Static shock from tools?

P

Philadelph

Joined
May 23, 2008
Messages
115
So I moved into a new place recently and finished setting up the shop area. When using a small grinder on the workbench, if I touch the grinder every now and then after using it I get a shock. Can be a big one too. I haven't tried it out with my big grinder yet, but I'm assuming the same will happen. Anyone know why and what can be done to stop it? I never had this problem at my old place for some reason.
 
Is the flooring different in this shop as well?

My first guess would be the shocks were going through your feet into the ground at the old place.

Second guess would be that the ground at the old place was faulty.
 
That happens to me, when the blade gets a static charge, I'm wearing rubber shoes, so it can't ground, then I touch the metal grinder, and then the voltage leaves. I've seen people clip what appears to be an alligator clip to a knife, with a wire going to ground. I haven't tried this, but it might work.
 
In the office, on a particularly dry, staticy day, I will lightly back-hand metal or grounded things that I know will give me a shock, it lessens the 'shock' factor.
 
use the laundry spray Static Guard on the inside of the belt and a light dusting around the machine. it sounds crazy but it works.
this is assuming it is static electricity and not an electrical short of course.
 
since it did not happen in your old shop but is happening now in the new shop , I'm going to guess it is in the shop wiring . check the grounding circuit .
 
Check the humidity levels. If thy are below 30%, you're going to be shocked like crazy!
 
Static electricity is when you have picked up an extra electron that doesn't belong to you, soon as you touch a grounded source, you give it back (ouch)
I live in phoenix and everytime I am on the buffer this happens.
I have learned to touch the buffer case with my elbow prior to turning it off (hurts less)
Has nothing to do with your wiring.
I believe it gets worse with dry/hot climate.
 
I would guess it is more than likely that you are charging up static while working, did you buy new work boots? working on different floor material?

Other than that I'm with go Mike, humidty levels will cause them.

Using a grounding strap would work also, but they are a safety issue, one you are grounded and electricity will not be your friend if you meet the wrong end of it, second you are tied to something so it could restrict your movements.
 
RSMITH said:
Has nothing to do with your wiring.


too many unknown variables here to make such an absolute statement. I'm not trying to open a can of worms here , but if the only change made was the shop and it is not in a different climate zone etc.the grounding circuits would be the 1st place I would look .
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ron_m80 said:
Using a grounding strap would work also, but they are a safety issue, one you are grounded and electricity will not be your friend if you meet the wrong end of it, second you are tied to something so it could restrict your movements.
Click to expand...

In one of the threads Scott listed above, someone mentioned using a bead-chain for the grounding "strap", he connects it to his wrist with only a rubber band so it will pop right off if he moves away.
 
My sander is a 500 catpower when I work with micarta. That is the amount of static electricity generated by 500 cats being rubbed by balloons. Don't ask how I came to that exact number, it wasn't pretty.
 
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