Can Static Electricity Start A Fire?

Static electricity is something that we will come across at many points in our lives, but it often fails to make much of an impression. This can lead us to believe, mistakenly, that somehow, static electricity is safer than the electric current that comes out of our plug sockets. In fact, static electricity is an extremely powerful force and it represents a major risk factor in life.

Static electricity can start a fire in some situations. It can create a spark that can easily ignite flammable vapors. Lightning is an extreme example of static electricity, and it starts fires all the time.

Now, this doesn’t mean that walking across scratchy carpet barefoot will lead to burning down your home, either. So, let’s take a look at static electricity in more detail and examine the risks closely.

What Is Static Electricity?

Static electricity occurs whenever there is an imbalance of electrical charge either on the surface of something or within it.

The charge, whether positive or negative, is trapped until given the means to move away from the material – this can be done via an electric current or by electrical discharge.

It is called “static” electricity because this property allows it to remain still until activated. The other form of electricity could be described as “current” electricity given that it flows from A to B through wires or conductors.

How Is A Static Electrical Charge Created?
A static charge is generated by the friction between two surfaces, where one surface has a very high resistance to electric current (thus, effectively it acts as an insulator, unable to accept any charge that is created by the friction).

Static electricity is a phenomenon that most of us are all too aware of having heard or felt the results of discharge when coming into contact with someone or something with such a charge.

We also witness the energy of discharge in things like the discharge of a lightning bolt, which is, of course, an incredible release of static electricity’s energy.

How Is Static Electricity Discharged?
Static electricity can be displaced by moving it from one place to another or it can be discharged.

When it discharges it can release heat, light, and sound and if you are in contact with the discharge, it can also be quite painful.

This is the “static shock” that most people will experience in their lives. It’s the instant neutralization of the charge and an energy release to go alongside it.

Can Static Electricity Start A Fire?
Yes, though the kind of static charge that builds upon people in their homes is unlikely to start a fire due to its own energy – it can start a fire.

How? Well, when that static discharges it can produce a spark and if there are volatile flammable vapors around when the spark is produced, they can ignite.

This is why many facilities that store large amounts of flammable equipment will issue anti-static clothing, footwear, and even bracelets to prevent static discharge from causing a large-scale explosion!

If you have detected a potential fire hazard, you may contact 770 Water Damage & Restoration to assess and conduct a Fire Damage Restoration Dodgertown.
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