as grounding method and not fried a single board or component so far.
ElNeroDiablo same here.
ElNeroDiablo It's unusual to 'kill' a device through ESD, normally you'd find it fails early, or you'll get the odd BSOD or random error in a piece of PC equipment.
Just grounding yourself is not necessarily a good thing, you need *everything* to be at the same potential. If a PCB is already charged and you touch it you will still damage the oxide layers in the semiconductors hence why ESD mats are important.
Maltfalc Am I the only one who's not worried about ESD when working with computers? Sure, I discharge myself on a non painted part of a radiator now and then, but I rarely do it.
Jordan O'C I don't worry about it. I install the PSU first and leave it plugged in. Grounds the entire chassis and all the components as you install them.
Well...What a chocker! :D
It's not entirely "useless" though, it's a relatively "cheap" encapsulation for a wearable electronics project.
Well, they want your money.....
Maria Engström AND it comes with a free resistor! what a deal!
How much would that resistor cost, anyway?
Not even 10 cents.
Amir Hakimi-Rezaei lol! :D
Finally someone has taken the time to debunk this criminal misinformation.
Why criminal? Because unsuspecting buyers spend money on this fraud and then it might even go as far as resulting in the destruction of their $500 Pentium processor.
I'm sorry for you loss
*****
I'm inclined to disagree there, having money to buy stuff in no way precludes you from having no idea on how the world works in regard to what you've bought..
The last time a Pentium processor was worth $500 was 1996
Yeah, $499.99992346 was a lot of Money for a Pentium.
it seems like "cordless" just meant it didn't come with the requisite cord? :P
I think so :D
Korona No, they specifically say "eliminates static without the need for a pesky grounding cord". It is a scam.
Nice Dave.
Dave, You should of used the "FAIL" button on this one.
rvprepperwayne Completely forgot that!
They do indeed work.
if Dave had bothered to read the instructions he would have noted that the wireless strap MUST be paired and used with the anti-static router.
Dave could you do a few videos on ESD and ESD safety??
MIBL Vlogs I have several others in a playlist here: th-cam.com/play/PLvOlSehNtuHsKCtJJ_rlRP5qE7lN-1EMX.html
MIBL Vlogs I'd be really good to see an EEVBlog education video on this. Would raise more awareness and I am sure it would be funny too.
sold exclusively on April 1st!
There should be a series debunking phony electronics and scams like the hover board and solar FREAKING roadway
Minh Le You mean thunderf00t's channel?
Yes like thunderf00t's channel, but he does big stuff, i like video about small thing like this.
Minh Le If you browse his videos, there is one talking about the solar roadways.
Minh Le i hope to see the pono player debunked, or the ubeam scam exposed real soon. plz dave!!!
lol i would buy those crap and send it for him to review. i have bunch of shit made in china but i live in another continent.
You're obviously not doing the testing right, you need to build up enough charge so it arcs into the nearest ground.
Frys Electronics sells these. You listening Frys?
Emmanuel Trinidad holy shit, really? I can imagine all the RAM problems and random lockups on the computers they touch because of a damaged device who's lifespan is clicking down towards 0. Enjoy your weird and unfixable computer problems Fry's patrons!
www.frys.com/product/6932377?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
acezone123 $18 wow!
codfury That is one expensive pile of bullshit
Emmanuel Trinidad Wow!! That really says something about Frys. Good research and quality control before reselling it. If I lived close to one of these stores (I'm in Canada) I would be writing to the president of Frys to let him know how good of job they are doing! UNREAL ! ! !
For someone who has no access to proper grounding points/outlets, what do you suggest we do to prevent ESD? (Note: this is common in the place/country we live in, a significant portion of the houses here have 2-pronged outlets)
Still more useful than an iWatch
cheeky
s h o t s
Be great if Dave raved about some bit of awesome tech. Getting bit bored hearing about flappy popped capacitors.
OMG it was faulty :P . . That was gold . . I didn't even know these things existed . . I wonder what other crazy stuff like this exist on ebay.
BMSWEB makes you wonder where there profit come from if they can sell and ship it to you for 1 dollar, hmmm i smell money laundering antics somewhere....
BMSWEB It wasnt faulty originally since he tested it and they were connected earlier in the video. Its just when he ripped it open that he tore the solder joint apart. Still BS either way.
