More odd news: Man builds up 30,000 volts of electricity by walking and melts carpet!

[Rhode Island Red]

Walking advertisement for the cotton industry

and I thought the dead cats as fuel was quite strange

Victorian authorities believe a man built up at least 30,000 volts of static electricity in his jacket simply by walking around the western Victorian city of Warrnambool yesterday.

The man left a trail of scorch marks and molten plastic behind him.

It was yesterday afternoon when Frank Clewer walked into a Warrnambool business and got his first shock.

"It sounded almost like a firecracker or something like that," he said.

"It was at the reception area. Within say, around five minutes, the carpet started to erupt," he said.

Burns the size of 10-cent pieces were left on the carpet where Mr Clewer had been standing.

The Country Fire Authority evacuated the building and those around it, fearing the power could cause larger electrical problems.

But Mr Clewer's worries continued when he got back in his car.

"I actually scorched a piece of plastic I had on the floor of the car," he said.

Scientist Karl Kruszelnicki says it is likely the electrical build-up was caused by a number of factors, such as the synthetic clothes the man was wearing.

"This poor guy has built up static electricity thanks to an unfortunate combination of insulating clothes that he's wearing, static, synthetic clothes, just walking along and he's just building up this static charge everywhere," Dr Kruszelnicki said.

"I've read of it but I've never heard of it here in Australia."

The CFA has Mr Clewer's jacket and says it is continuing to give off voltage.
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[Joe 1320]

It's not the voltage that can kill you, it's the amps.

[95TransAm]

It's not the voltage that can kill you, it's the amps.

Yes sir....and it doesn't take many amps to kill you...depending on whether it goes directly to your heart or not. If I remember correctly, it's something like 50-300 Joules can kill you.

That is a pretty crazy story though

[wolfdogs]

what a ................shock.

[Joe 1320]

what a ................shock.

No doubt he got a charge out of life.

[Jeff_in_Atl]

Once of the certifications I had to get where I work is on static electricity. I watched the instructor take a roll of masking tape and take off about a 1 foot long piece. He set it on top of a volt meter and it went up over 2500 volts just from the static of pealing it off the roll.

If the humidity goes below 30% in the lab they have to turn on an air ionizer. If it goes below 15% they have to stop work and get at least a foot away from anything electronic.

[Joe 1320]

Once of the certifications I had to get where I work is on static electricity. I watched the instructor take a roll of masking tape and take off about a 1 foot long piece. He set it on top of a volt meter and it went up over 2500 volts just from the static of pealing it off the roll.

If the humidity goes below 30% in the lab they have to turn on an air ionizer. If it goes below 15% they have to stop work and get at least a foot away from anything electronic.

Sounds like a revolting experience.

[braindeadracefan]

I think you guys made me a little sick with your puns... but WOW! He burned the carpet??

[Joe 1320]

I think you guys made me a little sick with your puns... but WOW! He burned the carpet??

Oh, come on........ You know you are electrified by the whole thread.

[fastTa]

Yep, only takes 7-10 milliamps to stop the human heart. Also it is very common for anywhere between 10,000 and 35,000 volts to build up from a human just walking around on carpet in dry weather. That is the spark you can see and hear discharge from your finger to the metal doorknob.

BTW, I am shocked at all of Joe's poor puns!

[Christopherrr]

you guys are funny. and girls.

[Joe 1320]

BTW, I am shocked at all of Joe's poor puns!

Hey, don't give me any static..... these puns are older than Ken.

[fastTa]

Hey, don't give me any static..... these puns are older than Ken.

Uh oh! Wolfie's gonna get amped!

[bru333]

Uh oh! Wolfie's gonna get amped!

This thread has the potential for high tension.

[Joe 1320]

I'm sure it will go past the resistance of many, the puns will surge forward. So let's get this thing off the ground , eh?