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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Carpentry Questions >> Static Electricity Shocks from Laminate Floor https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1201119629 Message started by XDR5 on Jan 23^rd, 2008, 8:20pm

Title: Static Electricity Shocks from Laminate Floor
Post by XDR5 on Jan 23^rd, 2008, 8:20pm

I posted a question on this forum a few months back about laying a B&Q wooden laminate floor. Thanks again to all who responded - the job went very well and the end result was very impressive. His wife thought it looked great - the ultimate test!!

The plastic membrane my mate supplied was in fact specifically designed for wooden floors so all was OK in that department.

Just after laying the floor and whilst doing some other work we kept getting static electricity shocks whenever we touched the metal (earthed) light switches. This was most disconcerting :-*

Now that the skirting boards have been fitted and all the furniture is in this does not seem to be a problem any more.

Is this a problem that anyone else has come across??

My schoolboy physics tells me that wood is not a conductor - but are the skirting boards (at some points in contact with the floor) somehow earthing the floating wooden foor ??

Any ideas chaps ??
:-?

Title: Re: Static Electricity Shocks from Laminate Floor
Post by woodsmith on Jan 23^rd, 2008, 9:39pm

Odd :-/ I would think it was something else causing the static and it is just coincidence that it changed with the fitting of the skirting.

Title: Re: Static Electricity Shocks from Laminate Floor
Post by Bayden_Rank on Jan 24^th, 2008, 8:27pm

The static is building up on your body and clothing - you then discharge to any earthed component. Try it in the dark by holding a screwdriver and watch the spark jump to earth.

To check this out try walking around naked all static should go. I tried to do this at the local Library but got kicked out - they would not listen to my saying it was a technical experiment :D

The reason for now but not before is probably down to the fact that you are now better insulated from earth as you wander around.

Title: Re: Static Electricity Shocks from Laminate Floor
Post by CWatters on Jan 28^th, 2008, 8:02pm

Requires two things to do this:

1) Source of static, typically two dissimilar plastics rubbing together (shoes/socks on plastic coated laminate?)

2) No path for the charge to leak to ground (the plastic under the laminate is probably a good insulator)

The shock occurs when you discharge yourself to ground (eg the earthed face plates).

So why doesn't it do it now? Several ideas..

As you say, when you fitted the skirting that might have provided a sufficient leakage path to ground by bridging the plastic sheet under the laminate. (eg bridging from the top surface of the laminate to the floor/earth).

or perhaps you are wearing shoes now instead of socks?

or perhaps his wife has mopped the floor?

or perhaps the laminate has absorbed a little water from the air now? The dusty factory might be very dry? Do they use heat to bond it etc.

Title: Re: Static Electricity Shocks from Laminate Floor
Post by Bayden_Rank on Jan 30^th, 2008, 7:45pm

Or he has stopped wearing nylon underpants ;D