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Discharges of static electricity to laptop circuitry can have catastrophic results. To prevent static charge build-up, it is important to ground yourself while working on sensitive electronics. "The purpose of a wrist strap and ground cord is to prevent static charge from accumulating on a person involved in electronic assembly or repair operations. Rapid static dissipation by a wrist strap ground cord is required to prevent voltage spikes due to capacitive changes relative to ground caused by body movements. Simple movements such as lifting one foot off the floor or raising one arm from a conductive table mat may change body capacitance by as much as 10% to 30% relative to ground. Uncontrolled, the capacitively created voltage may reach several hundred volts or more." -3M Technical Brief