Computers and Carpet

[confus-ed]

Well, I didn't follow the whole "grudge" thing too well, but I thank everyone who replied on this thread. General Concenses (which is likely mispelled) seems to be that there is no danger to computers just sitting and running on carpet, but (to as always), ground yourself when working with components as well as touch as little circuitry as possible.

Synthetic carpets make static ... & computers & static don't mix ! period ... I just made a contractor pull up 200 yards of carpeting because of that, it was specifically detailed in the project plans to be 'natural', but the so called 'pro's' on site didn't seem to acknowlege this 'danger' either also dismissing it as 'an old wives tale' - they can't though get the certification from their Insururers until its replaced, as to quote their letter "Synthetic carpeting substantially increases the chances of accidental Electro Static Discharge in the the server areas over the stipulated 'natural' floorcoverings, we look forward etc etc etc"

I follow the 'whole' grudge thing though unfortunately ...

Oh & an edit on the subject of 'potentiality' (if I can spell that ! )

Not being an electrical engineer it seems to me that the problem with static electricity is the difference in potential. You walk across a room and touch something with a different ground potential and that's why you (and it) get shocked. If the PC chassis is touching the carpet it should be at the same potential as the carpet so there should be no difference in potential there. Or so my high school science seems to remind me.

Errr but of course computers generally live on little iddy biddy rubber feet - so they aren't touching the carpet 'really' , carpet also isn't flat & even (for our 'equally charged' arguement to work) & you aren't stood on the carpet either - you are stood on your shoes & socks which might be synthetic too giving you more 'charge' than anything around you, corners 'sticky out bits' etc also concentrate static discharges & people sweat also increasing their 'potentiality' ... all reasons why I get about 20 shocks a day