Static is produced by the contact and separation of materials: Shoes and floors, clothes and the
human body, parts being moved on or from surfaces. The generated charge will reside on the
body until it is discharged the familiar "zap" that all of us have experienced. It's the "zap" that does
the damage. If we can prevent any static charge from building up on the body, then there is
essentially nothing to be discharged. A properly grounded ESD Wrist Strap effectively prevents
any static charge from building up. Any static charge that would tend to be created is instantly
"drained" by the ESD Wrist Strap. The wrist strap maintains the potential equilibrium that is
accomplished the hard way with the "zap".