Good day all,
In the land of Minnesota humidity can be a problem while reloading. The high humidity issue is pretty well documented, but I am wondering if anyone has seen guidelines on the low end of humidity. In one of my former lives I designed data centers for IBM and Mayo Clinic. I know that humidity under 20% can often cause stray voltage and electrical shorts/shocks. However, I am not certain if this is a risk to gunpowder. Given my home has had ~15% humidity lately and I can get a shock when I pet my cat, I have put reloading on hold until we have more moisture in the air.
Just curious if anyone else has advice/experience in low humidity environments for reloading. Yes, I have a humidifier.... but when the temps are constantly -15 or worse, the humidifier just hasn't been able to keep up.
Looking to learn from you all....
Alligator clip+copper wire+grounding stake.
Or alternatively: Attach wire to screw on electrical outlet.
Attach alligator clip to clothes.
If you're loading Black Powder you would want to be concerned. Smokeless Powders are not that sensitive to static electricity.
like Douglas said smokeless powder is not very sensitive to static, use a wooden bench and problem solved.
Quote from: douglas34474 on February 16, 2014, 11:25:12 AM
If you're loading Black Powder you would want to be concerned. Smokeless Powders are not that sensitive to static electricity.
That is generally correct.
While I'm not saying a problem can't happen, I've yet to have seen or heard of one happening. And, I've got well over average exposure to reloading, as have others.
If you are still concerned with it, then grounding can be one way to solve that. A wooden bench should work too, and most of us already have that.
I appreciate the thoughts! I am already on a wooden bench, so I should be ok.
Thanks!
Quote from: douglas34474 on February 16, 2014, 11:25:12 AM
If you're loading Black Powder you would want to be concerned. Smokeless Powders are not that sensitive to static electricity.
Commercial black powder is not sensitive to static electricity mostly due to the coatings to fight hydroscopic issues and dust generation. I've loaded thousands of black powder 38-55 and 32-20 rounds through a RCBS Uniflow without problems.
http://www.ctmuzzleloaders.com/ctml_experiments/sparks/sparks.html
Unique is far more likely to take a charge and stick to everything in the room. I like old dryer sheets to fight SE, since I load lots of Unique. I wipe the inside of the measure hopper now and then with them. An old Yooper taught me that trick.
YHJ
Greetings,
I know it is an old topic but here is my take:
I did the test with a battery, a small pile of powder (black and smokeless) and 2 wires. As much as I tried to with plenty of sparks, NONE detonated (more burn) in my face and I am still the same good looking guy I was. To make the powder burn, I had to touch it with flame.
(Seriously, gasoline is countless times more dangerous because of the very high flammability of the vapours. each time I fill up one of my tool with gasoline, I am a little bit worried. It is why I never fill up when the engine is hot. Why am I worried? My dad was blown away by a gasoline explosion..but it is another story.)
Thank you