What causes a static electricity shock?

Static electricity is the accumulation of electric charge on
the surface of a material. It is called “static” because the charges are at
rest rather than flowing as an electric current. Plastic used in the
manufacture of vacuum containers, hoses, molded accessories, rubber or plastic
surfaces that hold sandpaper, etc., can become reservoirs of electrons until
those electrons are discharged into a conductor like a wire, or the human body.

These reservoirs can hold considerably more electrons in dry
conditions and in high humidity conditions. An unattended vacuum collection
container will lose electrons over time when left unattended, or very violently
if the contents interact with an electrical conductor having continuity with
the earth (often called, ground). Wires, metal, and humans are all conductors
of electricity if they are in direct contact with or very close proximity to
ground (hence the blue snap often seen when there’s a discharge)

Can sawdust serve as a reservoir to accumulate a
sufficient amount of static electricity?

Yes, sawdust is primarily cellulose, which is:

o  Electrically insulating (high surface
resistivity when dry)

o  Easily charged by friction (triboelectric
effect)

o  Often handled in bulk flow (which promotes
charging)

Static charge develops when particles:

o  Rub against each other

o  Strike duct walls

o  Move through plastic hoses

o  Fall through air (particle–air charge
separation)

o  Pass through grinders, sanders, or conveyors

o  Because the particles are small and dry, the charge cannot easily dissipate.

The best way to eliminate static is to have a constant source of continuity with the earth (often referred to as a ground connection in wiring). This is what X-Static provides: A constant connection between the reservoirs of static electricity in a dust collection system with a circuit that almost instantly delivers electrons into the earth before a shock can occur.

 

Click here to watch the Grounding Hardware Installation video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRthfCFlak0

IMPORTANT – READ FIRST! FASTER BETTER EASIER, LLC, THE MAKERS OF THE DUSTOPPER® and X-Static®, ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE AND/OR INJURIES THAT MAY OCCUR FROM IMPROPER GROUNDING OR STATIC DISCHARGE. IT IS THE USER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THEIR DUSTOPPER® SYSTEM IS PROPERLY GROUNDED TO THE GROUND LUG INCLUDED WITH THEIR PURCHASE.