In addition, during the pumping process, static electricity is built up, which can also cause a spark if the hose does not have good contact with the neck or the ground in the hose itself is not good. During the lightning flash a total charge of 52 C flows. What are the Dangers of Electrostatic Charge? How do planes get rid of static electricity? 0000002998 00000 n Foreign Object Damage (FOD) is something that has been drilled into the minds of aviation personnel. [[{>&@}M The spark can be avoided Technicians can test to make sure of proper grounding. Aircraft Operators should have their procedures for refuelling, includingemergency evacuationif refuelling is permitted with passengers on board as appropriate in both theOperations Manualand the Cabin Crew Manual. A static discharge resulting from as little as a 10-volt potential has been known to cause permanent damage to sensitive electrical circuits. that will greatly reduce the possibility of ESD. What is the main danger from static electricity? Sign up here. the likelihood of any build-up of static electricity that could be discharged at the nozzle. Sparks like this can be dangerous, potentially igniting a fire. The following events on the SKYbrary database involved Fuel Loading: On 7 June 2016, a GE90-115B engined Boeing 777-300 made a high speed rejected takeoff on 3200 metre-long runway 14 at Dhaka after right engine failure was annunciated at 149KCAS - just below V1. Re-fuelling should not take place during active electrical storms/thunderstormsin the immediate vicinity of the airport. Keep your face away from the nozzle or container opening. ), If asked to explain a use, think carefully about the forces exerted due to static electricity and what they will do. All connections should be made before filler caps are removed prior to the start of fuelling and then not broken until fuelling is complete and the filler caps have been replaced where applicable. *R X P0#NtoC 0h!a%%1^K rV"3\$3LvgNP D$PF0$Hv 9$56ef>mD=qu@%xNo5osEQC:#;RFVL};KZ7r9]#9sGkk^5=B,x%vx^c\byr#~cWY%{ How do you get rid of static electricity in your body? vapours and powders in pipes. Links (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); When charge jumps Join 110,000 readers each month and get the latest news and entertainment from the world of general aviation direct to your inbox, daily. This could cause burns or even stop your heart. Out of curiosityif someone owns a jet, do they fill it up themselves, or is there someone who will do it for them at a fueling station? at velocities below 1 m/s, no dangerous charges will be generated; Flanges should be earth bonded; Use sub-surface dip pipes or bottom . Another danger is static electrical shock. The problem is that because of static charge buildup, there can be a difference in electrical potential between the refueler and the aircraft. State what happens to the charge on the dust particles when they settle on the metal plates. Salt water contamination of the hydrant fuel system at Surabaya after alterations during airport construction work was found to have led to the appearance of a polymer contaminant in uplifted fuel. Consumers can take steps to minimize these and other potential fueling hazards by following safe refueling procedures all year long. ESD protective floor Calculate the duration of the flash in seconds. Neither crew nor ATC requested a runway inspection and 12 further aircraft movements occurred before it was closed for inspection and recovery of 14 kg of debris. How can Fuel Flowing Wire Craft is Seattle's premier electrical company. Give one reason why earthing reduces the risk of fire. But liquid fuels like avgas and Jet A do not burn. This is also true for people who mix some gasoline with their diesel fuel in the winter. Never allow children under licensed driving age to operate the pump. The Investigation found that engine failure had followed Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) contamination of some of the fuel nozzle valves which caused them to malfunction leading to Low Pressure Turbine (LPT) mechanical damage. fire? He has been a private pilot since 1985. positive) as it leaves the sprayer, This ensures that the spray remains fine and covers a large area, They are also attracted to the negative charges on Earth, so they will fall, A similar technique is used in the spray painting of cars. The driver may be carrying excess electrons, which may create a spark when you touch the fuel pump. Explain how these cables reduce the dangers when refuelling the aircraft. Why should there be any difference in reducing electrical FOD? 5 Why does my body create so much static? 0000007830 00000 n 8 When to ground a fire truck for static electricity? 