How can I connect an esd bracelet to ground without a PC?

Metal to metal connections! There are kits which offer a banana plug outlet for the strap like this one ESD Dual Bench Mount Ground for Anti-Static Wrist Straps Which you then connect to the ground leg of the outlet box.

While phone chargers are typically two prong, if you decide to work on PC's you'll want a proper AC outlet with ground.

Hey, great idea... so I just have to connect the the “O” loop to the ground terminal of a 3 prong plug? Then connect something with power to a wall outlet (obviously I’ll have to power the device I’m connecting it too) hop that made sense

Hi,

However you connect the wriststrap to a known earth doesn't matter.

As long as the wriststrap IS connected to earth and that you're wearing it before and when working on devices will ensure that the device will be protected from ESD damage from you handling it.

There doesn't have to be power supplied to the device etc to cause ESD damage from you handling it.

Any static electricity build up in your body will be discharged through the wriststrap to earth. The wriststrap of course has to be touching your skin at the wrist ;-)

Just walking on a carpet can produce 1000's of Volts of static electricity in the body or even the wind can produce it - think of the zap you sometimes may get when opening a car door on a windy day.

@jayeff - True! How you get to earth ground is typically not an issue!

But, to be clear its not Ground its making sure you and all of the pieces you are working with are all at the same Static Charge

Let's use a model to clarify things: You have two containers (i.e. 2 liter bottles) at the bottom of each is a hole and a hose connects the two bottles with a valve in the middle. Both are on a same level surface. If you fill one with water and then open the valve the water will flow to the other bottle. This is the discharge of charge to the other bottle. Here we have the limit of the tube to control the flow of water with a static charge it would fill the other instantly balancing the charge between them. As long as each item is at the same Charge Potential (same filled value) there is no risk of damage!

So adding other bottles interconnected which are all at the same filled level we're OK. The function of 'Ground' is to have a common reference so each device is at the same charge potential (filled level).

So make sure you have a antistatic mat and all of your tools and parts are touching it as well as the device you are working on to be fully safe.

In the winter you likely want to get a humidifier to reduce the static build up and wearing antistatic clothing (cotton) is also a good idea.

As an example the ISS circling the earth has big static issues as it cuts through the upper atmosphere just enough to act like a Van de Graff static generator Yet the equipment inside of the space station is not at risk! And any static buildup within the station is referenced to the inner metal wall of the station (Faraday Cage).