Wrist strap
Alternatively referred to as an antistatic strap or antistatic wrist strap, a wrist strap is a strap that wraps around the users wrist like a bracelet and has a cord or other connection coming from that bracelet that attaches to the device being worked on, clips onto, or plugs into. The wrist strap keeps the user grounded, which helps prevent electrostatic damage to the device being worked on.
In the picture to the right, is a wrist strap with detachable strap around a wrist. Below are some examples of how a user would properly use an antistatic wrist strap.
- While working on a computer you could place your wrist in the strap and attach the other end (often using the alligator clip) to a metal portion of the computer case.
- While working with an electrostatic sensitive hardware you could place your wrist in the strap and plug the other end into an antistatic mat the device is laying on or into an antistatic workbench.
Also see: Antistatic device, Electronics definitions, ESD