When you touch an object and feel a small burst of electricity jolt through your body — you can blame static electricity. The sensation occurs when objects with uneven electrical charges connect and can occur in humans or inanimate objects.
Some people look at the reaction as nothing more than a nuisance. However, static electricity may be the result of an underlying electrical concern and can lead to all sorts of damages. Learn some critical information that can keep you safe.
Danger
Static electricity does increase your risk for a fire. If you look carefully, whenever two unevenly charged objects connect, a small spark appears. Static electricity in an environment surrounded by a highly flammable object could cause combustion that leads to a fire.
Static electricity can also increase your risk for electrocution, particularly if the concern happens frequently. When too much static electricity builds up in an object, it must find a way to release it. If you were to grab an object with a built-up charge, a surge of electrical shock could flow into your body.
Cause
This problem is not one that merely generates out of nowhere; there is always an underlying issue that is contributing to the problem. If you feel a shock whenever you touch certain objects in your home, it might be time to turn your focus toward your electrical system. Remember, every object will build up a certain level of electrical charge.
However, you prevent the charge from being transferred outward by giving the object an opportunity to release the energy, which comes in the form of grounding. In short, grounding of an electrical object creates a return path for electrical currents, which is basically a way for the charge to safely release. If the device is not grounded, this issue is likely the reason for the buildup.
Prevention
Even with proper grounding of your electrical devices, static electricity can sometimes occur. However, some measures may minimize your risk. Install a humidifier if the air inside your home is dry, as dryness increases static buildup. If your skin is dry, rubbing lotion on your hands can be equally helpful.
If you're shocked often, you should also take a look at your footwear. If you wear rubber soled shoes usually, they may be the problem. Rubber is an insulator, which prevents the charge in your body from releasing. So, when you touch an object with a lower charge than you, you could get shocked. If you're concerned with static electricity in your home, it may be time to contact an electrical service to get to the bottom of, and resolve, the matter.
When we purchased our first home, we realized that there was a problem with some of the electrical work. Some of the lights flickered when we turned them on, and others really seemed to have issues if they were left on long term. I thought the issues was the light bulbs themselves at first, so I replaced several of them. However, after making those changes, it seemed like things were still having trouble. I began going through and thinking carefully about how to identify and resolve the challenges, and it occurred to me that working with an electrician could be helpful. I turned to the professional for help, and it was a good thing I did. Read more about electricians on this blog.