gamersnexus MODMAT review of parts

Thank you for purchasing the GamersNexus Anti-Static Modmat! This instructions guide will explain how to properly connect and use the included USA Common Ground Point & Ring Terminal, used to reduce the risk of ESD (electrostatic discharge) to PC components. The modmat is not intended for use as a mousing surface and is not an active test bench (isolate components under test from the mat, as it is anti-static conductive). Please follow this safety & usage guide carefully. Failure to follow included safety guidelines can result in electric shock, fire, or severe injury. There are some notes on non-USA usage in this sheet, for customers located outside of the USA. You can tweet at us (@GamersNexus) or email us (support@gamersnexus.net) for support.

All of these parts will be included with your GN Modmat:

Figure 1: All included accessories with the GamersNexus Anti-Static Modmat (Large).

Step 1:

Attach Banana Plug to Ground Point

Figure 2: Detach the alligator clip (if included) from the terminal end of the anti-static wrist strap. Insert the banana plug into the common ground point.

Our included Anti-Static Wrist Strap terminates in a banana plug. Wrist straps commonly ship with “alligator” clips on the end, but these can be removed by light force to pull the alligator clip off of the banana plug. If an alligator clip is on the end of your wrist strap, remove the alligator clip by hand to expose the banana plug. This banana plug can be inserted into a banana plug receptacle. The included Common Ground Point, illustrated in our Terminology Definition section above, has banana plug receptacles. You may use either one or both, as this allows you to connect multiple wrist bands or grounding wires at once (e.g. for two system builders).

Step 2:

Attach Ground Point to Modmat Snap

Figure 3: Attach the Common Ground Point male stud to the female receptacle.

The first generation GamersNexus Anti-Static Modmat includes a 10mm female snap socket in one corner. The Ground Point can attach to the metal socket, illustrated above, by simply lining-up the socket and stud, then snapping them together. Apply force from both sides of the mat. If you need to remove the Ground Point, simply lift up on the Ground Point to separate it from the mat. This will help ground the work surface and all attached devices to help protect against ESD (electro-static discharge).

Step 3:

Attach Ring Terminal to Ground Location (USA)

WARNING: DO NOT CONNECT TO OR FORM CONTACT BETWEEN THE RING TERMINAL AND A HOT PLUG OR PIN. DO NOT CONNECT RING TERMINAL TO ANY PIN THAT YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND. TEST ALL POINTS OF CONTACT PRIOR TO RING TERMINAL INSTALL.

Figure 4: WARNING(!) READ ALL WARNING TEXT BEFORE PROCEEDING. Connect the Ring Terminal to a Grounding Location.

At this stage, you can connect the ring terminal to the grounding location. For a standard US outlet, assuming a correctly wired building, you may connect the Ring Terminal from the Ground Point cable to a “green wire” grounding point. Attach the ring terminal to the central screw in a US standard 110VAC outlet. The ring terminal should be on the ‘outside’ of the outlet faceplate; remove the screw, mount the ring terminal, and re-insert the screw into its socket. We have found that this is more effective than grounding via the third ground pin on a plug. Not all outlets ground the central screw. Please test or research your outlet to understand its grounding configuration. Failure to properly use the terminal ring, and failure to research the grounding location’s wiring, could result in lack of grounding. Connecting the ring terminal to an incorrect plug or pin in an outlet (e.g. hot plugs) could result in electric shock, fire, and/or severe injury.

NOTE:

USAGE WITHOUT TERMINATING AT AN OUTLET (E.G. NON-US USAGE)

Usage Without Terminating at an Outlet (e.g. Non-US Usage)

Above: An international (UK) ground point adapter example. We have not tested the above with the Modmat. You will need to find something for your country's plugs that will fit t he ring terminal diameter.

Although less effective, you could also plug a PC power supply straight into the wall (without the ground point attached and with the PSU switch off), then tape the ground point to the external PSU shell, or seat the ground point underneath the PSU shell. Painted shells won’t work as well as exposed metal (e.g. grounding to a steel chassis that already has an installed PSU, via taping the ring terminal to the case or using a screw to hold it in place), but this will provide some level of assurance while offering a secondary grounding method, and one which does not require wall receptacle direct connection. Further, if you are located outside of the USA, we would encourage seeking grounding adapters for your wall outlets. These can typically be purchased for a few dollars, but you must do research for your region. Here is an example of a UK ground adapter, sold by PC Valet. GamersNexus, LLC has no affiliation with PC Valet nor this product. You must buy these separately, and must research the safety and usage instructions of such products independently.

In a use case such as this, you would attach the ring terminal to one of the ground standoffs above, then use the washer to secure it in place. Please note that we have not tested this particular adapter -- it is just an example. You will need to check the ring diameter and the adapter screw diameter. Other countries have similar products. Again, these are not needed; you could use a screw to mount the ring terminal to a location on your case, then install a power supply (PSU) and connect that to the wall, with the PSU power switch toggled off.

If you are having trouble figuring out how to ground your device, there are many ways to do it (in all regions). Please contact our support team for assistance: support@gamersnexus.net.

GENERAL SAFETY WARNINGS

Read all safety warnings and all instructions prior to use. Failure to do so may result in electric shock, fire, and/or serious injury.

Plugs must match the outlet. Never modify the plug, outlet, ring terminal, or wrist strap in any way.
The common ground point and ring terminal provided are based upon USA outlets with central grounding screws. Not all US outlets have grounding pins, nor all US plugs, and most countries have their own socket + plug design.
You are responsible for understanding how your wall receptacles, outlets, and plugs are wired. Do not connect anything that you do not understand to a wall outlet. Do not ever connect the ring terminal to a hot wire or hot plug, or something you suspect could be a hot (electrically active) wire; only connect to grounded devices that have a known path to earth. Ensure that the ring terminal has clearance from hot plugs, and does not make a connection to or bridge them.
We have provided some alternatives to wall outlet grounding in this manual, found above; if you feel uncomfortable grounding to an outlet, use one of our alternatives above (e.g. taping the ring terminal to a connected power supply or to a computer case that is grounded).
Do not expose electrical outlets to wet conditions or rain, nor the attached grounding cable (and ring terminal).
If you are still having trouble, or if you are an international user who is uncertain of adapters that could work, please contact our support team (support@gamersnexus.net). We want to help you get this set up!

Thank you for your purchase and use of the GamersNexus Anti-Static Modmat. Should you encounter any questions whatsoever, do not hesitate to reach-out to our team for support. You can also tweet at us @GamersNexus.