Rank: Super forum user 
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Hi Folks,
I am hoping someone will be able to help me with this. We have floor buffers in use, one in particular has given a small shock on two occassions. Both times this machine has been tested and has come back with no issues. Sockets are RCD protected and not tripping. Could static electricity cause enough of a shock to cause a small burn? Any ideas anyone? anyone come accross this before?
Kevin
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Hi
Yes it is quite possible that this could be caused by a build up of static electricty dependant on the level of capacitance of the machine in question.
I think there are types of footwear/shoe coverings that can prevent the discharge and also a substance that can be used infrequently on the floor that prevents static build up.
Regards
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Rank: Forum user
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I have used Lenor on carpets to reduce static before - it works a treat and smells nice too.
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Rank: Super forum user
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The static is being produced by the friction between the brushes and the floor, a common enough problem.
You can trail a small conducting wire or similar from the rear of the machine which will discharge the static as it is generated. As long as it has about 1 inch contacting the floor.
J
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Rank: Super forum user 
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kevkel wrote: Could static electricity cause enough of a shock to cause a small burn? Kevin A "burn" caused by static? Surely not. Are you confident regarding the competency of your tester? A loose or bad earth sounds likely
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Rank: Super forum user
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Ron Hunter wrote:kevkel wrote: Could static electricity cause enough of a shock to cause a small burn? Kevin A "burn" caused by static? Surely not. Are you confident regarding the competency of your tester? A loose or bad earth sounds likely A burn by static is quite possible depending on the size of the charge. Regards
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Rank: Super forum user 
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kevkel wrote:Could static electricity cause enough of a shock to cause a small burn? Any ideas anyone? anyone come accross this before?
Kevin Very easily, as anyone who has touched a helicopter whilst it's still hovering will tell you!
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Rank: Super forum user
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Safety Smurf wrote:kevkel wrote:Could static electricity cause enough of a shock to cause a small burn? Any ideas anyone? anyone come accross this before?
Kevin Very easily, as anyone who has touched a helicopter whilst it's still hovering will tell you! Or anyone who has been hit by lightnng.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Thanks for all the replies.
The machine is double insulated so to earth the machine in any way would actually cause greater issues. I am confident of both testers. Machine was tested by manafacturer and socket by competent electrician. RCD tripping out in 0.0285. Shoes provided to workers are anti-static.
I think I may have found the issue. The uniform is 67% polyester and may be allowing the buildup of static and compounded with movement of the machine. then when the emeployee unplugs the plug from the metal plate socket the static is arcing and causing the burn. I have advised they wash their uniforms with fabric softner in the interim and longer term replace uniforms with 100% cotton- hospital environment.
Anyone or an electrician like to agree/dis-agree?
Kevin
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Rank: Super forum user 
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In this scenario the RCD trip time is irrelevant really.
What was the Ze at the socket outlet in question, is it always the same socket outlet?
IF the machine is double insulated then there should be no path to earth through the machine. Also then connecting the operator accessible metallic parts of the machine to a wire trailing on the carpet (however, you would not be buffing carpet) will have no affect on the electrical safety of the machine, and, this wire will have no connection to true earth through the machine, unless you modify the machine to connect a trailing "earthing" wire in the connection terminal box, IF the supply cord is 3 core.
As far as the possibility of a burn from static, it is possible.
If you are using metallic socket outlets then these will be earthed, and will provide a path for discharge, as long as they are correctly installed.
Now, IF it is only one or two sockets the static discharge from the operators is giving an issue, then perhaps you should be looking at the other sockets in the premises to ensure that these have an adequate earth.
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