Am I the only one that gets zapped by metal earphones?

[Baitball Blogger]

I stopped using them, unless I can't find my usual pair because they almost always zap me when I'm running on the treadmill. And I can hear the spikes when I wear them to listen to a DVD on the laptop.

I just wondered why they bother to make metal ear plugs if this is a common experience?

[bluesbassman]

1. Do you live in a very dry area, and/or have dry skin?

Those conditions can cause some people to be more susceptible to static electrical discharge.

[Baitball Blogger]

2. I must have dry skin.

We're getting plenty of rain, so it must be me.

[cliffordu]

3. I get Zappa on my headphones.

But zapped? Not so much.....

[jakeXT]

4. I have never used a treadmill, sounds scary

Last edited Tue Sep 10, 2013, 12:20 PM - Edit history (1)

Background:
While the shock can be alarming it is not related to the electrical components of the
treadmill in most cases. Instead, it is more often related to the buildup of an electrostatic
charge through the interaction of the user and the belt of the treadmill and can be
exasperated by low relative humidity in the fitness facility. Electrostatic charges seek a path
to ground in order to discharge. When a user builds up a large static charge, the charge
seeks a place to discharge to ground. Much like the shock a person would realize when
touching the metal screws near a light switch after walking across a carpeted floor, the
treadmill user has built up a large static charge and the headphones provide the path to
ground. The electrostatic discharge spark occurs from the inside of the ear through the
sound opening in the earphone to the speaker inside then through the wiring to ground

safe-wise.com/downloads/HotTopicEelctrostaticShockonTreadmills.pdf

The only problems I have are knots in the cord or one ear piece providing no or only minimal sound.

[Baitball Blogger]

6. I usually use the plastic tip earplugs, but I can't find them, so I have to deal

with what I have. But, yes, that about describes what I suspect has been going on.

[mockmonkey]

5. In the wintertime

when I'm at the Laundromat and I'm getting things out of the dryer I get shocks to the ears from my headphones. I'm not sure what you mean by metal headphones, mine are mostly plastic on the outside.

I once got shocks in my hands at the Piggly-Wiggly while pushing the shopping cart around. I had my ESD work shoes on at the time which is really weird.

ESD = Electrostatic Discharge

[RebelOne]

7. Only in the winter. Then I get zapped by anything metal. n/t