Belkin Anti-Static Wrist Band with Adjustable Grounding
by Belkin Inc.
|
List Price: Our Price: $2.45 You Save: $5.54 (69%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more product details |
|---|
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Belkin Anti-Static Wrist Band with Adjustable Grounding
Customer Review: Test proves that wristband doesn't work
Summary: 1 Stars
It has been said by a reviewer on here that it's hard to prove if such a device will work, on the contrary it can be quite easily and quickly tested using a cheap household multimeter.
I bought one of these (to be fair it was a quick delivery and was very well packaged) and carried out a test with my multimeter. Testing both unprotected and then being 'grounded' with the Belkin wristband showed no difference in electrostatic voltage and in both cases the multimeter read (at that time of measurement) 32.00 millivolts.
On the other hand and out of curiosity, I thought I'd see what the reading would be by wearing a cheap pair of disposable latex gloves (the type that you can often buy with 100 in a box). The reading was 0.02 millivolts! The gloves practically zeroed the electrostatic voltage on my hands proving an outstanding method for use with electrical components.
Conclusion: Forget about this wristband and wear a pair of disposable latex gloves, it is also far more practical as there is no cable attaching you to the computer case etc. If you want proof of my claim use a multimeter and you will see for yourself. To do this have your left hand's thumb and index finger pinch the negative probe (black) and have your right hand's thumb and index finger pinch the positive probe (red), set to the 200mV scale on the multimeter and you are ready to conduct the tests.
Customer Review: not bad
Summary: 4 Stars
What's to say... it's an anti-static wrist strap! Basically it is put around your wrist while working inside your computer and cliped to an unpainted metal surface. What that does is ground you so that you wont accidentally zap your computer's motherboard or delicate electronics with a static discharge. If you work inside your PC a lot this is very nice to have, though not 100% necessarry (just touching a metal surface every now and then will work too).
Don't ignore the danger static charge poses to your computer's inards. A spark of static contains several thousand volts of electricity and will easily burn out the circuitry of your expensive envestment of a computer. This is especially true if you live in a dy climate or have carpet, or otherwise are more prone to static build up. Take my word for it, it only has to happen once and your $1000 Computeing behemoth becomes one very expensive and unfashionable paper wieght.
A strap like this is advisable to any who work on thier computers often or who live in static prone areas. This particular one is pretty good (they're all mostly the same). Only real complaint is that I wish the wrist band had been elastic instead of velcro.
Customer Review: perfect for what it is
Summary: 5 Stars
When you're working on the inside of your computer, you really should use one of these straps. The likelihood that your data have electric charge in short something out isn't that great, I've done many many repairs before buying one of these, but they're an extra insurance policy that doesn't cost much. The basic idea is that the metal in the strip will ground you when you attach it to the case and equalize any electric charge so it doesn't get transferred to components that are sensitive to shock.
There's really not much more to it. It one side that just clamps onto something, and the other that's cheap Velcro that holds the metal against your skin. It works great and I have no complaints about. To be honest, I can't really think it would matter much which brand you got of these. They all seem to be basically the same design same function. Of course check reviews to make sure it's not some complete piece of garbage, but as a general rule my advice would be just to pick the cheapest unit you can find.
Customer Review: Suitable
Summary: 3 Stars
The band is reasonably well made for the price, and is suitable for moderate use. It could be just a few inches longer, but is not bad. 17.5 inches not stretched, 44 inches at a reasonable stretch. The stretching has a little tougher pull than I would prefer, but is not bad. The wrist band is not elastic, which some may prefer. It fastens by a metal loop and Velcro strap, which can be a little of a nuisance to put on. If they made the metal loop 1/8 inch wider to allow the strap to pass through it easier, it would be better. The alligator clip can be removed, leaving an elongated pin that can be inserted into the ground hole of an outlet. Where the wire snaps to the wrist strap, the snap attaches and detaches easily. The snap rotates freely without any hangups. The usual 1 megohm resistance.Customer Review: BUY at your own peril, this bracelet did NOT function.
Summary: 1 Stars
Okay, to neutralize the static charge from an object, you need a connection. The connection in this case being the metal wire in the Belkin Antistatic Bracelet.
So following this logic, I took it out, tested it with an electrical current from a fresh 9 volt battery, and there wasn't any electrical connection from the metal wrist pad to the clip! Somewhere between the detachable snap and clip was faulty.
Returning the thing to Newegg was too costly, so I salvaged the bracelet part and made my own wire and clip to attach to it. NOW it works.
Likely, not all 95% of satisfied users checked this product for functionality prior to use. I would recommend they do so.
BUY AT A LOCAL STORE TO RETURN FOR FREE.. OR AVOID THIS BELKIN PRODUCT ENTIRELY!!