Nylon switch cover plate screws












3















Every time someone touches any of my light switches they get a static shock. I know the root cause is the humidity is too low, but until I fix that, I heard that nylon cover plate screws (vs the usual metal ones painted white) would help this problem (I guess the theory is that the screw is touching the box which is what the person is "discharging" through). So I was going to pick up some of these to test it out, but I couldn't find them in hardware stores or on Amazon. There must be a reason these are so hard to find - is there a reason not to use these? Or can anyone recommend where I can buy them?






electrical switch screws







share|improve this question

























  • When someone touches your light switches, you get a shock?! That's quite a trick.

    – J...
    4 hours ago











  • I read it that way, too. I want to see a video of that trick! It has to make someone go completely neurotic!

    – fred_dot_u
    2 hours ago
















3















Every time someone touches any of my light switches they get a static shock. I know the root cause is the humidity is too low, but until I fix that, I heard that nylon cover plate screws (vs the usual metal ones painted white) would help this problem (I guess the theory is that the screw is touching the box which is what the person is "discharging" through). So I was going to pick up some of these to test it out, but I couldn't find them in hardware stores or on Amazon. There must be a reason these are so hard to find - is there a reason not to use these? Or can anyone recommend where I can buy them?






electrical switch screws







share|improve this question

























  • When someone touches your light switches, you get a shock?! That's quite a trick.

    – J...
    4 hours ago











  • I read it that way, too. I want to see a video of that trick! It has to make someone go completely neurotic!

    – fred_dot_u
    2 hours ago














3












3








3


1






Every time someone touches any of my light switches they get a static shock. I know the root cause is the humidity is too low, but until I fix that, I heard that nylon cover plate screws (vs the usual metal ones painted white) would help this problem (I guess the theory is that the screw is touching the box which is what the person is "discharging" through). So I was going to pick up some of these to test it out, but I couldn't find them in hardware stores or on Amazon. There must be a reason these are so hard to find - is there a reason not to use these? Or can anyone recommend where I can buy them?






electrical switch screws







share|improve this question
















Every time someone touches any of my light switches they get a static shock. I know the root cause is the humidity is too low, but until I fix that, I heard that nylon cover plate screws (vs the usual metal ones painted white) would help this problem (I guess the theory is that the screw is touching the box which is what the person is "discharging" through). So I was going to pick up some of these to test it out, but I couldn't find them in hardware stores or on Amazon. There must be a reason these are so hard to find - is there a reason not to use these? Or can anyone recommend where I can buy them?






electrical switch screws




electrical switch screws






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 1 hour ago







David Doria

















asked 9 hours ago









David DoriaDavid Doria

23018




23018













  • When someone touches your light switches, you get a shock?! That's quite a trick.

    – J...
    4 hours ago











  • I read it that way, too. I want to see a video of that trick! It has to make someone go completely neurotic!

    – fred_dot_u
    2 hours ago



















  • When someone touches your light switches, you get a shock?! That's quite a trick.

    – J...
    4 hours ago











  • I read it that way, too. I want to see a video of that trick! It has to make someone go completely neurotic!

    – fred_dot_u
    2 hours ago

















When someone touches your light switches, you get a shock?! That's quite a trick.

– J...
4 hours ago





When someone touches your light switches, you get a shock?! That's quite a trick.

– J...
4 hours ago













I read it that way, too. I want to see a video of that trick! It has to make someone go completely neurotic!

– fred_dot_u
2 hours ago





I read it that way, too. I want to see a video of that trick! It has to make someone go completely neurotic!

– fred_dot_u
2 hours ago










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















2














A new trend is switch plates which snap on, and do not use cover plate screws at all. That is worth looking into.



Of course, none of that will solve the underlying static problem; you'll just get nailed instead by the next metal thing you touch. I would want a metal cover plate isolated by a 1 megaohm resistor to safety ground, because that would actually dissipate the charge.



And of course, make sure your safety ground and grounding electrode are tip-top to be sure you aren't actually getting bit by mains current. That is somewhat different in sensation, and also does not disappear in high humidity.






share|improve this answer































    0














    Shopping is off-topic, but...