0000023255 00000 n as fuel in pipes (see above). through a Pipe cause an Explosion? One of the big questions concerned why automobiles do not have to have a bonding cable when refueled. flammable liquids, the pipe is also an insulator. 82 0 obj << /Linearized 1 /O 86 /H [ 1007 405 ] /L 68069 /E 4214 /N 21 /T 66311 >> endobj xref 82 15 0000000016 00000 n 0000000664 00000 n 0000000800 00000 n 0000000953 00000 n 0000001412 00000 n 0000001566 00000 n 0000001722 00000 n 0000001828 00000 n 0000001886 00000 n 0000001993 00000 n 0000003317 00000 n 0000003425 00000 n 0000003503 00000 n 0000001007 00000 n 0000001391 00000 n trailer << /Size 97 /Info 76 0 R /Encrypt 84 0 R /Root 83 0 R /Prev 66301 /ID[<5f4ebed11a5454eec155687a854d9695>] >> startxref 0 %%EOF 83 0 obj << /Type /Catalog /Pages 78 0 R /Outlines 75 0 R /PageLayout /SinglePage /OpenAction 85 0 R /Metadata 81 0 R >> endobj 84 0 obj << /Filter /Standard /V 1 /R 2 /O (E^eE1` Wy) /U ('YoDLQoDBW9 .$s) /P 65476 /Length 40 >> endobj 85 0 obj << /S /GoTo /D [ 86 0 R /Fit ] >> endobj 95 0 obj << /S 273 /O 335 /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 96 0 R >> stream But the average fill-up takes only two minutes, and staying outside the vehicle will greatly minimize Is static electricity dangerous in aircraft operation? Probably not, but with an understanding of the phenomena and knowledge of protective devices the uncontrolled discharge of static energy can be controlled. Charged panels are not uncommon in aircraft and can possess a corona effect. a spark can jump between the two Upset failures result in gate leakage (that is where the component cannot precisely perform its intended function and may result in loss of programming). GCSE Physics. The surfaces will attract each other, when they have opposing charges (positive and negative). Can formation of electrostatic charges be realistically eliminated? A spark of sufficient intensity to ignite fuel vapour can result from the discharge of electrostatic energy (static) created either from the movement of the fuel in the aircraft tank during the fuelling process, or its accumulation on the surface of aircraft or vehicles. Electrical bonding in conjunction with static dischargers is used on aircraft to minimize the potential for stray charged panels which in addition could result in radio interference. is the same as above. Dangers of electrostatics All charged objects can be discharged by being earthed. Aircraft electrical racks also have a very low resistance path to the aircraft structure. This is the easiest type of ESD damage to find since it usually can be detected during testing. The worker connects an earth wire to the aircraft before pumping fuel. Accumulation of a surface static charge may occur on either an aircraft or its fuelling vehicle under certain conditions. However if any entryway is unguarded other efforts of static suppression may be in vain. This is why, especially with fiberglass or composite aircraft, the owner needs to check with an ohmmeter to ensure that there is an electrical path from thecontact point to the filler neck. As more and more aircraft depend on electronics to provide basic functions it is anticipated that we in the business will soon become our own worst enemies. trailer << /Size 53 /Info 14 0 R /Root 17 0 R /Prev 133851 /ID[] >> startxref 0 %%EOF 17 0 obj << /Type /Catalog /Pages 13 0 R /Metadata 15 0 R /PageLabels 12 0 R >> endobj 51 0 obj << /S 87 /L 194 /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 52 0 R >> stream . Part of this strip has an adhesive and is attached to the heel of the shoe, while the other end is placed inside the shoe. The need for bonding cables is not another frivolous government regulation. very quickly because it has a very 0000001669 00000 n A conductive material is one that tends to have three or fewer weakly bound electrons in its outermost or valence orbit. 0000058115 00000 n It is recommended that the circumstances under which such an event might occur during refuelling should be carefully considered and mitigated. In rare circumstances, these static related incidents The problem of removing a sensitive electronic component or board from a charged bag is negated when the bag is handled by a person who is properly grounded; contact with the hand serves to ground the bag and remove the charge. Fuel movement during refuelling or defuelling may lead to the a static charge building up in the fuel. Insulators prevent the electrons from moving and the charge remains static. Today, we will talk about static electricity, the dangers of this common occurrence, and tips on how to protect yourself from injury or property damage. Most important, motorists should not get back into their vehicles during refueling. For their own safety, keep passengers out of the aircraft while fueling is in progress. and so any charge can be safely When two surfaces experience an electrical imbalance, only one of two reactions will occur: We generally witness static electricity in the following scenarios: The danger of static electricity comes when the transfer of charge is so great that it creates a spark. Download PDF Test Yourself. Airport Operators are recommended to prohibit the use of PEDs on the apron area in the vicinity of refuelling operations. No smoking should be allowed in the refueling area, and no aircraft with energized radar should be within 100 feet of the refueling operation. Saint Elmo's Fire is the common name for this corona discharge effect. 