Why Do Trampolines Get So Much Static Electricity?

A trampoline is poly mesh. It's plastic is made of polyester and is open to make tiny holes. It's not prone to stretching or shrinking, and is ideal for outdoor use.

Two ways in which bounces on trampolines could result in the creation of static electricity.

If you leap on a trampoline wearing socks, the socks touch the plastic of the mat. Because polyester is a fantastic insulation material, the electrons will be released from your socks and you'll become charged. If you've got hair that's long will begin to grow out of your head.

Another way is to make sure that you're wearing nylon, polyester, or wool clothes. The bouncing motion causes clothing to move in a direction that is against the skin, causing electrons to move from one place to the next.

The last method to decrease your static electric charge you are generating is to release it regularly. Every few minutes you stop jumping, and then contact the trampoline's frame. This will bring the trampoline down to the ground.

When Is Static Electricity Most Likely To Occur On A Trampoline?

Static electricity is likely to develop when the air is extremely dry (lacks humidity) as well as when you're in a trampoline with socks.

The air is likely to dry when it is in the desert areas, such as Arizona as well as Nevada. It is also most likely to dry during winter when there is less transpiration around.

You can help make more static electricity by creating friction between your body with the mat. This can be accomplished by rolling on the trampoline, and then skating your socks on the mat's surface.

Why Does Static Electricity On A Trampoline Hurt?

When static electricity builds up on your trampoline, eventually it will need to be released.

If you get in contact with the frame made of metal or another person The build-up of electric current inside you is able to jump in between the other object or person. The charge could be up to 50 Volts.

The voltage of electricity that is moving between two harms you both.

This happens because the electricity strikes the nerves in your body, including pain receptors. These are activated by electrical impulse, and your brain is able to sense the pain that comes by the nerves being stimulated.

How To Avoid Static Shock On A Trampoline?

The best method to avoid static shocks around your trampoline is by helping stop the accumulation of electric charge .

Here are some helpful tips to avoid static shocks while jumping on your trampoline.

I'll give them a rundown below to let you know all the strategies users have employed to achieve the same results. You can also try it out with yourself to determine which one is most suitable for your particular situation.

1. Bare Feet

Socks rub against the black polymesh mat of the trampoline cause an electric charge that builds up. If you take your socks off and rubbing them against the trampoline, you'll notice that the charge isn't accumulating.

If you notice that you're still battling build-up, consider using a moisturizer to make you feet feel less dry.

2. Shoes with leather soles for gymnastic trampolines

If you're unable to use the trampolining with your feet in bare feet like, say, when your kids or you are involved in gymnastics or cheerleading and you want to try leather shoes rather that rubber footwear. They block static charge better than socks.

3. Wear Cotton Clothes

Polyester and nylon, as well as wool are great conductors. Wool is actually a fantastic conductor due to all it's moisture that's locked within the fibers. This means that static charges will quickly build up when the clothing rubs with your skin, or on the trampoline mat.

The cotton, on its own is extremely neutral and generally won't take or give electrons. That means that cotton clothing are great to put on for trampolines since they can keep static charge out of the way.

4. Install A Water Mister

In dry conditions, static charge is generated more quickly. It is possible to experience "air that is so dry it's crackly'. This is due to the fact that water humidity in air acts as a conductor for static electricity. It will "ground" itself often. This helps prevent the build-up of charge in the air.

While this can be a problem in humid climates, like desert states, it could also be an issue in wintertime across several regions in the US.

In the event that you've got a water mister in or near the trampoline it can help to ground the static electricity that is in the air. 

5. Dryer sheets & Fabric Conditioner

Fabric conditioners and dryer sheets may help reduce static buildup however, they are also stronger against losing or getting electrons.

They both function by putting small amounts of fabric conditioner on the clothes you wash when you run your washing into the machine (fabric conditioners) or dryer (dryer sheets).

Dryer sheets can be placed over your clothing prior to getting on the trampoline.

6. Anti-Static Spray

Anti-static sprays are one of the types of chemicals used to spray the surface. The spray stops the accumulation in static electric charge on surfaces such as clothing and carpets. This stops dust from adhering to the surface, and also reduces the chance of being shocked.

It's a bit slippery, therefore I would not make use of it and the water mister at the same time.

7. Aluminum Foil

It is possible to create your own mini-earthing station. Join two aluminium sheets on the underneath of the mat. Attach a copper wire to both the foils and the ground. This effectively "grounds" the trampoline's mat.

You must ensure there is no copper wiring adjacent to the ladder made of metal on your trampoline and it shouldn't be in a place where other children or pets could easily rub against it.