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| Thread ID: 96883 | 2009-01-27 09:21:00 | Preventing static shocks | FoxyMX (5) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 742438 | 2009-01-27 09:21:00 | This question has been asked previously but as the circumstances are different I'd like some fresh ideas . I often get static shocks at home when touching metal objects, particularly the toaster and sinkbench . As it is crucial that I avoid all static electricity I would like to know how I can prevent this happening . The shocks usually happen on colder days and during the winter when I am wearing synthetic slippers with or without woollen socks and after I have walked across wool carpet . Touching the stainless steel toaster or bench then results in a bit of a bite . The clothing worn when this happens is usually poly-cotton or wool in wintertime as opposed to cotton clothing during summer but I suspect that the slippers are the culprits as I don't remember it happening when I have bare feet . Would wearing rubber-soled footwear solve this issue completely or is there something else I can do to avoid the shocks? |
FoxyMX (5) | ||
| 742439 | 2009-01-27 09:33:00 | If you can find a bit of the conductive foam that was used to package ic's and stick a bit on each offending article, you can just touch the foam first and allow the static to dissipate more gently, thus less painfully. Anything with a fairly high resistance that allows the charge to bleed away will do the trick. (Much like using a blade of grass to test an electric fence without orbiting your eyeballs.) Plan B, the one I use is to live in a place with higher humidity, but that doesn't work for electric fences. |
R2x1 (4628) | ||
| 742440 | 2009-01-27 09:38:00 | Walking on normal house carpet will create static electricity with every step, thats why when you touch something that will allow the static out like something metal it will transfer easy . Rubber would work better in stopping it - my better half, if she wears socks (any sort) and sometimes depending on what I'm wearing if she touches me ( ewww :p ) I often get a "static belt" from her . Certain times of the year, and this may sound silly but its true - she has what she calls her electric undies - if shes wearing them and the weathers right - any of the detectors in stores that are at doors to stop shop lifters they will set off the alarms when she walks through them . :lol: |
wainuitech (129) | ||
| 742441 | 2009-01-27 09:38:00 | Wear nothing but lingerie and high heels. The higher the better. |
Metla (12) | ||
| 742442 | 2009-01-27 10:51:00 | Tak a key or fork with u. When you want to touch the benhtop or sink, touche it with the key first. That way u grund yourself without getting zapped. | bob_doe_nz (92) | ||
| 742443 | 2009-01-27 19:17:00 | If you can find a bit of the conductive foam that was used to package ic's and stick a bit on each offending article, you can just touch the foam first and allow the static to dissipate more gently, thus less painfully . Does it have to actually be stuck to the surface? The toaster gets hot . . . What if I put it on the SS benchtop, touch it then touch the toaster? Will that prevent a zap? Wear nothing but lingerie and high heels . The higher the better . Mets, be practical . A frozen lizard in the middle of winter is no good to anybody . :rolleyes: Tak a key or fork with u . When you want to touch the benhtop or sink, touche it with the key first . That way u grund yourself without getting zapped . I'm not sure that getting "grunded" is less risky than getting zapped :p How does touching the benchtop with a metal fork prevent me from getting zapped? Won't the fork zap me instead? :stare: |
FoxyMX (5) | ||
| 742444 | 2009-01-27 19:27:00 | How does touching the benchtop with a metal fork prevent me from getting zapped? Won't the fork zap me instead? :stare: The idea behind this is that you're already holding the fork, so the current is distributed over a far larger area. As a result, you don't get the sharp pain associated with a spark between some random object and your skin - often you won't notice it at all. The problem with this though is that sometimes the zap is still large enough to notice, and all the sparking between the random object and the fork will ruin the finish on the fork - if you have a decent set of cutlery you probably care about this. |
Erayd (23) | ||
| 742445 | 2009-01-27 20:17:00 | I think that FoxyMX is less concerned with the pain from a zap, than potential damage to sensitive equipment that she may be wearing/carrying... Correct me if I'm wrong, Foxy... Isn't the equipment built with some anti-static cleverness built-in? I would think that static electricity would be a problem in countries other than NZ. What does the literature that came with the gear say? |
johcar (6283) | ||
| 742446 | 2009-01-27 20:55:00 | Does it have to actually be stuck to the surface? The toaster gets hot... What if I put it on the SS benchtop, touch it then touch the toaster? Will that prevent a zap? If there is a cool but accessible metal toaster piece that is near the base of the toaster, that would be a good place to stick it. Otherwise, your idea of having a touch pad on the benchtop will work - IF the toaster metalwork and the benchtop are electrically connected, by a very short length of bath chain dangling off the toaster f'r instance. I have some doubts about Erayd's scheme with the cutlery - forking your toaster is not a recommended manoeuvre in my Boy's Book Of Cunning Electrical Tricks. ;) Plan X = Keep moving briskly, then it will only be mobile electricity that can get you, the static stuff will be left in your dust. P.S. for this to work, "brisk" is quite fast and may be tiring. Approx. C + 10% should work. ;) |
R2x1 (4628) | ||
| 742447 | 2009-01-27 21:49:00 | The problem is the generation of static electrical charges, not the dissipation of them. It is the combination of your footwear and your carpet and/or other flooring that is the problem. The low humidity on colder days is the principal reason for the increase in shocks so a humidifier might help. Options include changing your footwear, which may be a bit haphazard as the replacements could be just as bad, or your flooring can be treated with an anti-static spray (at a cost), and it is also possible to buy discharge straps that you put on your shoes but that may be inconvenient in practice. If it is mainly around metal (grounded) appliances that you have the problem, keep a damp cloth or sponge handy on the bench and touch that with your fingers before touching the benchtop or any metal appliance. Static is a fact of life in low humidity environments and it gets everybody to some extent. I get shocks if I forget to touch the inbuilt ground-pad in the interior door handle when getting out of my car so I automatically touch the door with my elbow once out (because it doesn't hurt as much there, that's why) to discharge myself just in case. Cheers Billy 8-{) :thumbs: PS Static electricity is a problem everywhere in the world except those areas with unbearable humidity. |
Billy T (70) | ||
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