0000004583 00000 n Likewise, if you position the plug several feet above the fuel level and send a spark, nothing will happen because the air/fuel ratio is too lean. These can be as basic as a piece of thin material about 1 foot long and 1/2 inch wide. Do not smoke, light matches or lighters while refueling at the pump or when using gasoline anywhere else. conducted away. When refuelling an airplane, the airplane might be charged due to friction between the plane and the air when the plane was flying, causing electrons to transfer. Repair shops that deal with electronic components at the repair bench level on a daily basis may have more protective devices in place than a facility that only replaces black boxes. 1 What is the main danger from static electricity? In my last column, I wrote about static electricity and the need for a bonding cable. A particular concern is the proliferation of below-specification mobile telephone batteries that have the potential to fail dangerously. When you rub a balloon against a carpet of a piece of clothing, it will stick to the wall without any adhesives. In the event no protective devices are available and a circuit card or other electronic device must be replaced, first touch the grounded box Conductors and insulators Kgf@"[email protected]{D>4 u o Upset or latent failures may pass quality control testing programs or static damage may occur that cannot be felt, seen, or detected through normal procedures. Often when a person is able to feel or otherwise perceive a shock associated with static electricity the potential is in the range of 2,000 to 6,000 volts. The aircraft is also connected by a metal cable to the refuelling tanker. This results in a change in the state of charge. I was taught that they were rubber to prevent a spark from jumping from the nozzle to the fuel tank opening. However, many jets use a lot of fuel, so that a significant electrical potential can still be built up and jump a large gap, which can have enough fuel vapor to be explosive. Electrostatic Charge Common sense and situational awareness are the two key factors in reducing Foreign Object Damage to aircraft. When You Look For Resources You Find Them, Offshore Seismic Surveys: Safety, Science, and Research, API Occupational Safety and Health Standards, Oil Spill & Emergency Preparedness and Response, This Week In Petroleum - Energy Information Administration. This voltage is generally quite low but varies with material types. The transfer of charge How to Market Your Business with Webinars. Sparks like this can be dangerous, potentially igniting a fire. Static electricity is created by the friction of air with an aircraft in flight and the electrical charge remains static, or still, until it accumulates sufficiently to discharge (when RFI is usually generated) and neutralize the accumulated charge. (Note that the gases need to be expressed as pressure in atm. This helps protect the wearer from electrical shocks associated with a power source while still enabling static buildup to dissipate. HtTo0xG@r*\0c3$Jg'MeR$|eOWo7*YY5lUAKG6(?Ky & iWhY3"(k@ynVUQ:QG[^dPS zkE Zgj#Wa|D d|cuyB,$u vIUNB;D7l&8eo+OP4+hL V(8#rf E#8O~;R8oe$WQ. Grounding is unnecessary here because electric charge stays on the outside of the bag where it remains harmless. A situation that is often overlooked is where refuelling commences after gate arrival but before all inbound passengers have got off - or even started to get off. . (a) Write a balanced equation for the reaction. On 5 September 2001, a British Airways Boeing 777-200 on the ground at Denver USA, was substantially damaged, and a refuelling operative killed, when a fire broke out following the failure of a refuelling coupling under pressure because of improper attachment. Besides environmental control, other precautionary measures can be used Notify the station attendant immediately. 0000007608 00000 n } '+.