Arcing

[21121956]

Hello everybody:

A friend ask me about a curious situation he is suffering these days. The story is as follows: Ever since one month or so, he has been experiencing a sort of electrical shock at the moment when he gets down of his car.

Sometimes (not always) when his hand is close enough to the metal of the door, he says that he can feel (see and hear) the electrical arc.

He has been driving for more than twenty years (three of them with the present car) and this is the first time he is bothered for that situation.

I have told him that it probably is a case of static electricity developed by him while driving by the action of rubbing the steering wheel.

I know that this type of problem can be solved by strengthen the earth connection between the chassis and the motor frame of the car. He made so but, the annoying arcing is still going on.

I would like to be adviced on this subject in order to give a hand to a worried friend.

Thanks in advance

 

[ivymike]

nah, wrong voltage (by a long way). Besides, the battery holds quite a bit more juice, and its potential is essentially applied between the same places (ignoring a switch).

 

[dicer]

Well years ago a person never noticed this shock effect.
I have noticed it for some time now. And I think more is involved than what others think. We now have more EM in our environment than ever before, it could be from increased cell phone towers, and also from such things as satellite microwave transmissions to earth, such as military, GPS, broadcast etc.
I never flet a shock from exiting a car in the 1960's and 70's. Now its all the time.

 

[IRstuff]

You also wore fewer synthetics, cars had more metal, rugs were non-synthetic, most people didn't even have rugs, the list is nearly endless.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[patprimmer]

If you have any doubts, try combing your dry hair in a dark room with a nylon comb and see how your head lights up.

Regards

eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[IRstuff]

Ah, but we used a lot of Brylcream back then. Worked great on keeping the ESD down.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[MacGyverS2000]

EM fields have zero to do with any shock you're getting... unless you're standing 5' from the transmitting antenna ;-)

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[21121956]

Hello everybody:

Thanks to all for your comments.

The last weekend I spoke with my friend and he told me that he is following the advise of Peter7307 and ivymike and, apparently, the problem has disappeared.

Even though, he has the idea to install a ground strap in the rear side of the car in order to avoid arcing when start to charge fuel at the gas station.

I wonder, how about the antenna of the radio, it can acts as a ground strap?

Once again, thanks.

 

[IRstuff]

Antenna, no, not unless you're dragging that thing on the ground.


TTFN

FAQ731-376