This is absolutely driving me nuts. At my office, I work on a compuiter in a cubicle, right near a door. I go through this door about 20-30 times a day, and every single time I get a static shock. A big one! I can hear it go POP! How can I discharge this static before I have to touch this door handle? I have tried touching other metal objects in my cube, but nothing seems to work. I wear the same sneakers every day, and maybe this is the cause? I thought leather shoes or wool socks would cause this, not rubber soled shoes. I have degaussed my computer - nothing. Any suggestions?
This doesn’t sound right to me. Are you sure that the other metal objects you are touching are grounded? Try touching a metal window frame, or the screw in the center of a wall plug. If it doesn’t discharge anywhere but the door, it’s probably the door. Does anyone else get the shock at the door? Ask around, and if they do then get maintanence involved.
Have them use a voltmeter and check the potential between the ground and the door. It could be when they installed the door they put a screw through some conduit. It could be something even weirder.
If it is just static electricity, buy a can of static-guard and spray the carpet. It should work for a while.
Try touching the door knob with a key you are holding tightly. You’ll still get shocked, but not as bad, since the current will be spread out across everywhere you are touching the key, not just at the point of the spark.
Is there any way the door is building up an electrical charge, not you? Maybe run a wire from the oor frame (is it metal?) to something you know is grounded.
This sounds like shocking news. Adoorable shocking news.
You could carry a small reisistor around and touch the knob with that. The same amountof charge is exchanged but the resister reduces the current making it less apparent.
An easier method is to mix some dilute downy fabric softener and spray it on your carpet.
You could also find another job.
Seriously now, all you have to do is hold a metal object like a key and let the spark jump from there and you will not be shocked.
I used to get zapped by my car when I got out and now without thinking I do this: get out, close door by pushing on the glass window, hold key and lock car. As I am going to lock the car I often hear the snap but it does not shock me.
Padeye’s resistor idea is the best solution I have ever heard for this problem.
But when you touch the doorknob and feel the “shock”, what you are actually feeling is a tiny burn caused by the spark hitting your skin. That is why the key/coin thing works. The spark does not hit your skin and you don’t experience a tiny burn.
This was actually one of the annoying office things in ‘Office Space’ His solution was to remove the door handle, so it isn’t very helpful, but at least know you are not the first one to have this problem.
Tap the door with the back of your knuckles before grabbing the doorknob. You’ll still get the shock, but barely feel it.
That’s what I do when is starts getting cold (shock season!)
I have the same problem when I take the plastic mail trays out of my mail truck. I place them in a wheeled hamper and get shocked by the metal frame almost every day. Especially in hot weather. (Air too dry?) The back of the truck is a slip proof surface and the trays are corrogated plastic. I hate the shock so much, I have to force myself to touch the cart and get it over with. Any ideas on this one?