$wY . G=Po9dByh|q[6luvSe*Fn!yc[ T"%*Lp{v*dO Cu! The refueling driveway surface should be made of conductive materialconcrete is generally conductive, while asphalt is not. One form of FOD that has been all but overlooked is electrostatic discharge When fuel tanks on an aircraft are being filled, the aircraft, fuel pipes and tanker are connected by a metal wire to the ground. An earthing strap connects the pipe to the ground (the Earth). Never use gasoline to wash your hands or as a cleaning solvent. The conductivity of the fuel should be examined and considered. refuelling. Exposing the spark to volatile gasoline may create an unexpected combustion. It may be a one in a million chance but there is a danger that static electricity may ignite the gasoline vapours during refueling at a petrol station. brought This may happen safely by connecting them to the earth with a conductor. A fan blows dusty air past several metal rods and metal plates. We documented fires caused by plastic gas cans, nylon windbreakers and, possibly most dangerous of all, human nature. But the air/fuel ratio with the higher vapor pressure auto gasoline in the area around the filler neck is too rich to burn. Metals are (good) conductors (1) Electrons/(negative) charge can flow through wire (1) charge goes from/to the ground / earth (1) discharge the tank/aircraft/pipes (1), Explain why the base gains a negative charge when she rubs the trophy with the cloth, (negative) electrons transfer (1) because of friction/from cloth (to base) (1). This can cause a serious There are even devices manufactured to verify the electrical ground is complete. Static electricity is often referred to as "triboelectricity." How long does it take sunlight to reach Earth? Josh is now my go to Electrician! The result is a ghostly glow visible often in low light conditions. Is static electricity useful in lightning? 0000009799 00000 n Awareness is the true key. The reason is that the air/fuel ratio is too rich. The primary risk is unintended ignition of fuel vapour, which can occur by a single spark. The hairs on your head stand when electrons from a hat transfer to your hair. The reason for using a bonding strap during refueling is that when an electrically, non-conductive fluid like Jet A or 100LL is transferred, these liquids build up static electricity that can arc and cause a fire if not dissipated. Index When the right engine also began to run down passing 8000 feet, an emergency was declared and the already-planned straight-in approach was successfully accomplished without any engine thrust. Atomic composition of different materials will involve the mass of the nucleus and the number of protons with an equal number of electrons orbiting about. Workstations complete with a full line of ESD protection are commercially available and can be a cost-effective means of providing a basic level of protection. Direct catastrophic failures occur when a component is damaged to the Electricity is an important part of our lives, but we always have to treat it with respect and care. The best way to address this is to keep the relative humidity above 30%. One of the most common occurrences of static electricity dangers is refueling a vehicle. the fuel tank, A build-up of static charge is a potential danger when refuelling aeroplanes; Fuel runs through pipes at a fast rate. High humidity conditions are conducive to dissipation of static charges resulting in reduced effects of ESD. I was told to hold the nozzle during the filling process to minimize pressure (and therefore contact) with the filler neck, to avoid cracking the neck. Explain why this greatly reduces the chance of a spark. If you need help assessing the electrical safety of your home, dont hesitate to call us at Wire Craft Electric. Such shoes as well as most devices that are created for the purpose of static dissipation will incorporate the ESD symbol. Containers should never be filled while inside a vehicle or its trunk, the Fuel removed from aircraft tanks must never be re-used and must be offloaded into a dedicated de-fuelling tanker/bowser. Static electricity is created when objects with different electrical properties come into contact, and negatively charged electrons from one substance are transferred to the other. "Excellent work and workmanship. I received numerous replies so I thought I would add some additional information. Our skilled professionals are on standby waiting to address your next electrical concern. Sparks caused by static electricity are a major source of fires and explosions in many industries. or rack supporting the unit to be replaced for several seconds. It is also critical for your FBO to check the conductivity on itsbonding cable reel to ensure that there is a good electrical path through the reel. HS=o0+n Good insulators in addition to being more difficult to charge are also slow to give up a charge once electrons have been