Static Shocks in high-rise flats

CrazyChemist_2

Hello, :hello:

My godmother lives in a high-rise block of flats in N.Wales but since workmen renewed the piping to Copper, previously plastic, she's been suffering from awful shocks when she touches anything in the kitchen like hob or kettle, fridge handle, window. Also the radiator in the hall.

She's the only one in the entire building to suffer from this but there's a chap in the other block opposite who has the same problems and again, only since the work was carried out. The electricians have been round and made sure everything is earthed properly but the static is still there.

Anyone know why this is and any self-help methods to help her through? It seems to happen most between November and March and it's been going for too long now and I want this sorted out for her. The "experts" up there aren't sure what to do next, and Liverpool Uni's physics dept was involved but never gave her any feedback or advice :mad:

I'd really appreciate any advice or if anyone else suffers/has suffered from this in the past, please let me know.

Cheers

CC :beer:

gromituk

Nylon carpets?

grumbler

CrazyChemist wrote:

... It seems to happen most between November and March ...

Do you know why during this part of a year? I think because the air is very dry as a result of heating. If I am right, humidifier(s) could help.

jenniferpa

As soemone who suffers with this all the time during the winter I know how annoying it can be. I have the problem particularly when shopping - it's like do it yourself aversion therapy. Increase the humidity levels, that will help. Also, shoes with leather soles allow you to "ground out" before a static charge builds up (or no shoes at all). You might tell her to try and ground herself before she touches anything using her elbow (it doen't hurt so much).

Jennifer

gromituk

Static charges are built up by friction between particular different types of material, and dissipated by humidity in the air, or objects with some conductivity. Objects with high conductivity dissipate the charge quickly, which is why there are sparks and she feels shocks touching metal objects.

- Try to prevent the friction creating the charge - does she tend to shuffle about?
- Try to change the materials being rubbed together - different types of shoes and floor surfaces
- Try to dissipate the charge - different types of shoes and floor surfaces, and humidity in the air.

All the advice I've seen so far is based on these, and is sensible.

By the way, you get a shock touching a car door not because the car is charged but because you are (eg from rubbing against the seat when you got out) - these things that trail on the road to "discharge the car" are just gimmicks.

gromituk

Artificial materials tend to be very good insulators, which is why nylon carpets and plastic soles are bad.

CrazyChemist_2

It has only happened since the work was carried out and she had carpets before that. The humidity is a valid point although the electicians already advised herto leave a bowl of water out and she hasn't had any problems recently.

gromituk

CrazyChemist wrote:

It has only happened since the work was carried out and she had carpets before that.

Yes, but that's simply because a combination of factors is needed. You can remove any of them to eliminate the problem.

jenniferpa

I was thinking about this. Now, this may be completely off the wall, but I wonder why they replaced the pipes? Could they have perhaps been seeping slightly (thereby increasing the humidity)? Also, and again I have no idea if this is possible, but perhaps with only plastic pipes, nothing was grounded. You only feel these shocks if they ground.

Jennifer

rygon

are you sure it is static. It could possibly be a fault with an electrical appliance. I seems to recall somewhere on this board that someone had shocks when they touched metal. The RCD didnt trip as it was the "wrong" type of fault.

CrazyChemist_2

rygon wrote:

are you sure it is static. It could possibly be a fault with an electrical appliance. I seems to recall somewhere on this board that someone had shocks when they touched metal. The RCD didnt trip as it was the "wrong" type of fault.

She's had her appliances checked in the kitchen and they say it is definitely static. Apart from ripping up the carpets and replacing with something else (laminate perhaps??) is there anything else that can be done in case this comes back? I'll suggest the humidifier to her. Thanks everyone I really appreciate this and so will she :cool: :T