How Does a Heel Grounder Work?

We’ve all experienced the sudden, uncomfortable jolt of a static shock, followed by the inadvertent yelp or maybe even profanity that comes out of our mouths as we quickly retract our hand from the surface we just touched. It’s not quite as bad as stepping on a Lego, but it’s still pretty bad, and I’m sure if anyone had the opportunity to avoid that sneaky shock for the remainder of their lifetime, they would gladly accept it. While there’s no way to avoid static shock 100 percent of the time in everyday life, if you frequently work in ESD areas, a heel grounder could save you and your equipment from harmful electronic transfer. GoKimco offers a product called the Desco 17200 Premium Foot Grounder that will protect the wearer from static shock build up. So, how do these simple devices work? When you experience that jolt of electricity, it is due to the built up static charge on your body jumping between you and the surface you’re touching. If you’re wearing the Desco 17200 foot grounders and making contact with an ESD floor, the electricity that would have built up static on your shoes and skin is then dissolved into the ground. This product is great for people whose projects require mobility such as soldering, kitting, and quality control, as the steps you take drain the static charges from your body. As mentioned briefly above, heel grounders are designed specifically for ESD surfaces and flooring. This is the only way to provide a continuous path for the static build up to escape directly through to the ground. With that being said, while we know that these rubber accessories are just to die for and deserve a spot on the list of latest fashion trends, wearing them out to your local grocery store or mall probably won’t prevent you from getting jolted. On the other hand, these adjustable grounders can save you from equipment damage. Over time, static transfer can cause partial or complete failure of sensitive devices. According to Erin Wade of Occupational Health and Safety, Electrostatic Discharge could be responsible for more than 25 percent of circuit failures. That’s a pretty big risk to take when you could easily slap on a pair of Desco heel grounders and cancel the static altogether. GoKimco offers this product at an inexpensive price to fit most shoe sizes comfortably for both men and women. You can find more information on the product here.