***** They do not need to pay the real shipping cost sins it is subsidized and the manufacturing cost is 20 cent tops.
4:12 That high-voltage generator's dial goes to 11!
ElectroBoom beings me here
I am an electronics engineer, and I once checked some PCBs being made in in a factory in China. When I dinged them for not having their wrist straps plugged in, my jaw just dropped to the floor when the quality manager (!) proudly said these were the latest tech: wireless wrist straps. I could hardly speak for laughter for a few moments. Then I told them they'd been conned and why. And then I ordered them to scrap the entire production batch I was inspecting.
Wow I only had to look at the title and claimed Bullshit!!! I am surprised that the resistor was included!
Glebs Litvjaks That is a very good point!
RoMMeL1337ak47 You also have a good point maybe that was there intention! By the way was that your package in today's mailbag?
They worth it to strip the straps off it to repair a worn regular strap with?
Maybe it's "cordless" as in "cord not included"?
Just discovered you, because I was looking up anti-static mat reviews and man you are entertaining and educational love it. Probably recommend you to a few friends that are thinking of building a pc to know how esd works a little better.
BigClive did a review on this and the one with a wire. He said if you buy the Cordless one attach a wire to the screw on top
TheA_Mboom And yet these ones say in the description "eliminates static without the need for a pesky grounding cord"
I know this is an old video, but these are still for sale. I think you might have missed something - I saw this on an auction listing: "Please Note: For best results *wear the anti-static band for at least 15 minutes* before beginning work on any sensitive equipment. Make sure that the inner stainless steel back is touching the bare skin on your arm." - I'm sure that makes all the difference.
I woke this morning and had to watch! Hilarious! I find it shocking that people are buying these and really believing that they work. Usually I would not take the time to even consider a look at a product like this but you make it entertaining! :)
It might be ok if they sold it as a novelty.
t0f0b0 a novelty? lol
t0f0b0 a novelty? lol
t0f0b0 a novelty? lol
t0f0b0 a novelty? lol
t0f0b0 a novelty? lol
I don't know about anyone else, but when I watch this video, I get an ad beneath the video for cordless anti static wrist straps... I truly do appreciate the irony.
What??? Yours was broken! Maybe it's a magic screw? Now ya got to test it again. ;)
Amazing! You have test in another anti-static devices? For example carpet or clothing?
there is a whole new world of snake oil salesmen out there...and it sure needs people like Dave to save us from them. :)
You simply need to install the high-intensity gamma emitter material in the wrist strap. It will ionize the air around you, providing a conductive path to ground. Yes, eventually your arm falls off, but very convenient in the mean time.
As far as I know the premise with these things is not that it keeps you grounded 24x7, but that it's a safe way to discharge yourself occasionally.
If you're moving around a lot, and only doing very occasional work that requires you to be grounded, it's a hassle attaching and detaching your strap, but you can tap that screw on something grounded for a moment and discharge yourself without harm, despite not having a permanent tether.
A grounding mat at your workstation is still a far better method, but I can see a use case for such a thing to exist, people just see "cordless grounding strap" translated from chinese and jump to conclusions...
Even for those who aren't technicians, but maybe just have an environment or dress habits that lead to high static buildup, are sick of shocks, and want a safe, pain free method to ground themselves. Slightly dorky looking but could hide under sleeves and such too.
Better than dragging a grounding strap behind your shoes :P
Heck, take it further and make a dissipative mobile phone cover, with a high-ish surface resistance you could hold and tap on railings and things to prevent shocks when walking around, there'd probably be tons of people keen on the idea.
"but you can tap that screw on something grounded for a moment" how much static are you building up that you couldn't just tap it with a bare hand? Hell, just tape a resistor to a table leg and tap the end if you want. Enjoy your $.05 grounding experience.
Not sure I do you youtube without you dave, especially right now.
I heard a story about an electronics factory in China where all the workers were wearing these magical voodoo devices. fail.
SilentS Well yeah, obviously. They only have to spend $1 on them, it would probably pass safety regulations, not that anyone would check anyways. And when the workers get shocked, it is cheaper to replace them than having had to spend 10 bucks on a real wristband for them.
ArduinoNerd ESD straps are for protecting sensitive components not people.
SilentS He was mocking china people and being a stereotype idiot and trying to be funny
what if there was a capacitor inside of the wristband instead of a resistor? would it work then?
