W A R N I N G
You can kill yourself if you connect a grounding strap to AC power mains conductors.
The discussion in this thread and the next is for information only. It is not suggested you follow the information presented because serious injury or death may result.
Electronic components can be damaged by static discharge.
Carpets, friction, insulated surfaces, and even body movement can build up high static voltages; this static can destroy your components.
A grounding wrist strap and a ground connection to your work surface discharges static voltages harmlessly to earth ground.
Ground straps often have a high valued series resistance between your skin and the metal alligator clip.
The resistance in the ‘wrist strap’ seen below is 1 mega ohm.
In the images below, the series resistor in the ‘work surface’ earth ground lead is 2.2 mega ohms.
For added safety, my workbench power outlets are on a ground fault circuit.
