Static shock from flooring?

[brummydave]

Customer just called saying they're getting some sort of a static shock from their new kitchen laminate floor. Anyone heard of this before?

It only happens when wearing trainers (not just socks), and the shock happens when he touches an accessory after walking on the floor.

It's the same flooring he's had in the hall for years and that doesn't shock! Only difference is the underlay in the kitchen is a foam designed for concrete floors.

According to google this isn't uncommon and a coat of wax polish might be a solution. I wondered if anyone on here might have come across this scenario and perhaps an electrical solution.

(Before you ask, I have done loop, cpc and bonding testing and all ok.)

 

[binky]

just static discharging via earth of accessory. Seem to remember you can get anti-static polish.

 

[roys]

I got static shocks when I first put down my laminate floor, stopped after about a month, I presumed it was because dust built up in the gaps and naturally discharged any built up charge.

 

[Geoff1946]

Isn't the clothing and footwear of the "victim" also a factor? We have metal supports carrying glazing on composite, (plastic) decking. My wife regularly complains of static shock when touching them, which I rarely experience.

 

[offgridAndy]

Many years ago I worked as a flooring contractor. The local Tax office installed computers (1988 or so) and one girl in particular regularly managed to get static sparks flying and zapped the PC. I got called in to treat the carpets with anti static surface treatmment. On talking to the various operators about clothes worn and foot wear I was able to establish that the one girl who wore nylon(knickers) and plastic shoes was the problem. Had to be careful what questions to ask!!. So yes type of clothes won can definatley create static. Get a nice pair of handmade leather Loakes shoes and problem solved.

 

[brummydave]

thanks for all the replies. i'll tell the customer about polish, shoes and dust! And no wiring changes needed

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

As others have said...
99.9999% sure that the static shock is due to external generating sources discharging via a "correctly earthed electrical accessory"..

i.e. the static is NOT coming from the electrical installation, it is being discharged via the installation!

And if the electrical earth has a very robust mechanical and electrical integrity...
Then static discharge shocks will be of a greater intensity.

Time to check, footwear, underwear, and /or other clothing materials around moving limbs susceptible to static generation!

Remove such items and retest is one option for consideration if the customer is that way inclined to assist your investigations!

 

[Alarmist]

just static discharging via earth of accessory. Seem to remember you can get anti-static polish.

Anti static polish is usually used to prevent surfaces from attracting dust.

 

[binky]

Anti static polish is usually used to prevent surfaces from attracting dust.

And what attracts the dust?

 

[Mike P]

Static!! Chicken and egg, spring to mind