Originally Posted by
Graybeard
Typical scene: woman admits getting back in her car while it's refueling, then gets out and removes the nozzle, and the fire starts. We now have warnings at gas pumps to touch some metal part of the car before inserting or removing the nozzle.
Friction between certain insulators creates an electrostatic charge of up to 40,000 volts or more. Plastic loves to hold a charge. Plastic gas containers must be on the ground while being fueled. I recently hollered at a guy who was filling plastic gas containers while standing in the bed of his pickup with a plastic bed liner.
Same goes for refueling an aircraft from plastic containers. Everything must be brought to the same electrical potential, or ESD - a spark - will occur.
GB
Point taken,
GB...Although that is the only case I've ever heard of, no such warning signs here in the UK, but, as you say, static electricity is not to be taken lightly, earthing yourself before touching a fuel line is a sensible thing to do.
L6.