shocks from mast?!

Originally posted by Jack Sparrow I just thought... my space is on top of, what look like two cesspit metal vent pipes. Presumably going down into a tank (metal?) The tie down points are metal chains in concrete and I'm only 60 feet from the pylon base. Could there be a circuit of sorts being set up here?

You're painting such a lovely image of you club, what with the electric shocks and sewage storage!

Originally posted by dave.blakesley Carbon conducts electricity, and around pylons there is certain amount of static electricity generated. When you pass the carbon inductor through the electric field a current will be induced, and since the mast is earthed (through either the tie down chains or the vents) that will allow the current to flow, and if you happen to be touching the mast at the time, then it will use you as the earth, seeing as you are a shorter route to the ground.

so that being so, would it effect the mast long term?

Originally posted by Jack Sparrow Originally posted by dave.blakesley Carbon conducts electricity, and around pylons there is certain amount of static electricity generated. When you pass the carbon inductor through the electric field a current will be induced, and since the mast is earthed (through either the tie down chains or the vents) that will allow the current to flow, and if you happen to be touching the mast at the time, then it will use you as the earth, seeing as you are a shorter route to the ground. so that being so, would it effect the mast long term?

I recall that you can get enough electromagnetic energy under a pylon to light a fluorescent strip light, so there's
certainly going to be a noticeable effect on something.

Personally I very much doubt it will affect the mast itself, but I'd be a bit concerned about it affecting you. You might
also find that it's inducing some nasty chemical reactions in the mast fittings. Find some way to earth the mast - a bit of
wire from a stake in the ground to a crocodile clip that you can put onto a shroud or something.

Speaking as a bona fide electrical engineer .....

There will be an electric field around the wires on the
pylons. Your mast will attain the same voltage as the
voltage in the field at the top of your mast.

Normally it will be OK as the boat will insulate the mast
from the ground (unless it's a metal boat!) and no
current will flow. BUT, when you touch it, especially
standing on the ground with (salty!!) wet feet, you
complete the circuit and current goes through you and the
mast.

I don't think earthing the mast is a great idea - there
might always be a (tiny) current flowing and, more to the
point, it will turn the mast into a lightening conductor
too.

Whatever your problem, it would be worse with an
aluminium mast, they conduct much better.

But don't worry about the mast, worry about you! Chances
are, the current is very small, cause as soon as you
touch the mast the voltage will collapse. But if it
hurts, it's not good.

Get a new parking space!!!

on a serious note, I would imagine Burghfield's club manager should be able to ask (aka force) the electricity company to check static around the base of the pylons is within safe limits on H&SE grounds and advise on whether or not certain/any boats can be stored there (if it is BSC, sounds like it)