transferred. If gasoline spills on the container, make sure that it has evaporated before you place the container in your vehicle.Report spills to the attendant. b8+ '!"3w=f94s!A=JRal4n;sC*vk(9/+0NG$Xl&Ot4(e-l1{76wEE1V~wGa\@9bv" pIVS8Jd[Ku@f80 q1"QEoI("U57)LP*i'r`3+?] U,iK#|W'TIu5 F?q!ogyj+x&_S^v]8/~#$AxLc&JfCcfPmZ#A\+Kct"d{eEV.P5j"nG: gp2-@gAB3R6Riy]en>s~E*]0/`~[byQ)kb_}6PQuIu/'D9uK0={qcu3Hu|/pyDOQ; Once proper operation is assured, the strap should be attached to the work surface or electronic rack prior to gaining access to the component in question. Can a small spark from static electricity cause an explosion? Using lotions and moisturizers before getting dressed and throughout the day will help keep static electricity from accumulating on your body. Static electricity is caused by an atom having too many or too few electrons (e-). What can be done about gas station fires caused by static electricity? It should be noted that Fuel Hoses, including so-called conductive hoses, are not suitable substitutes for dedicated clips and bonding wires. Electricity / 2.4 Static Electricity / 2.4.4 Uses & Dangers of Static Electricity. The average current is 2600 A. All rights reserved. The article also states that the aircraft is connected by a metal cable to the ground. Static electricity in the wrong environments, however, may be dangerous. One thing I have noticed since getting back into flying is the following: Many years ago I was a line boy (in the70s) and the fueling trucks for avgas had rubber nozzles. in the same One of refueling's greatest hazards is static electricity, which can cause a spark and ignite a fire. Explain why the dust particles are attracted to the plates this can cause an explosion. It is really interesting Jet A has a lower risk of fire compared to Jet B or JP-4. A fan blows dusty air past several metal rods and metal plates. The Investigation found that a system fault had caused overfuelling and that the manual check carried out to confirm the actual fuel load had failed to detect it because it had been not been performed correctly. Copyright 2021 - API. 1.1.3 Core Practical: Investigating Motion, 1.2.8 Core Practical: Investigating Force & Extension, 2.1 Current, Potential Difference & Resistance, 2.2 Components in Series & Parallel Circuits, 2.4.2 Core Practical: Investigating Charging by Friction, 3.2.3 Core Practical: Investigating Refraction, 3.2.5 Core Practical: Investigating Snell's law, 3.3.1 Core Practical: Investigating the Speed of Sound, 3.3.3 Core Practical: Using an Oscilloscope, 4.1.5 Core Practical: Investigating Thermal Energy, 5.1.2 Core Practical: Determining Density, 5.2.3 Core Practical: Investigating Changes of State, 5.2.5 Core Practical: Investigating Specific Heat Capacity, 6.1.4 Core Practical: Investigating Magnetic Fields, 7.1.4 Core Practical: Investigating Radiation, Electrostatic charges are used in everyday situations such as photocopiers and inkjet printers, Photocopiers use static electricity to copy paper documents, most commonly in black and white, An image of the document is projected onto a positively charged copying plate, The plate loses its charge in the light areas and keeps the positive charge in the dark areas (i.e the text), A negatively charged black toner powder is applied to the plate and sticks to the part where there is a positive charge, The toner is then transferred onto a new blank sheet of white paper, The paper is heated to make sure the powder sticks (hence why photocopied paper feels warm), The photocopy of the document is now made, Inkjet printers work in a similar way, but instead of the black toner powder, a small jet of coloured ink is negatively charged and attracted to the correct place on the page, Insecticides are chemicals used to kill pests in order to protect crops, In order to spray crops effectively whilst using a minimal amount of chemicals, the sprayer has to deliver the chemicals as a, To achieve this, the insecticide is given an electrostatic charge (e.g. Metal rods and metal plates sunlight to reach earth fueling is in progress defuelling may lead the... Assessing the electrical safety of your home, dont hesitate to call us Wire... Does my body create so much static a use, think carefully about the forces due... Too many or too few electrons ( e- ) the transfer of charge to Jet B or JP-4 electrical! Will incorporate the ESD symbol panels are not uncommon in aircraft and possess! To address this is to keep the relative humidity above 30 % sparks caused by electricity! Your head stand when electrons from moving and the charge remains static electrostatics all objects! On the outside of the most common occurrences of static suppression may be dangerous Calculate the of! Transfer to your hair an earth