Static shock driving me crazy....?

Question

I have been having these static shocks and its driving me crazy. My hubby doesn't hv them at all n he thinks I am jus over reacting. Every time I try to open my car door or for that matter any metal door i hv to pull my hand back. This is really agonising to me and I am now scared to go out. I read the safety tips but I still hv few doubts
1) When foot is firmly touching ground we won't get static---does it mean bare foot? I can't remove my shoes every time before I open a door...
2) carry a coin ...can anyone explain this..
guys please help me out....

Answer 1

Static is caused by a difference in electrical potential between two surfaces.

That being said, you generate static either by friction (sliding) or by clothing.

Very dry cloth (nylon, silks, rayons and some polys) are more prone to create static. Over drying them makes the matter worse. Some fabric sheets help reduce this problem. Leather soles on shoes and boots increase this problem when dragged across carpets.

In a house keeping the moisture level higher in the air reduces this problem. On the car using a static spray on the inside helps on the seats.

On the outside of the car however the clothes can not be discharged easily. Short of a change of clothing type or running nake I really do not know what you can do.

Answer 2

Most people don't understand much about static electricity.

The static is almost certainly being generated by the friction between layers of your clothes and the vehicle seat.
The charge is not being conducted away by the car seat. Touching the metalwork before you get out may help but you might still get a shock as you do that.

Your husband probably wears garments made of different materials, so any charge generated on his body will be very small and conducted away easily down to the car.

Look at the stuff which ALL your clothes are made of - including your underwear.
Nylon, polyester and most other man-made fibres are prone to generating static electric charges when they're subject to any kind of friction, even when mixed with cotton.
Remember that the car seat is also an artifical fibre mix.

Even your normal body movements such as breathing can create a charge between garment layers of many thousands of volts. You may not normally be aware of that because it's not capable of producing enough current (milliamps) to make even a small visible spark.

It may be worth looking at having your car seat, and the seat belt, treated with an anti-static fluid. This would make it more able to conduct the charge away so that it doesn't accumulate on your body. That way you'll prevent the 'jolt' when you touch the door handle.

As a last resort you could try taping a thin bare wire to the inside surface of your seat belt. Connect one end securely to the bodyshell for a good earth (e.g. wrapped around the seat belt securing bolt). This wire will conduct away the static charge that you're making as soon as it's generated. Don't release your belt untill after you've opened the door.
If you do it properly and always wear your belt (of course you do) then I guarantee that the problem will go away.

Answer 3

You feel the shock because the static charge jumps from a point on your finger to a grounded metal object. Almost always this involves the spark passing along one of the nerve fibres in your skin (they are better conductors). That's why you feel it up your arm. If you hold a metal object like a key or coin in your fingers the static can pass over a larger skin area to the metal and than jump harmlessly to ground. All you have to do is to make sure to touch the metal to ground before getting hold of the car. NOTE don't use a "plip" car key for this, the spark can damage the electronics.

Answer 4

Are you wearing polyester or nylon socks/stockings? This alone barefoot on carpeting will cause this. I don't see your husband walking around in pantyhose. That's why he doesn't get shocked, but you'd be shocked if he were, right? Also, if you drink more water, that may cut down your chance of getting shocked. Do you wear wool sweaters? Have you noticed 'popping' or 'cracking' sounds when you take one off? If so, do it in total darkness and watch the fireworks! This is most likely the culprit. One last idea: carry a static cling dryer sheet with you in your pocket at all times and see if that helps. I hear that is also good for repelling insects away in the summer.

Answer 5

i had the very same problem! here is what i did, i went to the local auto parts store and got a 2-1/2 foot piece of battery cable, attached it to the negative side of the battery and the other side to a 13mm bolt holding on the right front fender, with the proper connectors. this is a ground strap that helps absorbs the static electricity. it is basically a ground strap that goes strait to the body. i believe some car models dont use more than one, thus causing a static shock, and this is a cheap fix. it also wont harm your car in anyway. i have a 04 cavalier that HAD this problem!

Answer 6

Static electricity is caused by friction which leads to a build up of an electrical charge [negative I think] in the body. This is dicharged to earth, causing the shock you feel when you touch something, such as your car.

It could be that your car has the charge, in which case, next time you go to get into your car, let your husband open the door for you. If there is a build of of charge in your car, then your husband will feel the shock and not you.

Answer 7

There's no need for fancy wiring, spray etc for the car. All you need to do is take hold (& keep hold) of the metal part of the door before you set foot on the ground, shoes on or off. Simple as that.

What actually happens, if you're interested, is that you build up a static charge through friciton between your body, your clothes, and the car upholstery (nylon undies make it worse!). Taking hold of the metalwork before you set foot on the ground dissipates the charge harmlessly through the car body.

I have the same problem, if I do it in the wrong order I seemingly nearly weld my fingernails to the door!

Answer 8

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Answer 9

I've recently have been having the same problem. I have found out that before you remove yourself from your seat, touch a metal part on your car ( I usually hold the car door) and continue holding that metal until you completely stand up. Then you will not have static shock.

Answer 10

Is the static shock due to the clothes you are wearing ( wool ) or could it be the fabric of the upholstery, or could it be the seat is not grounded to release any created static? I have not had the problem . I have noticed my split seats have what look like groundwires from the springs of the seat to the chassis.