Static shocks

[securit]

Hi guys, not sure if this is the right forum or not, but it's to do with electrics sort of, anyway here goes,

I've bought a new garden slide for my grandchildren, it's a plastic slide with metal frame, the problem is that they are getting static shocks from it after sliding down, is there anyway of preventing this, such as earthing it or something, thanks.

 

[wingcoax]

Make sure they don't wear nylon.

 

[bernardgreen]

There are anti static coatings that could be used to create a conductive layer on the slide to disipate the static build up. Whether these will adhere to the plastic of the slide and for how long can only be known by trial and error.

One source is http://www.vermason.co.uk/Search/spray

Adding a fabric softener to the final rinse reduces the amount of static build up on clothes by leaving a residue of conductivity to the fibres. But it can cause skin reaction in a few people with sensitive skin.

 

[THRIPSTER]

Ironic that it's called 'Static' - perhaps it should be called ' Dynamic'? Run a trickle of water from a hose placed at the top of the slide.

Regards

 

[securit]

Thanks guys, but nylon is out, fabric conditioners are used, I did hear somewhere that a wire was wrapped round one of the metal screws of slide and run to the ground n pegged into the garden ?????

 

[wingcoax]

Nothing lost in trying that, it works on cars.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Nothing lost in trying that, it works on cars.

Does it?

Isn't it the children who 'require' earthing?

 

[securit]

Nothing lost in trying that, it works on cars.

Does it?

Isn't it the children who 'require' earthing?

Good idea, if I could catch em

 

[wingcoax]

Isn't it the children who 'require' earthing?

Who said anything about digging a hole for them?

 

[Taylortwocities]

Who said anything about digging a hole for them?

They are little treasures, so why not??

 

[Porque223]

A grounded metal tubular rail that they lightly brush with a hand the whole way down.
They might not need to bleed off the charge the whole way but maybe only halfway. Which half depends on when they want the shock if there is any remaining.

Another way is to have a metal landing area that is grounded through a resistor so the charge takes one second or so to bleed off and so the max current discharged is less than the 1/2 mA or so that women and children can feel.

A most unusual problem.

 

[bernardgreen]

It might help to have rubber safety surface tiles at the landing area to provide a slow, non tingle ( non noticable shock ) discharge of the charge built up on the child.

One source is http://www.wicksteed.co.uk/playscape-surfacing-service-p341.html

For other reasons I had to look this up today

http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1952/jun/23/buses-london-static-electricity

 

[Porque223]

Using a body capacitance of 100 pF and a charge voltage of 4kV to 35kV some people might have to stay on the conductive mat longer than others.
This
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Static_electricity
is pretty informative, especially halfway down.

IIRC the wristbands that people wear who work on MOS integrated circuits have 1 megohm resistors but they have plenty of time to bleed off the charge.

 

[JohnW2]

Using a body capacitance of 100 pF and a charge voltage of 4kV to 35kV some people might have to stay on the conductive mat longer than others.

Very true - and the generic 100pF assumption may well be high for the small children likely to be using the slide.

Kind Regards, John

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Make sure they don't wear nylon.

Try chainmail with a wander lead attached to an earth rod.