Have you ever noticed that in the winter your hair is just a little frizzier when you brush it, your clothes are a little clingier and that everytime you touch a doorknob you get a little zap? These are common wintertime nuisances caused by static electricity. But what causes static electricity and why does it cause so much more trouble during the winter?
Static electricity is a buildup of electric charge that is created when an imbalance of electrical charges exists within an object. When an object gives up electrons, it will take on a positive charge. If an object attracts electrons, it takes on a negative charge.
When a positively-charged object comes into contact with a negatively-charged object, the sudden exchange of energy creates that static shock we’ve all experienced. If the charge is intense enough, you may even see a visible spark.
A positively or negatively-charged object will hold its charge until it comes into contact with an object with the opposite charge. When electrons are unable to transfer freely, these charges build up, intensifying the effects of static electricity.
Conductors keep electrons moving, which reduces the likelihood that objects will build up charges.
Insulators prevent electrons from passing through, allowing objects to become charged enough to create static electricity.
A very common conductor is water. Water allows electrons to travel freely so it’s less likely for static charges to build up in an environment where water is present. This is why static electricity is less of an issue in the summertime — humid summer air holds more water than dry winter air.
These little buildups of static electricity like frizzy hair and getting a little zap when opening a door are usually very small and won’t do any harm. They DO become significantly more dangerous when static discharges accumulate near flammable vapors. Oil production and salt water disposal sites often report incidents of fire, equipment damage and control system failure due to lightning & static discharges.
The most common risks involving lightning and static include:
- Thief Hatch Fires
- Fiberglass Tank Fires
- Truck Load-Out Fires
- Tank Battery Fires
- Electrical & Electronic Equipment Failure
- Communication & Control Equipment Failure
Our team can help protect your facilities from lightning and static discharge ignitions. We incorporate recommendations from standards for lightning protection and static mitigation, including NFPA, IEEE, API, and IEC. Contact us for a coordinated protection plan.
