Static Electricity levels in the gulf area

a_guy
By a_guy

Did you noticed the levels of static electricity in the gulf area are higher than in another places?

static hair

My self expirience to "kill" the computer mouse when touching it... it is real, i have to unplug it from the USB port to make it work again...

Have you?

 

 

By jango warrior• 20 Mar 2008 22:17
jango warrior

Maxmo, I'm really afraid you have been took in by this rubbish.

It's an urban legend, just as is using a mobile phone at the petrol pump, the main problems I agree are people not shutting off their engine and the normal Qatari light up a cigarette anywhere you shouldn't.

 

There is not sufficient charge in the circumsatnces you are talking about to do such things, unless you were totally doused in petrol and you were in a total Nylon bodysuit and had rubbed yourself on your seats as much as a dog in heat. maybe that charge could do it.

 

The reason for so many static shocks off appliances in this country is down to the poor workmanship of the grounding system in most houses.

 

 

By jane5• 20 Mar 2008 19:43
jane5

spark under the blanket, iam soooooooo relived, i thought iam the only one who gets it, i thought it is X-file kinda thing with me, i dont shop at carrfor so dunno abt it. i shop at lulu nd they assured me that they get the best trolly in the world , from caddy ,france, that is protected with special paint, but this petrol staion thing is scary

By anonymous• 20 Mar 2008 15:28
anonymous

 

 

Seemingly this theory is not accurate according to one of our Qatari QL members there was a discussion on this subject not long ago.

By anonymous• 20 Mar 2008 15:26
anonymous

 

 

Exactly they are the worst trolleys ever - I di ask one of hte managers why this is - seemingly it is something they put in the flors that makes this reaction.

By a_guy• 20 Mar 2008 15:21
a_guy

wow, interesting.... seems like petrol stations are terrorists....

By anonymous• 20 Mar 2008 12:49
anonymous

Have you noticed the signs on gas pumps about the dangers of static electricity while refueling your car?  These warnings are not a gimmick.  Static electricity can spark a fire or explosion so consumers need to be careful and heed the warnings

In most cases, when people pull into a gas station to refuel a vehicle, they open the car door, slide out of the seat, open the fuel pipe cover of the vehicle, touch the nozzle on the gas pump, and perhaps touch the pump to use a credit card--all before they insert the nozzle into the fill pipe.  Any static charge that was picked up in the car is dissipated several times. 

A new static charge can be picked up if you get back into the car after the refueling has started.  The synthetic material of the car seats and clothing add to the possibility of picking up a static charge.  If you don’t touch metal before returning to the nozzle and fuel pipe, that static charge can be transferred when you touch the nozzle, thus creating the potential for a flash fire.

According to the Petroleum Equipment Institute there are three causes of static electricity fires at gas pumps:

      50 percent are caused when a person returns to a vehicle during refueling and doesn’t shut the door or touch other metal when leaving the car to remove gas pump nozzle from the car’s fuel pipe.

      29 percent are caused when a person unscrews the gas cap.

      21 percent occur for other reasons.

There are several theories about why static fires at gas pumps are increasing.  One is the almost universal switch to self-serve pumps, which requires millions of people who are unfamiliar with the volatility of gasoline to handle it once or twice a week. 

Also, today’s vehicles have more electronics--CD players, geopositioning systems, satellite radios, cruise control, on-board diagnostics and electronically controlled fuel injection.  Those elements combined with nylon seat covers could create more static.

Other theories include the use of cold weather-formulated fuels that are more volatile, tires made with less carbon and more silica, having fill pipe cover releases inside the vehicles and automobile parts made of dissimilar materials  such as plastic and metal.  

LaPrade said if people will follow the following safety guidelines when refueling, they will reduce the chance for sparking a fire.

     Always turn off your vehicle engine while refueling.

     Stay near the vehicle fueling point during the process.

     Never smoke, light matches or use lighters while refueling.

      Don’t get back into the vehicle while refueling--even when using the nozzle’s automatic hold-open latch.  If you must re-enter the vehicle, discharge static electricity build up when you get out by touching the outside metal portion of the vehicle, away from the filling point, before attempting to remove the nozzle.

      Don’t overfill or top off your tank. The fuel dispenser will shut off automatically when the tank is full.

SOURCE:  Dr. Jesse LarPrade, Extension Environmental Specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System

By gypsy gal• 20 Mar 2008 12:23
gypsy gal

I thought its only me...lol getting sparks under the blanket..

By theshoppers_haven• 20 Mar 2008 12:00
theshoppers_haven

while holding the trolley in carrefour..

when i rub my skin under my balnket sparks are everywhere..

By syamsat• 20 Mar 2008 11:38
syamsat

Now I understood..In Indian mythology books, there is a character, who turn people into ash by touching... (he must be from Gulf)

 

By lucky_charm• 20 Mar 2008 11:33
lucky_charm

some said mac computers can increase static electricity.Lucky Charm

By jane5• 20 Mar 2008 11:25
jane5

i have noticed that the intesity increases with the time spen on lap top. and also some shoes enhance the effect

By gypsy gal• 20 Mar 2008 11:23
gypsy gal

I often get shock from the car doors...

By lucky_charm• 20 Mar 2008 11:22
lucky_charm

i experienced it also. when turning cpu on and off, light switch, even at the door of my car... strange huh!Lucky Charm

By a_guy• 20 Mar 2008 11:17
a_guy

can you imagine if we could kill real mice with a touch?

hehehe, pest could be eliminated from the globe.... lol

By ohbee wan• 20 Mar 2008 11:16
ohbee wan

i noticed this specially during winter

 

- live your life as simple as you are

- money doesn't create man, but it is the man who created money

- don't do what others say, just listen to them, but do what you feel good

By jane5• 20 Mar 2008 11:14
jane5

i lietrarily set my blanket in flames, nd sparks fly when i touch cardoor handle

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