Static charge on your person

CaptainChewbacca · Post by **CaptainChewbacca** » 2008-02-15 04:25pm

Okay, maybe I'm a bit more susceptible to static charge buildup than most, but here's a fun fact about Chewie:

When its cold & windy, like today, my beard can build up a static charge strong enough to arc to my watch and hurt like a motherfucker!. Does this happen to anyone else? I walk through my office tapping on walls and doors like I've got OCD just to dissipate my charge so I won't spark when I try to open a filing cabinet.

Seriously, what is it about me? Also, I've heard keeping a dryer sheet in my pants pocket will help, any truth to that?

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2008-02-15 04:29pm

Just touch a metal object frequently (like your watch!) to discharge any build-ups before they get too large.

Or shave. Whichever is easier.

CaptainChewbacca · Post by **CaptainChewbacca** » 2008-02-15 04:34pm

Admiral Valdemar wrote:Just touch a metal object frequently (like your watch!) to discharge any build-ups before they get too large.

Or shave. Whichever is easier.

I build up static charges even when I'm clean-shaven.

Post by **LadyTevar** » 2008-02-15 04:46pm

The dryer sheet works only to keep your clothing from sticking to you. Office + Dress/Skirt + Static = Dress Clings to all your curves in the Wrong Way. There's anti-static sprays that don't harm fabrics that help with it, however. Cant' think of the brand-names off the top of my head, tho.

Other than that? Grin and bear it, hon. Cubical farms are made of fabric walls, which collect static, along with the carpet. Then, it's winter, with drier office air and people wearing wool and sweaters for warm, which also add static. So... just touch metal, hon, and hope you don't fry the office computer like that.

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2008-02-15 04:47pm

What type of fabrics do you wear? Some materials tend to build up charges more than others.

CaptainChewbacca · Post by **CaptainChewbacca** » 2008-02-15 04:48pm

General Zod wrote:What type of fabrics do you wear? Some materials tend to build up charges more than others.

Denim, cotton, and whatever dickies work pants are made of. Geologists get to wear office-casual most of the time.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2008-02-15 06:03pm

CaptainChewbacca wrote:
I build up static charges even when I'm clean-shaven.

Make a costume and fight crime, then.

aerius · Post by **aerius** » 2008-02-15 06:21pm

Just do what electronics technicians have done for ages, use a grounding strap and tie it to a grounded metal object.

Johonebesus · Post by **Johonebesus** » 2008-02-15 07:15pm

At the risk of being offensive, would you happen to be a tad stout? If your thighs rub together when you walk, there may not be anything you can do except were shorts.

CaptainChewbacca · Post by **CaptainChewbacca** » 2008-02-15 07:43pm

Johonebesus wrote:At the risk of being offensive, would you happen to be a tad stout? If your thighs rub together when you walk, there may not be anything you can do except were shorts.

I am rather heavy, but I build up a charge SITTING DOWN.

Post by **Broomstick** » 2008-02-15 08:56pm

OK, I can't recommend anti-static sprays enough. Use them on shirts, pants, jackets. They work. The only problem is it seems a lot of them are scented and on the femm side, but you can probably find something...

Here's what you do about the beard - since obviously you don't want to spray your face with that stuff. Take your brush or comb - whatever you use on your beard - and spray THAT with the anti-static spray, then quickly comb your beard. This will put a very light anti-static coat on your hair (I've done this with the hair on my head and it works - don't see why it wouldn't work on the beard). It washes out easily. It might not stop all the zaps, but at least you won't be zapped in the face which sounds really unpleasent to me.

Max · Post by **Max** » 2008-02-15 10:33pm

I have hairy legs that tend to get staticy and attract certain clothing, I found that rubbing my legs down with lotion pretty much helps. Maybe you could try that?

Academia Nut · Post by **Academia Nut** » 2008-02-15 10:53pm

One thing I've figured out is that if you think you're building up a static charge, don't extend your fingers towards any metal objects. The tips of your fingers are sensitive and it stings like a bitch. The knuckles on the other hand don't have anywhere near that sort of sensitivity, so I can get into the habit of "punching" things like door knobs. Great way of grounding yourself without recoiling as several thousand volts leap from your finger tips.

salm · Post by **salm** » 2008-02-17 10:26am

What kind of shocks do you guys recieve? Do they really hurt? I mean i get shocked every day several times when i touch the key code panel of my uni computer pool but it´s not nearly bad enough to warrant the price or wasted time of countermeasures. Anti-static spray... wtf???

Post by **Broomstick** » 2008-02-17 01:30pm

salm wrote:Anti-static spray... wtf???

I wouldn't expect you to know this, but women's formal office wear is quite prone to static build up between the synthetics of the panty hose, the wool, and the silk frequently used. Anti-static spray prevents my slip from crawling up my buttocks and turning itself into a bustle (not fashionable since around 1890 or so), my skirt from adhering to my legs, my shirt from clinging to any sort of jacket I'm wearing...

Given that a can of the stuff lasts a long time it's pretty cheap, too.

Molyneux · Post by **Molyneux** » 2008-02-17 02:34pm

salm wrote:What kind of shocks do you guys recieve? Do they really hurt? I mean i get shocked every day several times when i touch the key code panel of my uni computer pool but it´s not nearly bad enough to warrant the price or wasted time of countermeasures. Anti-static spray... wtf???

Two words: electronic components.
I have myself, in a very dry environment, zapped myself on a (thankfully obsolete) circuit board; there's a reason any good computer helpdesk tells you to ground yourself before working with the innards of a PC.

CaptainChewbacca · Post by **CaptainChewbacca** » 2008-02-17 02:39pm

I work with electronics in a cool, dry office. Just walking BY a file cabinet will sometimes cause me to spark. I've generated VISIBLE arcs about 3/4 of an inch long unintentionally, and they hurt like a sonofabitch.

I'll try grounding myself.