Gate Access Files

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What about shocks when I am in my car? 

While sitting in the car, electrostatic charges are generated on the car seat and the person's body, due to contact and movement between the clothes and the seat. When the person leaves the seat, they take half of this charge with them. As they get out of the vehicle, their body voltages rises due to this charge - a voltage of 10,000 Volts is not unusual.

When they reach to touch the call box, the electrostatic discharge and shock occurs as their hand approaches the metal exterior or near the keys.

The voltage build-up shock can often be avoided by holding onto a metal key or coin, touch the call box before you key in the numbers then the static electricity is dissipated. You can touch a key or coin to the call box exterior since it is grounded and discharge any built up static electricity. This provides a return dissipation path for the charge on your body.

If you have forgotten to hold the metal key or coin to the call box, a shock may be felt just before you touch the call box. The key or coin should be conductive enough to dissipate charge, while preventing the rapid discharge of static electricity which is felt as a shock.