What is the purpose of a conductive wrist strap?

The purpose of a conductive wrist strap is primarily to prevent the buildup of static charges on a technician's body. When working with sensitive electronic components, even a small static discharge can cause significant damage. The wrist strap is designed to continually ground the technician, allowing any static electricity that accumulates to be dissipated safely. By maintaining a neutral electrical potential relative to the equipment being handled, the risk of electrostatic discharge (ESD) is minimized, thereby protecting the integrity of delicate electronic components.

This grounding effect is essential in environments where sensitive devices are assembled or repaired, ensuring that static electricity does not pose a threat. Proper use of a conductive wrist strap helps maintain conditions conducive to safe and effective electronic work, particularly in aviation and aerospace applications where reliability is critical.