Anti Static Industrial Specialist

How Static Electricity Works

Electricity, Atoms, and Electrons

All atoms want in life is to have an even number of protons and electrons. Unfortunately, atoms are always stuck with the same number of protons while electrons are unfairly scattered across the universe. Atoms are friendly, so when one with too many electrons meets one who needs electrons, the one will give up his extra so they both can have their balance. The passing of electrons between atoms is called electricity!

Some atoms are more humanitarian than others and a chain of them will pass electrons from an atom with too many to another with too few who are far away. These helpful atoms are usually metal and water atoms. Other atoms don't care about helping others and don't pass on electrons for them. These atoms are often plastics and cloths.

Unfair Electron Buildup

Sometimes lots of atoms can build up too many or too few electrons. Dry air, without all the water atoms in it, can cause the atmosphere to be unbalanced. Friction, or scuffing your feet on the carpet, can scrap away electrons can cause an unfair buildup.

With a high unfair building, atoms will start to pull towards each other because they want even out their electrons. This is static cling.

Electro-Static Discharge

When an unfair balance finally makes contact with the helpful electron-passing atoms such as metal, there is a sudden huge transfer of electrons. This is the zap or static-shock you experience. The more electrons being moved, the more energy is transfered and the more painful it is.

Super Discharge

Sometimes, unfair electron balances can occur on a large scale light between the Earth and the sky. This happens under the right atomspheric conditions such as dry air. Then finally, when the air becomes full of moisture like rain with the electron-passing atoms, there can be huge discharge you know as lightning! Yes, lightning storms are static electrical discharges. However, you do not want to be caught as apart of the electron passing chain because that much energy is lethal.

Unwanted Shock / Discharge and Cling

Now that you know about static electricity, you can work on getting rid of that troublesome cling or spontaneous shock / discharge. There are many common solutions for the household. Westmont Inc. offers manufacturers low-cost quality stock and custom products to safely remove it from electronic or industrial environments.