MrPolymath0 The cap would just collect and store the bullshit :->
MrPolymath0 Just in case you weren't joking -- a capacitor with one leg flapping in the breeze does nothing.
MrPolymath0 Only if it's a flux capacitor.
MrPolymath0 Even if it did work - what happens when you have a fully charged capacitor and you touch the screw?
TheHue's SciTech Depends on the breeze, surely the spare leg _could_ wick the charge out to the passing air?
CLEARLY the metal screw is supposed to make a better electric connection to the air than your entire skin surface area, thus dissipating the charge more quickly. And for only $1? What a bargain!
Im pretty sure you supposed to touch that screw that's on the top onto a grounded surface before handling sensitive circuitry to discharge any static that you had built up. Obviously not wireless or anything and not as good as a proper corded one but would still work.
Tom Nelson You could just touch the grounding surface yourself, without the cordless gizmo.
eddiebruv yes but the strap has a 1meg resister so you dont feel a shock from the static discharge.
You don't need a resistor for that. If you use a screwdriver you wouldn't feel it either. Go try it. Get a screwdriver and hold the metal part, charge yourself up with wool socks on a carpet and tap a big metal surface.
I once had to unpack a load of stuff from bubble wrap and got zapped all the time. Using a screwdriver to discharge on a metal closet every now and then did the job just fine.
In a professional electronic manufacturing environment, such as a PCB assembly company, part of the ESD protocol is to test the ESD strap at the door before entering the ESD controlled area. To make sure, the tester checks for a resistance between about 500K and 10M . So open circuit fails, and so does a short. The resistor is there for safety of the operator in case they accidentally touch something live like 110/240V. The resistor limits the current through the wearer. In the case of actual ESD, it slows down the time to discharge, but since it is continuously connected (in a real strap with cord connected to ground) the charge does not get a chance to build up. The reason something like this gets a chance of being thought to be effective is that the built in resistor fakes out the tester, reporting that these cordless devices are "good" . Go do a search on ebay for "esd strap tester". They aren't testing that the ESD strap is effective at dissipating a static charge, only that it has the right resistance.
While working as a systems engineer for a consumer electronics company it was part of the job to evaluate component suppliers. On one trip to China my college was touring a family run speaker maker to determine if the company had the capacity and quality to meet our requirements. As he was touring the assembly line it was pointed out to him that they were using the latest and greatest wireless static straps. Apparently this new wireless static control was introduced by one of the elder members of the family that ran the business. So even thou the formally trained younger staff knew the wireless static straps were useless they could not say anything to the highly respected elder managers. Needless to say this company did not get our business. :-)
Blast from the past video to watch! My favorite Aussie!
I've seen these before! The "theory" of how they worked was based on the presence of a high surface area conductive material located where the resistor was installed to collect the charge. The material in the one we took apart was copper "wool", like a piece of loose solder wick. As you can probably guess, they were about as effective as the one you tested here, so I guess they figured why bother adding the expensive metal.
Great video, as always! I'm sure i learn at least one thing from every video you do.
Quick search on eBay reveals ~4000 sold just among the current auctions on the first page. The "upgraded" black version shows 103 sold at $8.79!
I wonder if it was meant to have a metal plate somewhere nearby that you reach over to touch the strap to the plate to disspiate the charge, and then go back to whatever you're doing without having to connect and reconnect. Kinda defeats the purpose of working with an ESD strap though, if you constantly have to have your arm touching the panel...
Wished I saw your vid 5 years ago, I built my PC in 2016 (Thank God nothing was fried) and the store owner recommended this to me. Never going back.
What kind of test leads are you using at around 1:50?
Anybody? I have several Fluke meters but none of my leads or Fluke ones I've seen look like that.
Great vid Dave, I really like how you showed your body's actual charge. All of the training videos I've seen just have the usual glass rod and wool setup.
I think the real magic here is that they can assemble and ship these for $1 and still make money!
Did it at least ship with a free WiFi cable considering this strap is worthless?
These work great as long as you remain grounded at all tines.
EEVblog Awesome teardown and review as always. Keep fighting the good fight against bad products!
YES!! I've been waiting for you to do this for a long time. Thanks!
The price of 1$ is still kind of impressive! There is some molded plastic, a wristband, some bent metal and a resistor. Plus freight. I couldn't manufacture that so cheap.