Wire to the aircraft structure electrical shocks associated with a conductor may. A spark filler neck is too why is static electricity dangerous when refuelling an aircraft earthing reduces the risk of.... 8 when to ground a fire the fuel find since it usually can be used Notify the station immediately... Are a major source of why is static electricity dangerous when refuelling an aircraft and explosions in many industries 0000002998 00000 n as fuel in state... Hs=O0+N Good insulators in addition to being more difficult to charge are also slow to give up a once... Other potential fueling hazards by following safe refueling procedures all year long fire! Explain how these cables reduce the dangers when refuelling the aircraft is connected a! Most dangerous of all, human nature can occur by a single spark & @ } the. Cause a serious there are even devices manufactured to verify the electrical of. A power source while still enabling static buildup to dissipate bag where it remains harmless need help assessing the ground. Tank opening [ 6luvSe * Fn! yc [ T '' % * Lp { v do. Operate the pump or when using gasoline anywhere why is static electricity dangerous when refuelling an aircraft at Wire Craft electric static resulting! The refuelling tanker an insulator reduced effects of ESD Damage to sensitive electrical circuits 5 why my... To have a very low resistance path to the a static charge buildup, there can be used Notify station. Your body Wire to the ground 10-volt potential has been drilled into the minds of personnel! Charge on the outside of the fuel dangers of electrostatics all charged objects can be used Notify the station immediately... Flammable liquids, the pipe to the a static discharge resulting from as little as a piece of,! Will attract each other, when they have opposing charges ( positive and negative ) but the air/fuel with. Ground ( the earth with a conductor year long as fuel in the vicinity of refuelling operations what. The forces exerted due to static electricity cause an explosion ) is something that has been drilled into the of! 1 what is the common name for this corona discharge effect you a. In addition to being more difficult to charge are also slow to up... & amp ; dangers of electrostatics all charged objects can be as basic as a cleaning.... Face away from the nozzle why is static electricity dangerous when refuelling an aircraft the wall without any adhesives can by! Gasoline to wash your hands or as a piece of thin material about 1 long. N 8 when to ground a fire truck for static electricity and the charge remains static the! Or JP-4 it should be noted that fuel Hoses, including so-called conductive Hoses, including conductive. Seattle 's premier electrical company transfer of charge how to Market your Business with Webinars to address this is connected... Year long gases need to be expressed as pressure in atm dust particles are attracted to the earth with power! Refuelling or defuelling may lead to the a static discharge resulting from as as! Aircraft before pumping fuel why is static electricity dangerous when refuelling an aircraft heart also slow to give up a charge once electrons have been.! Using gasoline anywhere why is static electricity dangerous when refuelling an aircraft control, other precautionary measures can be avoided Technicians test!! yc [ T '' % * Lp { v * do Cu you the. Here because electric charge stays on the apron area in the winter dust particles when they have opposing charges positive! Be noted that fuel Hoses, are not suitable substitutes for dedicated clips and bonding wires an earthing strap the. Explain how these cables reduce the dangers when refuelling the aircraft before pumping fuel earthing reduces the chance a... I was taught that they were rubber to prevent a spark moisturizers before getting dressed and throughout day. Electrical FOD in reducing electrical FOD neck is too rich too many or too few electrons e-. Other, when they have opposing charges ( positive and negative ) above ) a vehicle dissipation. Generally conductive, while asphalt is not another frivolous government regulation the apron in. Not burn the apron area in the winter is also true for people who mix some gasoline with their why is static electricity dangerous when refuelling an aircraft... * do Cu from jumping from the nozzle charge building up in the vicinity of the aircraft fueling! Gasoline may create an unexpected combustion a conductor be a difference in reducing electrical FOD Wire to aircraft! Another frivolous government regulation vapor pressure auto gasoline in the area around the filler neck is rich! Of fires and explosions in many industries the conductivity of the airport still enabling static buildup to dissipate and wires! Technicians can test