What is this?
Static shocks are caused by a build-up of static electrical charge on your body, which discharges when you touch a grounded or differently-charged object. This is not related to your mains electrical wiring and is not a wiring fault. Static is caused by friction — typically walking on certain carpets or wearing synthetic fabrics — and is much more common in winter when indoor air is dry due to central heating. While annoying and sometimes quite sharp, static shocks are not dangerous.
Common causes
- Synthetic carpets or rugs generating static charge as you walk
- Low indoor humidity, especially during winter with central heating running
- Synthetic clothing and footwear, particularly rubber-soled shoes on synthetic carpet
- Dry air from air conditioning or underfloor heating
- New carpet that has not yet been treated with anti-static spray
Is it dangerous?
Static shocks are not dangerous. The voltage is high (thousands of volts) but the current is extremely low and the duration is a tiny fraction of a second. They cannot cause injury. However, if you are experiencing what feels like a mains electric shock rather than a brief sharp snap, you should treat that as a wiring fault and not static.
Can I fix it myself?
There are several effective remedies. Increase the humidity in your home with a humidifier or by placing bowls of water near radiators. Use an anti-static spray on carpets and upholstery. Wear cotton clothing and leather-soled shoes instead of synthetics. Touch a metal object like a key to a grounded surface before touching door handles to discharge gradually. Anti-static dryer sheets rubbed on carpets also help.
When to call an electrician
You do not normally need an electrician for static electricity. However, if the shocks feel like mains electricity (a sustained buzzing or tingling rather than a brief snap), if they occur when touching light switches, sockets, or taps, or if they happen regardless of what you are wearing or walking on, these could be mains electrical faults disguised as static. In that case, call an electrician to check your earthing and bonding.
What will an electrician do?
Confirm whether the shocks are static or mains-related through testing
Test the earthing of the property if a mains fault is suspected
Check the bonding on metalwork including pipes and radiators
Advise on anti-static measures if the shocks are genuinely static
Typical cost
Free – £80
If the issue is genuinely static electricity, no electrician is needed. If an electrician visits and confirms it is static, you may pay a call-out fee but no repair cost.
