godxzilla

the other day, I was moving my PC in my office. Picked it up and got a shock that make the PC turn off. Was closing the car door this morning, and I got a shock that nearly knocked me down. Other day, reached for the gas pump at the local citgo, and SAW my spark from my finger to the pump. Every time I leave the office I get a shock on the door. Folks at work wont hand me things anymore, they have to put them on the table because they are sick of getting shocked. its pretty bad.

I drink plenty of fluids, and run a humidifier when I sleep. I also use lotion sometimes to try and keep from being too dry...but NOTHING works! what do I do?

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Mike

Ripsaw

What are you wearing?

Certain fabrics build up static charges very quickly.

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"We are supposed to be masters of space, but we cant even line up our shoes?"

One life, one chance, one opportunity.

jorgelito

Pick up your feet when you walk, don't shuffle. Especially on carpet.

When handling computer stuff, makre sure you are "grounded" first, and disharge any build up you have before handling (touch something metal first).

godxzilla

well I know how to deal with it, now - since ive been very "charged" lately. but I need to know how to get rid of it all together! i definately dont scuff....

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Mike

portereight

I always get shocks when I wear a certain pair of Rockport shoes. A few weeks ago I had to go through airport security, and set off the metal detector after removing everything I had containing metal. The woman screening me noticed my shoes and said "are they Rockports? bet you get a lot of shocks" She asked me to remove them, and put them through the xray. She pointed out the big metal shanks they contain, and then added that her husband had similar and thought that they act as capacitors. I could see this being true I there were two pieces of metal separated by part of the sole, but I only saw one.
I did receive another shock before getting on the plane though.
It's getting so I'm scared of door knobs when I wear 'em. Comfy though.

godxzilla

hmmm now thats a good observation! It does happen more at work than anywhere so i could check my shoes out. I always wear the same brown shoes because they too are very comfortable. boss is out of town today, so im wearing sneakers - ill have to test this theory

thanks!

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Mike

gh0ti

Once it starts getting cool outside I get shocked every time I get out of my car. EVERYTIME, its gotten to the point where I just instinctively throw my arm back and nudge the door with my tricep just to discharge. It doesn’t bother me anymore really.

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In the strangest of places if you look at it right

godxzilla

yeah, well I was in the habit too - yesterday I was using my shoulder to close the door and it nicked my face, and I got a shock! its borderline rediculous!

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Mike

saucy knave

Yikes, I'd start touching metal on the car before reaching for that pump. Sparks and gasoline are a scary combo.

cyrnel

Read us the fabric content labels off your clothes? Might be interesting.

I used to ski a lot and getting shocked was part of the experience. Vail was the worst. Lots of wool clothing and zippo humidity are probably why but it seemed ridiculous. Got me into the habit of carrying a key or coin in one hand to touch any metal before opening doors, elevator buttons, shaking hands, etc.

If you're noticing sparks best to not get in the car after starting the gas pump. I'd rather be cold than on fire.

Ella

Depends on what I wear on my feet.

Kinda recalls that great scene from 'Office Space' where he removes the door handle that gives him a shock every morning.

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"Afterwards, the universe will explode for your pleasure."

cybersharp

My instant cure would be to wear gloves of some sort, probably leather.... But then I think its fun to get shocked.

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0PtIcAl

TheShadow

Wow... that is Exactly what I was thinking of when I read this thread. Great minds think alike - that, or fools hardly differ.

Anyways, I too recommend checking out the composition of your clothes.

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You know that song that goes like...

animal909

you might be an X-men, iunno.

anyways, this is interesting... but i also say check the shoes.

godxzilla

well the sneaker theory was a decent one - it helps a little. Ill have to attribute some of my shocking personality to my shoes. particularly the brown ones I wear to work most days. but I travelled (hate spelling that word, 1 L or 2?) this past weekend and didnt wear the brown shoes once it was commented to me that I am very staticy on more than one occasion by people I see once or twice a year. Handshake - shock every time. In and out of car...every time. changing clothes, of course.

Ill just have to accept the fact that its just me. I suppose it could be worse!!

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Mike

thingstodo

Perhaps you have electric heat at work, which causes you to build up more static electricity. Also, there may be no humidifier at work. The drier the air the more this will happen. Guess you know to stay out of your car while you fill up in the winter!!

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cataklysm

Some people have very dry skin that may cause the buildup of static charges, especially in the winter. One thing to try is to use moisturizers or lotions on your skin. The only problem with that, of course, is that you might have to put it all over your body.

You can experiment with different types of moisturizers and in different locations. Perhaps just putting lotion on you hands may be sufficient, since shocks and sparks usually come from touching objects with your hands.

There are solutions can you spray on your clothes to prevent them from holding the electrical charge on their surface. There are also sheets of the material you can put in your dryer that will put a thin coating on your clothes, preventing the collection of electrons or charged atoms on the surface.

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--Cataklysm--

StephenSa

I feel your pain my man. Generally I love winter because I prefer cold weather but JESUS the static charges I build up are an ass-pain! It doesn't seem to matter what shoes I wear, if its winter I'm a human capacitor. Sometimes the shock is so great my arm will go numb. I had to leave the grocery store once without my groceries because every time I reached for an item and touched a metal shelf I'd get a huge shock. Whenever I can I try touching metal every couple of feet to disharge before it builds up too much. The little shocks aren't too bad but if I let it go a bit the shock is freaking wicked. When they run the central heat at work I think I could pull an Uncle Fester and power a light bulb by putting it in my mouth. I don't know the solution but you are not alone.

itineraryDUCK

I was going to start a new thread with my own static electricity woes, but I think you people probably answered my questions. I get shocked when getting up from my desk chair. It's not a puny little spark either, it's a freakin' painful jolt. It has gotten to the point where I reach over and touch my plugged-in bass before I get up, but I'm wondering what it is about the chair that seems to draw so much charge.

TheBrit

Going back to the shoes thing...
Find some way to rig a layer of tin foil on the heels of your shoes. Just for one day. See if it helps at all.

nickynicole

I'm from Arizona, where the lack of any moisture in the air makes static a part of everyones daily life. I wasn't aware there was anything you could do to get rid of it, aside from wearing gloves made of dryer sheets.

amonkie

Glad I found this thread - I was about to start a new one because my truck has taken intense pleasure in shocking my every single time I get out lately - saw a spark a week or so ago. Can't think of anything I'm doing different, must just be the dry Arizona air warming up.

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hossified

for those with car spark troubles....you can buy straps that hang down from the back bumper and drag along the ground......which dissipates any static charge....

questone

If you're noticing sparks best to not get in the car after starting the gas pump.