A static shock is a type of electrical current that flows across the surface of your body.
It can be quite annoying, and some people just do not want to deal with them. The shocks do not last long, and if not dealt with immediately, they will only get worse. Vacuuming or sweeping is the preferred method to get rid of static.
But hardly will avoiding the problem solve it. And that’s why it’s high time you take measurements by finding out how to prevent static shock from vacuum cleaner.
Now there could be a few reasons why the problem could be occurring frequently, solving the cause can help. Or it could also be done by adding something extra that can act as a better outlet than anyone’s skin.
We’ll talk about all of that one by one, stay!
So How to Prevent Static Shock from Vacuum Cleaner?
You can add humidity to the space, get some copper wires wrapped on the unit or solve the grounding issue if your home has one. Some tips can also help in avoiding being electrocuted.
Understanding Why It Happens
Before we enter the segments discussing how to stop static electricity while vacuuming, let’s find out why exactly it is happening.
And for that, you need to focus on the hose, the part that originates the static shock. It comes in contact with a lot of different materials from wood to a concert and what not. And so, friction is bound to be caused at some point.
With passing time, the friction keeps building up negative charges. But those charges will have no impact until they interact with something that is positively charged.
Now the problem is, the human body has a positive charge! And you will now already guess what’s causing the shock. Exactly! The interaction between both charges for neutralizing and balancing.
However, if we can manage another positively charged element, for those negative charges, probably it won’t choose our skin as an outlet. And that’s what this whole thing is about!
The Humidity Factor of Your House Can Help
A dry environment is like a heaven for static electricity. And so, adding humidity to the environment can be your first bet to prevent static shock from a shop vac.
You see, the water would be playing the protector role to work against the electrical charge. As then, it would be the shelter for the electrons to visit instead of discharging on someone’s skin.
An air humidifier will be your best bet two keep static shocks away along with serving a few other benefits you are going to enjoy. If you already have a heater or radiator system, that can help too. Just place a pot filled with water right on top of it.
And voila, you know you have a replicator of a humidifier in your space. However, if that’s also not possible, use the stove. Boil water in a huge pot and use a little bit of salt in it as well.
Switch To Copper Wire for The Unit
The copper wire has a nanostructure. And that’s why it’s a fantastic conductor for electricity. A lot of you make the electrons get in contact with a solid copper. They’ll go nuts for it and gladly excuse your skin from turning into an outlet.
And so, if you’ve ever thought to yourself, how do I make my vacuum hose anti-static by doing changes to the unit, then this is it.
Of course, you need to insert the wires into the right area. Here’s how to do it:
- Get the unit unplugged for that first.
- Now get around two feet of copper wire for wrapping around the vacuum.
- You want to take the hose out from the vacuum cuff.
- Wrap one foot right around the cuff area of the hose. Then it can go back to its spot, make sure you screw it scarcely.
- Now for the remaining one foot of copper wire, you want to wrap it through the hose itself. So that it can stay right on the area where friction is made.
Grounding Could Be the Issue
Not having outlets that are ground could be it. And this is a very frequent scene to see for older homes. As new ones will need to be grounded according to building code that assures homeowner’s safety. But that is not the case for older houses.
So, if this is the problem, you should be able to confirm it by testing the outlet with other devices of hose. And as soon as you comfort that, make sure to replace these ungrounded outlets with the ones that are grounded.
Keep in mind such replacements are something that involves lots of tricky matters, hence quite a bit of risk. And so, it’s only sensible to hire professionals who know how these things should go. Or else physical harm and burning units could end up causing a disaster.
Avoid Getting Electrocuted by Vacuum Cleaner with These Additional Tips
If you need to vacuum the porch but it just rained, then start by getting rid of any puddles that might be on it. That thing will automatically put you at maximum risk of getting electrocuted while vacuuming.
The outer cord has wear and tear to the point that wires were sticking out, in this case, you should never vacuum before covering the exposed parts. Use good-quality electrical tape, and wrap it completely.
Wrapping Up
And now you have a good idea of how to prevent static shock from vacuum cleaner. This was an extremely grave matter of safety and we are so glad you did the right thing by finding out more on how to avoid such a thing.
Electricity shocks are very common and could happen at any time, anywhere. No doubt, such static shocks are not always life-threatening. But sometimes, you could be unlucky and end up getting badly hurt due to the shock. Also, if you have little kids and pets at home, it puts them at risk. So better get the thing sorted now or probably live in such fear.
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