Any One Get Shocks From Light Switches Or Portable

I have had and pace/defb since Oct of 2008 and just recently at times when I throw on a light switch or replace the portable phone on the charger I receive a small shock at the hand I use doing so.
This seems strange as I do not belive there have been any other post on this subject, thought it may been the ground at panel box but all ground wires are tight, just wondering if this has occured to others and if so the reasoning for it, if there is any.. thanks

4 Comments

Static

by j17jones - 2010-02-16 03:02:49

Possible Static Electricity???

its static

by dwelch - 2010-02-16 07:02:11


if you are in the usa or somewhere where it is winter, the humidity is lower and that means the static electricity doesnt have as much resistance to push through the air to go from your finger to the little screws or other metal grounded bits in light switches and electrical sockets and computer cases and sinks and pretty much everything that has exposed metal and grounded to earth ground.

When I lived in the desert southwest this happened year round, being in the northeast now it is only in the winter that it is dry enough. When I lived in the southwest I would ground myself on pretty much every light switch that went by otherwise I would build up a lot of charge and get a big pop whenever I touched something. A peck on the cheek from the wife would be extra exciting.

Yes I could have cut my hair off or not worn cotton shirts but didnt...

Shoes are a big problem rubber soles insulate you from dissipating that energy and allowing you to build up extra charge as you walk or move around. As well as help to generate that charge. What clothes you wear, what fabrics or materials on the chairs or other things you touch, hair rubbing on shirts/clothes. It all builds static, and the lower the humidity the worse it gets.

You can try things like a humidifier perhaps, although the whole house would need a humidity boost. Wearing different shoes or no shoes, or just ground yourself to every light switch or other metal item as you walk around.

Your phone charger should be okay but try to avoid zapping your computer mouse or when you plug things into the usb socket on your computer, try to touch the computer case first. External computer interfaces have some ESD protection but you can still blow through it and destroy stuff. Same goes for TV sets, dvd players, etc. If anything ground through the metal case and not through the plugs or buttons.

In case you were wondering, there is no risk at all to your pacemaker from these static zaps. Likewise your pacer really cannot be the source of these zaps.

Shocks

by SMITTY - 2010-02-16 07:02:27

Hi Jim,

There was a post on something similar several months ago. I don't recall specific details but that person was getting shocked at the kitchen sink (I think it was) and had essentially the same question as yours. Several of us suggested that they call an electrician and have done pretty much the same thing you have done. I don't recall any follow up posts that person.

Then a few months ago I ran into the exact same problem and it too was at the kitchen skink I learned that even aerated water could be a could conductor. The shocks were not bad but were enough to get my attention and raise my curiosity. I've had shocks like this many time in my life which were and it was easy to pin down the cause. Then it was static electric buildup from walking across synthetic fibre carpet on days (especially cold days) when the humidity was low. So I started trying to put tow and two together.

Our entire house is carpeted except for the kitchen area, but it never happened in the carpeted areas. To get to the sink I must walk about 20' across vinyl floor covering. I also noticed it only happened when the humidity was low, but and since we have electric heat and A/C the humidity in our house is usually less than 50%. But it did not happen all time and that part of the puzzle was missing until I realized it happened only when I was wearing a particular pair of shoes. Shoes that I don't wear every day. Those shoes are SAS shoes and have a composition sole. That solved my mystery. Now I can predict when I will get my wake up call. If I think of it in time I can touch the sink (it is stainless steel) or a faucet with a piece of metal (quarters work real good) and watch the little blue spark jump across to the quarter and I never feel anything.

Maybe some of my experience will ring a bell with you.

Smitty

Static electricity

by ElectricFrank - 2010-02-17 02:02:55

I won't go into a detailed explanation since it was covered well by others.

There is a static reduction spray available for use around sensitive electronic equipment. I use it on the carpet and office chair I use at my computer desk.

frank

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