An antistatic grounding bench mat or grounding floor mat is one of a number of grounding devices designed to help eliminate the damaging effect that static has on electronic components. It does this by combining a static-dissipative top layer with a conductive backing layer. The mat must then be grounded (earthed). This is usually accomplished by plugging into the grounded line of an electrical outlet or any other safe grounding point. It is important to discharge at a relatively slow rate so that the amount of static you build up in your body as you move about is discharged at the same rate. Please read our FAQs on static electricity.