REFLECTOR: Grounding Point

[Al Gietzen]

Subject: RE: REFLECTOR: Grounding Point

 

the fuel itself is non conductive, it is the charge that is stripped from

the surface of the flowing fuel that builds up on the surface of the skin

and metal parts that causes the problem, the metal chain in the fuel trick

is not effective, since there is not any way for the charge to pass to the

chain.

 

Alex;

Knowing how to deal with this issue would be easier if there was a
consistent understanding of what is happening.  Yes, the fuel in
non-conducting, as is the fiberglass skin. But the static charge does travel
on the surface of both.  If it didn't, there would be no possibility of a
discharge, and no problem.

 

My understanding (which I thought was consistent with the conclusions from
the last go around on this) is that a potential (static charge) builds
between the fuel surface and the nozzle because of the electrons being
stripped from the fuel by the surface of the hose and nozzle; creating the
possibility for a discharge from the fuel surface to the nozzle.  Metal
contact at the fuel surface (the chain) provides a conducting path to the
cap ring and, by contact, back to the nozzle/hose; thereby eliminating any
spark.

 

Or is my understanding flawed and oversimplified? Maybe there can be a
pre-existing potential difference between fuel truck/fuel pump and the
plane.  Maybe no one really knows what the problem is.  If they do, let me
know.

 

Al

 

 

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