SfC Home > Physical Science > Physics >
Explanation of Controlling Static Electricity by Ron Kurtus - Succeed in Understanding Physics. Also refer to shocks, sparks, damage, explosions, computer, electronics, gasoline, plastic, newsprint, grounding, physical science, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Controlling Static Electricity
by Ron Kurtus (revised 22 January 2009)
Although people occasionally receive unexpected shocks from static electricity, the major problem from static electricity is its potential in causing damage to equipment or explosions.
Some devices—such as computers or sensitive electronics—can be damaged from a static electric spark. When using gasoline, you must be protect against sparks that may ignite the fuel. Some machines are plagued with problems from static electricity.
In these cases, control or elimination of static electricity is usually done by grounding or draining off the electrical charges, as well as using caution.
Questions you may have include:
- How can electronics be protected from static electricity?
- What measures can be used to prevent explosions?
- How is static electricity controlled in machinery?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
(If you are concerned about getting shocks, see:
Reducing or Preventing Static Electricity Shocks.)
Useful tools: Metric-English Conversion | Scientific Calculator.
Protecting electronics
A static electricity spark can damage the internal electronics of a computer.
Technicians who work on the inside of computers should have a special pad on the floor and use a grounded strap on their wrist that will suck any charges from their bodies. This is to avoid any chance of damaging the electronics with a static electrical spark. When a person handles computer boards, it doesn't take much of a spark to damage the circuitry.
Anti-static wrist strap used to protect computer electronics
From PC Cables
Normally, when operating a computer, static electricity is not a problem. But if you have been having problems with static electricity causing spark when you touch things, it is wise to take precautions before touching even the computer keyboard. You should touch something metal to ground out any electrical charges you have, before you touch the computer.
Preventing explosions
Gasoline, other inflammable fluids and fine dust can explode when ignited by a static electric spark.
Gasoline explosions
People who are filling a gasoline container at the pump are advised to use caution to avoid static sparks. When you slide out of your car, touch something metal to get rid of any excess charges. It is also recommended to place the container on the ground when filling it.
Fires caused by static spark igniting gasoline
When many gallons of gasoline are transferred from a truck into the underground tank at a filling station, there is a lot of friction caused by the gasoline flow. Also, since the fuel is very flammable, a single spark caused by static electricity could cause an explosion.
Thus, the truck uses a grounding device on the hose that draws the electrical charges away from the gasoline, preventing any static sparks from occurring.
Dust explosions
Fine dust in a grain elevator can be ignited by a static electric spark, creating an explosion in the storage facility. Coal dust explosions have been seen in coal mines, as have explosions in wood-working facilities.
Safety precautions have been legislated for these industries to dilute or prevent the dust, as well as to eliminate static electricity sparks.
Equipment problems
Special devices are used in equipment that has a tendency to build up static charges.
Companies making plastic goods have major problems with the buildup of static electricity. Workers often complain about getting shocks. Grounding straps on the machinery helps to reduce the static electricity.
Newspaper companies have anti-static devices consisting of strips of copper to reduce or prevent static buildup from the fast-moving newsprint.
Summary
A major problem from static electricity is its potential in causing damage to equipment or explosions. Computers or sensitive electronics can be damaged from a static electric spark. When using gasoline, you must be protect against sparks that may ignite the fuel. Some machines are plagued with problems from static electricity. Control or elimination of static electricity is usually done by grounding or draining off the electrical charges, as well as using caution.
Use your knowledge to help others
Resources and references
The following resources provide information on this subject:
Websites
Avoid Static Damage to Your PC
Grain Dust Peril - Danger of grain elevator blast
Books
Top-rated
books on Static Electricity
Mini-quiz to check your understanding
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Physics. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.
What do you think?
Do you have any questions, comments, or opinions on this subject? If so, send an email with your feedback. We will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Share link
Click on a button to share the link for this page:
Or use our form to send this link to yourself or a friend.
Students and researchers
The Web address of this page is:
www.school-for-champions.com/science/static_control.htm.
Please include it as a link on your website or as a reference in your report, document, or thesis.
Where are you now?
Controlling Static Electricity