Electrostatic Characteristics of Thermal-protective Garments at Low Humidity

The electrostatic discharge between a clothed human body and the ground has been investigated under conditions of low atmospheric humidities. Measurements were carried out during two experiments which generated electrostatic charge from two different types of human activity. Subjects wore layered garment systems consisting of several combinations of different thermal-protective fabrics. Discharge-current waveforms and other discharge parameters were determined for each fabric system, and differences among systems were analyzed. Maximum discharge energies of up to 15mJ and peak potentials of up to 13kV were observed. The outer garment in a garment system had the greatest influence on discharge parameters, but inner garments also had an effect. Outer garments containing antistatic fibers generated the lowest values.