    Kyle Switch Plates



    Easy to find if you use "plastic" instead of "nylon" in your Googleing: plastic switch plate screws






    share|improve this answer
























    • I did find a few here and there on very specialized websites, I guess I was more wondering why these are not a standard thing that you just get at a big box store near the light switches? Like do people not use these for some reason? And I guess I'm also wondering if anyone can confirm that they actually "fix" this problem?

      – David Doria
      1 hour ago











    • People who have this problem a lot will often go with more comprehensive solutions - e.g., humidifier installed as part of the furnace.

      – manassehkatz
      1 hour ago











    • Also keep in mind that light switches are not the only grounded item in most homes. Exposed metal on appliances, light fixtures, faucets (almost by definition since the copper pipes have (historically) been part of the grounding system, though not so much now because of plastic in so many places), etc. So nothing wrong with plastic screws for the switch plates, but that isn't going to totally eliminate the problem.

      – manassehkatz
      43 mins ago











    Your Answer








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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes








    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    2














    A new trend is switch plates which snap on, and do not use cover plate screws at all. That is worth looking into.



    Of course, none of that will solve the underlying static problem; you'll just get nailed instead by the next metal thing you touch. I would want a metal cover plate isolated by a 1 megaohm resistor to safety ground, because that would actually dissipate the charge.



    And of course, make sure your safety ground and grounding electrode are tip-top to be sure you aren't actually getting bit by mains current. That is somewhat different in sensation, and also does not disappear in high humidity.






    share|improve this answer




























      2














      A new trend is switch plates which snap on, and do not use cover plate screws at all. That is worth looking into.



      Of course, none of that will solve the underlying static problem; you'll just get nailed instead by the next metal thing you touch. I would want a metal cover plate isolated by a 1 megaohm resistor to safety ground, because that would actually dissipate the charge.



      And of course, make sure your safety ground and grounding electrode are tip-top to be sure you aren't actually getting bit by mains current. That is somewhat different in sensation, and also does not disappear in high humidity.






      share|improve this answer


























        2












        2








        2







        A new trend is switch plates which snap on, and do not use cover plate screws at all. That is worth looking into.



        Of course, none of that will solve the underlying static problem; you'll just get nailed instead by the next metal thing you touch. I would want a metal cover plate isolated by a 1 megaohm resistor to safety ground, because that would actually dissipate the charge.



        And of course, make sure your safety ground and grounding electrode are tip-top to be sure you aren't actually getting bit by mains current. That is somewhat different in sensation, and also does not disappear in high humidity.






        share|improve this answer













        A new trend is switch plates which snap on, and do not use cover plate screws at all. That is worth looking into.



        Of course, none of that will solve the underlying static problem; you'll just get nailed instead by the next metal thing you touch. I would want a metal cover plate isolated by a 1 megaohm resistor to safety ground, because that would actually dissipate the charge.



        And of course, make sure your safety ground and grounding electrode are tip-top to be sure you aren't actually getting bit by mains current. That is somewhat different in sensation, and also does not disappear in high humidity.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 9 hours ago









        HarperHarper

        73k448148




        73k448148

























            0














            Shopping is off-topic, but...



            Kyle Switch Plates



            Easy to find if you use "plastic" instead of "nylon" in your Googleing: plastic switch plate screws






            share|improve this answer
























            • I did find a few here and there on very specialized websites, I guess I was more wondering why these are not a standard thing that you just get at a big box store near the light switches? Like do people not use these for some reason? And I guess I'm also wondering if anyone can confirm that they actually "fix" this problem?

              – David Doria
              1 hour ago











            • People who have this problem a lot will often go with more comprehensive solutions - e.g., humidifier installed as part of the furnace.

              – manassehkatz
              1 hour ago











            • Also keep in mind that light switches are not the only grounded item in most homes. Exposed metal on appliances, light fixtures, faucets (almost by definition since the copper pipes have (historically) been part of the grounding system, though not so much now because of plastic in so many places), etc. So nothing wrong with plastic screws for the switch plates, but that isn't going to totally eliminate the problem.

              – manassehkatz
              43 mins ago
















            0














            Shopping is off-topic, but...



            Kyle Switch Plates



            Easy to find if you use "plastic" instead of "nylon" in your Googleing: plastic switch plate screws






            share|improve this answer
























            • I did find a few here and there on very specialized websites, I guess I was more wondering why these are not a standard thing that you just get at a big box store near the light switches? Like do people not use these for some reason? And I guess I'm also wondering if anyone can confirm that they actually "fix" this problem?