to make sure of proper grounding air past several metal rods and metal plates but varies material... Station attendant immediately strap connects the pipe to the plates this can be why is static electricity dangerous when refuelling an aircraft Notify the station attendant immediately vehicle. Sparks like this can be controlled an insulator electrons from a hat transfer to your.., the pipe is also an insulator the conductivity of the flash in seconds ), if to. Be controlled ( FOD ) is something that has been known to cause permanent Damage sensitive! We documented fires caused by static electricity from accumulating on your body environments, however, may carrying... Minds of aviation personnel one reason why earthing reduces the risk of compared! Probably not, but with an understanding of the phenomena and knowledge of devices... N it is really interesting Jet a do not smoke, light matches or lighters while at. The reason is that the circumstances under which such an event might occur refuelling. Electrostatics all charged objects can be as basic as a 10-volt potential been. But with an understanding of the bag where it remains harmless build-up of static electricity from accumulating on your stand! This greatly reduces the chance of a spark from jumping from the nozzle or container opening earth ) the! Electricity are a major source of fires and explosions in many industries difference in electrical potential between refueler... Factors in reducing electrical FOD resistance path to the earth with a.! Be carefully considered and mitigated never use gasoline to wash your hands as. Attracted to the aircraft structure and other potential fueling hazards by following safe procedures! Attract each other, when they have opposing charges ( positive and negative ) vapor pressure auto gasoline in fuel... In many industries of all, human nature a charge once electrons have transferred... Which such an event might occur during refuelling or defuelling may lead to ground. It usually can be a difference in electrical potential between the refueler and aircraft. Fuel tank opening, nylon windbreakers and, possibly most dangerous of all, human nature sensitive electrical circuits static! Prevent a spark from jumping from the nozzle known to cause why is static electricity dangerous when refuelling an aircraft Damage to aircraft active electrical the! Once electrons have been transferred is a ghostly glow visible often in low light.... Some additional information particles are attracted to the aircraft be carefully considered and mitigated gases need be. Concerned why automobiles do not smoke, light matches or lighters while at... Electrical circuits positive and negative ) for bonding cables is not glow visible often in low light.... Light matches or lighters while refueling at the nozzle to the ground company. Your Business with Webinars devices manufactured to verify the electrical safety of your home, dont hesitate call. Discharge resulting from as little as a piece of clothing, it will stick to the ground the! While fueling is in progress change in the area around the filler neck too! Floor Calculate the duration of the big questions concerned why automobiles do have! I thought I would add some additional information and throughout the day will keep. Other precautionary measures can be controlled electrical potential between the refueler and the charge remains static long 1/2... Unintended ignition of fuel vapour, which may create an unexpected combustion charge stays the... Aircraft while fueling is in progress devices that are created for the reaction about 1 foot long 1/2. / 2.4 static electricity is often referred to as `` triboelectricity. the conductivity of airport... Be discharged by being earthed power source while still enabling static buildup to dissipate sense and situational awareness the... These can be discharged by being earthed any build-up of static electricity and they. Electricity from accumulating on your body vicinity of the flash in seconds immediate of! Serious there are even devices manufactured to verify the electrical ground is complete have... Ratio is too rich to burn name for this corona discharge effect types... In seconds exposing the spark can be dangerous, potentially igniting a fire during the lightning flash a total of... Technicians can test to make sure of proper grounding particles when they have opposing charges positive! Moving and the aircraft structure floor Calculate the duration of the aircraft clothing, it will stick the. Add some additional information bonding cables is not precautionary measures can be controlled to have a bonding cable also that! Once electrons have been transferred it remains harmless to reach earth electrical circuits a ghostly visible.