Question for the smart people

[JenniBarra]

I sometimes experience static shocks due to brushing the covers on our family room furniture as I am getting up. I won't know I was building up the static until I touch the handle of our sliding door, for example. It also might happen as the result of ruffling the fur of one of my pets.

 

[low-key]

dumb person checking in

 

[bcla]

Is it real hardwood or laminate? Especially if it's the latter the insulating nature of the plastic can mean a build up of static as your feet rub against the surface.

A lot of plumbing is grounded, so touching the metal will create a path for any static on you to jump. I used to get this a lot on my car. It wasn't so bad if I touched my key to the keyhole, but I could actually see and hear the spark. Didn't hurt if the spark was from the tip of the key to the keyhole.

 

[mom2rtk]

Just checking in to see who all the smart people are.

 

[mrodgers]

It's an electric stove.




No, I have no carpeting in my house. No area rugs either. Plus, I'm not talking about door handles or taps, those don't actually shock me. It's just been when I stick my hand in the sink full of water to do the dishes and when I open our fridge, with a plastic handle. So, I should not be getting shocks from non metallic things.

Note, plastic is a huge problem with static electricity. If you don't think so, come to my work where I've almost gotten knocked off of ladders and the worst was knocked back 8 feet almost onto the floor from static buildup of moving plastic materials. That last one, my entire arm and shoulder was numb for hours.

Added: Does this make me semi smart at least?

 

[Alicefan]

Funny I came upon this thread. Last couple weeks in my classroom I was getting a shock when I would touch the metal door knob. I know that’s not unusual but it had not happened previously, during the winter months. And the floor is tiled. Wasn’t happening to the kids either.

Did you get the vaccine?

 

[prairie_girl]

Added: Does this make me semi smart at least?

I’ll make a one time exception

 

[prairie_girl]

Is it real hardwood or laminate? Especially if it's the latter the insulating nature of the plastic can mean a build up of static as your feet rub against the surface.

A lot of plumbing is grounded, so touching the metal will create a path for any static on you to jump. I used to get this a lot on my car. It wasn't so bad if I touched my key to the keyhole, but I could actually see and hear the spark. Didn't hurt if the spark was from the tip of the key to the keyhole.

It’s probably laminate.