              – David Doria
              1 hour ago











            • People who have this problem a lot will often go with more comprehensive solutions - e.g., humidifier installed as part of the furnace.

              – manassehkatz
              1 hour ago











            • Also keep in mind that light switches are not the only grounded item in most homes. Exposed metal on appliances, light fixtures, faucets (almost by definition since the copper pipes have (historically) been part of the grounding system, though not so much now because of plastic in so many places), etc. So nothing wrong with plastic screws for the switch plates, but that isn't going to totally eliminate the problem.

              – manassehkatz
              43 mins ago














            0












            0








            0







            Shopping is off-topic, but...



            Kyle Switch Plates



            Easy to find if you use "plastic" instead of "nylon" in your Googleing: plastic switch plate screws






            share|improve this answer













            Shopping is off-topic, but...



            Kyle Switch Plates



            Easy to find if you use "plastic" instead of "nylon" in your Googleing: plastic switch plate screws







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 9 hours ago









            manassehkatzmanassehkatz

            9,3601336




            9,3601336













            • I did find a few here and there on very specialized websites, I guess I was more wondering why these are not a standard thing that you just get at a big box store near the light switches? Like do people not use these for some reason? And I guess I'm also wondering if anyone can confirm that they actually "fix" this problem?

              – David Doria
              1 hour ago











            • People who have this problem a lot will often go with more comprehensive solutions - e.g., humidifier installed as part of the furnace.

              – manassehkatz
              1 hour ago











            • Also keep in mind that light switches are not the only grounded item in most homes. Exposed metal on appliances, light fixtures, faucets (almost by definition since the copper pipes have (historically) been part of the grounding system, though not so much now because of plastic in so many places), etc. So nothing wrong with plastic screws for the switch plates, but that isn't going to totally eliminate the problem.

              – manassehkatz
              43 mins ago



















            • I did find a few here and there on very specialized websites, I guess I was more wondering why these are not a standard thing that you just get at a big box store near the light switches? Like do people not use these for some reason? And I guess I'm also wondering if anyone can confirm that they actually "fix" this problem?

              – David Doria
              1 hour ago











            • People who have this problem a lot will often go with more comprehensive solutions - e.g., humidifier installed as part of the furnace.

              – manassehkatz
              1 hour ago











            • Also keep in mind that light switches are not the only grounded item in most homes. Exposed metal on appliances, light fixtures, faucets (almost by definition since the copper pipes have (historically) been part of the grounding system, though not so much now because of plastic in so many places), etc. So nothing wrong with plastic screws for the switch plates, but that isn't going to totally eliminate the problem.

              – manassehkatz
              43 mins ago

















            I did find a few here and there on very specialized websites, I guess I was more wondering why these are not a standard thing that you just get at a big box store near the light switches? Like do people not use these for some reason? And I guess I'm also wondering if anyone can confirm that they actually "fix" this problem?

            – David Doria
            1 hour ago





            I did find a few here and there on very specialized websites, I guess I was more wondering why these are not a standard thing that you just get at a big box store near the light switches? Like do people not use these for some reason? And I guess I'm also wondering if anyone can confirm that they actually "fix" this problem?

            – David Doria
            1 hour ago













            People who have this problem a lot will often go with more comprehensive solutions - e.g., humidifier installed as part of the furnace.

            – manassehkatz
            1 hour ago





            People who have this problem a lot will often go with more comprehensive solutions - e.g., humidifier installed as part of the furnace.

            – manassehkatz
            1 hour ago













            Also keep in mind that light switches are not the only grounded item in most homes. Exposed metal on appliances, light fixtures, faucets (almost by definition since the copper pipes have (historically) been part of the grounding system, though not so much now because of plastic in so many places), etc. So nothing wrong with plastic screws for the switch plates, but that isn't going to totally eliminate the problem.

            – manassehkatz
            43 mins ago





            Also keep in mind that light switches are not the only grounded item in most homes. Exposed metal on appliances, light fixtures, faucets (almost by definition since the copper pipes have (historically) been part of the grounding system, though not so much now because of plastic in so many places), etc. So nothing wrong with plastic screws for the switch plates, but that isn't going to totally eliminate the problem.

            – manassehkatz
            43 mins ago


















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