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Explanation of Controlling Static Electricity - Succeed in Physical Science. Also refer to rubbing, materials, human skin, fabrics, static cling, shocks, sparks, insulation, grounding, humidity, conductor, nonconductor, atoms, electrons, lightning, thimble, grounding, electronics,physics, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions

Controlling Static Electricity

by Ron Kurtus (revised 2 May 2002)

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 usiing 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 electricty 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: Preventing Static Electricity Shocks.)

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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. Touch something metal to ground out any electrical charges you have, before you touch the computer.

Preventing explosions

Gasoline or other inflammable fluids can explode when ignited by a static electric spark.

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.

Equipment

Newspaper companies have anti-static devices to reduce or prevent static buildup from the fast-moving newsprint.

Companies making plastic good have major problems with the buidlup of static electricity.

Summary

Answers to Readers' Questions

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Resources

The following resources provide information on this subject:

Websites

Humans and Sparks - Preventing painful static sparks

Physical Science Resources

Books

Top-rated books on Static Electricity

Miscellaneous

Mini-quiz to check your understanding

1. How does the special spray prevent static cling?

2. How can you minimize getting static electricity shocks?

3. What is a reason a lightning rod works?

If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Physical Science. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.

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Controlling Static Electricity