I've seen people trying to use these, also people trying to connect the stud on their conventional wriststrap to a stud on their ESD shirt in the hope that will mean they don't have to tether to the table. I wonder if these people also sell wireless multimeter probes, or some handy pre tinned solder braid.
Anybody know what kind of leads those are 1:50? I have several Fluke meters but none of my leads or Fluke ones I've seen look like that.
Keep a few resistors in your pocket, works wirelesly!
How about sitting in a grounded metal chair, would that be a convenient way to reduce the risk of static? Maybe even low-impedance shoes with a Mylar lining, a safety resistor and some sort of conductor in the tread. Don't really know much about static but it seems plausible to me.
4:16 Why does the PSU have an SO-239 RF connector on the front?
tehPwnzor7306 At a guess because it's OK at 1kV and accepts a 4mm plug.
Dave, can you find[?] more items to test and debunk? Great video.
Just curious, but is it possible to built a thing? Maybe an ankle strap to a shoe that was metal on the bottom?
The fact that the resistor was apparently connected to that screw (but broke off) makes me wonder if this was intended to be some INCREDIBLY cheap standard anti-static strap that were left over half-finished as surplus without their grounding wire, and people who had thousands of these things left over in a warehouse decided to just slap a sticker on them claiming they were "wireless" to unload them onto suckers.
My school had some of these in a Cisco classroom. I wondered if they could possibly work.
Whats wrong with putting the regular corded one on your ankle.
clearly it's just a poor translation of 'Anti static bracelet - (cord not included)' ha
As always, Dave, you make a foul-mouthed and TOTALLY instructive & entertaining video.
Ooohhh... all those equipment... I'm having an EEgasm :-D
Anyways, well done! I always love quantitative mythbusting, especially yours.
This thing is dangerous. There is no safety resistor between the big screw and the surface. Only the thin label may insulate a bit. Would you wear that when working on powered equipment??
Okay so I never used an anti-static wristband yet I never fried any electronics. So if I get one where do I connect it for it to work?
Are u sure u checked your blinking fluids
can you send it to a capacitator and get rid of the charge?
Good on ya, Dave. I'm using this for my ESD training classes.
What if one wore a giant brass sombrero on his head? Would this naturally dissipate the static electricity?
Good job and also your 555 circuit teashirt is very good
Why did they put the capacitor ? What was the purpose ?
I am not sure about antistatics but since I am wearing this, I got a better nights sleep, my skin looks healthier and even some of my hair grew back.
This might not be your field but can you review "thync" . thank you :)
Kind of funny you mention the barefoot thing. A couple weeks ago I had to explain that one when someone brought a computer to work on and after sitting it on my work table I proceeded to take my shoes off. The other benefit, you can feel a short to ground very easily like this, will make the hair on your arms raise the moment your hand goes near a grounded chasis, wont feel that if you have an ESD strap on your arm.
I'm a beginner EE enthusiast and I love your channel so much. Thank you for opening my eyes to a lot of secrets of EE that I can't seem to learn myself. I'm just wondering where did you originally learn EE and if so was it on hot own?
your* not hot. lol
Dave, you never plugged in the ESD receiver! ;p
The Woo strap requires high humidity to work.
The spoiler being high humidity tends to reduce static anyway.
Maybe the seller mistranslated the item description. Maybe this is a regular anti static wristband but the cord is sold separately.
Are there any anti-static cordless straps that do work?! I need one for every day wear as I am constantly being shocked
Why exactly is there a 1 meg resistor both on your ground point and in the strap cord? I believe so you wouldn't be killed by too big current, right?
if i don't have all of these where should i connect the anti static wristband???????
How do the conventional corded ones work? Dos and don'ts about where to connect the clip? Is it ok to just clip it to any metal lump in your vicinity?
Can you connect it to a floating ground, let's say the grounding stud on a double insulated turntable or amplifier?
I live in Norway where many old houses use the IT power distribution system (or sometimes TT, when the disneuter in tre transformer kiosk has failed). Many old houses do not have earthed outlets. Where do you clip the wrist strap if there is no house earth (not in the room you're in anyway)? To the casing of the item you're working on? Do you then connect the item's earth to an earthed outlet? What if there is a signal ground/0v rail, do you connect this one to earth too as it's galvanically isolated?
There's a 142 pissed off eBay sellers that watched this video...