Is static electricity a danger when reloading?

R

Red Ryder

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Sep 2, 2004
301
0
Pittsburgh, PA
#1
I've always been concerned with static electricity when I reload. Is this a valid concern? Is there any chance that a static discharge would set off the powder? Typically, I wear synthetics and they build up static charges like nobody's business. I suspect though that even non-synthetics will build up a charge.

Your experienced comments are most welcome.
 
#2
Re: Is static electricity a danger when reloading?

I have static buildup cause a lot of problems while throwing charges in the form of "bridging". Where the powder doesn't fall free from the powder measure. While I have never had powder ignite, that doesn't mean it couldn't happen. $3 at Radio Shack for a piece of 16 to 18 ga wire and 2 alligator clips will take care of it. I have a 20 foot piece of 18 ga wire with clamps on each end. One end clips to the powder measure. The other clips to the cold water faucet where the washer connects.

Problem solved.

I also take it to the range in cold weather for the same reason. Home Depot has 6 to 8inch nails. I push one into the ground and clip the other end of the wire to that when I'm loading at the range.

Good luck.
 
#3
Re: Is static electricity a danger when reloading?

A good and simple solution Vic. I could try that or I guess I could also get one of those floormats that are placed outside the doorway of computer equipment rooms. I stand on those foamlike interlocking floor pads so I wonder if that increases or decreases the risk of static?
 
#4
Re: Is static electricity a danger when reloading?

I am told static electricity could ignite black powder. Which is probably why most measured say they are for smokless only.

Victor, that is a great idea, thanks. Wish I had thought of that.

James
 
#6
Re: Is static electricity a danger when reloading?

Wipe down your powder funnels, and the inside of your powder measure with USED DRYER SHEETS. This is the best thing I have found for the elimination of Static elec.

I store my powder measures with a sheet in the barrel! Never had any bridging due to static.

Terry
 
#7
Re: Is static electricity a danger when reloading?

I do use the rubber mats for standing on concrete. I have problems with my knees & hips besides my back. I don't have one of the computer room mats though.

I tried the drier sheet thing several times. But I couldn't get it to work right. So that's when I did the wire thing. I was watching TV on the Discovery Channel with our grandkids and they were building electronic boards and talking about how sensitive the components were to static electricity. The people working on the assembly lines had metalic looking gloves with a wire coming from it. They said the wires were all attached to a grounding grid. The cold water pipe was the closest thing I had to a grounding grid. But it solved the problem.
 
#8
Re: Is static electricity a danger when reloading?

I'm on concrete and have never had a static discharge in the entire shop. Theoretical hazard, but I've never known anyone to get "bit" by it, although a few have fried CMOS or other electronic chips in their shops.

Biggest static danger for me this time of year is kissing my wife. Laminate flooring and the fabric in two of the cars are both KILLERS. So, I routinely ground out on her arm before getting near her lips...
 
#9
Re: Is static electricity a danger when reloading?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jasmck</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am told static electricity could ignite black powder.
James </div></div>

That myth has been <span style="font-style: italic">positively and thoroughly</span> disproved. Static electricity <span style="font-weight: bold">WILL NOT</span> ignite black powder.

See: http://www.ctmuzzleloaders.com/ctml_experiments/sparks/sparks.html
 
#10
Re: Is static electricity a danger when reloading?

Most electrical outlets have the coverplate fastened by a single central screw. Unless there's a defect in the house wiring, this screw can be used as a grounding contact. Grounding a powder measure can have benefits by eliminating static electricity as source of powder flow restriction.

Greg
 
#15
Re: Is static electricity a danger when reloading?

tarzan

a bunch of guys i used to know in college used to do that very thing. WOWIE! it wasn't until years later that i thought about what a tremendous risk they were taking.
 
#16
Re: Is static electricity a danger when reloading?

That central screw Greg mentions may NOT be metal. I have several plates that have nylon screw in the center. And, depending who wired your house, the green ground wire may not be connected. Or wired into the neutral side insead of the ground. I have seen it, and have seen the fire that happened because of it. Use a COLD water pipe. The hot may be islolated by the hot water heater. Really, you should check it. With todays homes using PVC piping, there may not be a real ground at the piping. The separate wire to an outside ground stake may be your best bet. Unfortunately, that has a problem also...that wire may be the best ground in the house...and a short or lightening strike close by may exit through your best ground. Oh well...
 
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