2. tech-talk
  3. 1391622488

Static electricity....again

Ok, I'm ready to burn the house down and move to Florida. I had a similar problem last winter. I live in Colorado and it's been snowing here like crazy. It is super dry here. My brother fried two pre amps last winter due to lightning bolts flying from his fingers to his pre amp anytime he touched the pre amp...

So here's what I have going on. I have all of my cables lifted off the ground with wooden blocks. My Equipment is plugged into a ps audio quintet, except for my amp which is plugged directly into the wall (porter port).

I don't have any remote controllers in my set-up so whenever I touch my equipment, I ground myself on a screw on the light switch first. I'll have so much electricity built up in my body that I can actually feel the hairs on my legs stand up when I do this.

Okay, well it has gotten to be so bad now that when I am just walking across the room, I can hear a few small pops coming out of my speakers. These are directly related to the static that is building up via my socks dragging across the carpet. I'm %100 sure of that.

My question is, what the heck do I do to remedy this problem before I damage any of my equipment? My house is probably 20 years old. Am I having these issues because the ground in my house is no good?

Btw, last winter when I was having these issues, I sprayed fabric softener all over and that seemed to work for, oh, about 20 minutes.

I'm going to get a humidifier and see how that helps. Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated! I'm about ready to change my user name to Zues!
128x128b_limo

Showing 4 responses by b_limo

b_limo's avatar
b_limo OP
2,273 posts
 
Mofi, its boggling me... It's not just isolated to me though, as my brother was having the same issues until he started using a humidifier 24/7 in his listening room.

Elizabeth! Long time no see; missed your input on my endless amount of silly questions lately. I'll try the water thing. I think your right about my carprt creating crazy amounts of electricity; never thought about that but I think you're right. Cheap crummy carpet.

I'm going to try the water thing, and also I'll try the slippers too Mofi! Both great ideas. Thank you both!
b_limo's avatar
b_limo OP
2,273 posts
 
Pbn, how do we send private messages? Can't figure it out...

I called madisound and got a qoute for crossovers using clarity esa caps but haven't had the funds to go through with it yet. The price was very reasonable and the gentleman (his name escapes me now) was super helpful and very professional. So, they are still mounted in the same cabinets as before (some phase tech boxes that I frankensteined) and I'm using the crossovers that came with them. They sound great but I'm sure they will sound better once I have the different crossovers and cabs.

Thanks a million for your help! By the way, I was taken aback when I stumbled upon your website and saw the speakers you build... wow! I can't tell you how much it means to me to talk first hand, and to recieve advice from you guys here. Much respect! I actually tried to start a thread with the focus on getting some of the producers of fine audio gear that are contributers here on audiogon, the recognition they deserve, but it got shot down.

Anyways, thanks for the suggestion Stereo 5!

I think I'm well on my way to getting a handle on this!
b_limo's avatar
b_limo OP
2,273 posts
 
Thanks everyone! All great advice.

Schubert, your comment made me laugh out loud, no joke. I had a rough day; that was the first geniune laugh I had all day. Thank you :)
b_limo's avatar
b_limo OP
2,273 posts
 
Cerrot,
Its interesting. I had my equipment on a metal framed wood shelved rack last year and when I'd ground myself on the rack I could hear popping noises through my speakers. No cables were touching the rack, sooo, the charge must have been going through the metal rack, transferring to the wooden shelves and entering my equipment through the equipments footers...?

Anyways.... I took care of my problem by not wearing my sweat pants (don't worry, I'm not naked, although, that might help lessen the interuptions...) not wearing socks and putting lotion on my feet so they aren't dry at all (can't believe I actually shared that, but oh well).

Last year I did spray an anti static spray on the carpet and cables but that would only work for about a half a day.

I think humidifier, less static buildup in clothes and socks (bare feet that aren't dry), thats they way to go.

What antistatic products are out there for our cables??
More to discover