Help with static electricity

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donaldza

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In my office I'm not sure why but I seem to be constantly getting shocked by static electricity. This is pretty unusual for Cape Town. While I can deal with a bit of pain from time to time I'm really worried about my equipment.
:mad:
I have a CoolerMaster HAF case with a 1500W power supply - formally used for a mining rig but now just a desktop PC, so no excessive power usage. This case sits on wheels which appear to be non-conductive.

Anyway, it seems that my body or something is generating static electricity (I suspect the cheap carpeting in the office) and I get shocked on the door handles, but more worryingly is that I get shocked through my headphones occasionally when I move. This destroyed a USB DAC I had but now I'm worried about more serious potential consequences.

Does anyone have a clue why I could have this static problem and any steps I can take A) to prevent damage to my equipment and B) to fix it permanently?

I know nothing about physics or electricity but some other information that may or may not be of value is that the power supply cable for the computer isn't earthed (its a two prong plug that came with the PSU).

HELP PLEASE
 
Check earthing or if your mobo is touching the case at the back.
 
Biggest thing is, wear shoes with rubber soles to work as a insulation.
Some shoes generates a electric charge, this is then sent through your body, the human body is mostly water and this is a great conduit.
Just change your footwear, simple as that
 
I had this problem for years in our previous office. No one else in the office had the problem. Seems to have been caused by the combo of the type of carpet and my shoes. Got so bad I once tied a electrical cable from my wrist to the closest tap, that earthed me and worked for the day but obviously not practical. I also tried an anti static wrist band but it was a cheapie without a crocodile clip (had a capacitor or something) and that only helped a little bit.

So ... your options:

1. Move office
2. Change the carpet
3. Change shoes
4. Anti static wrist band:

41%2B%2By4ODDoL.jpg


When we moved to a new office with tiles the problem went away.
 
You get a anti static mat.

Buy a 3 pin plug, wire just 1 wire, the earth to a earth / body part of your equipment.
 
Will try these recommendations and feedback tomorrow, I'm getting close to my 'office space' moment :|
 
At one of my previous jobs the cleaning lady was told to spray the carpets with diluted fabric softener. This was meant to reduce the static and anecdotally it seemed to work.
 
Zap your boss , If it get too much he will replace carpets :)
 
I would start with earth wire connected to computer case. it needs a spare 3-prong plug and some old piece of wire. In some countries it is illegal to use 2-prong plug for the equipment with metal enclosure. I think in SA it is legal under condition that power supply has a double internal insulation from mains (which I doubt).

Now about PSU. Such hudge power supply generate lot of electromagnetic emissions. To comply with EMI regulations, designers allow a bigger leakage current which helps keeping EMI at required levels. This leakage current is giving you problem. I know you don't use all available power, but you use such PSU. :)

It is why proper earthing is essential, R20 investment. You should start from it. If not enough, then read other posts.

BTW, I disagree with Arthur wholeheartly. He can't say that human fluid contains impurity. It is a blasphemy.
 
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I have this problem as well.
When I get out of the car and close the door, I get shocked.
 
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