What is the main purpose of the static dischargers on an airliner wing ?

Question

What is the main purpose of the static dischargers on an airliner wing ?

Answer 1

To discharge static.

Answer 2

To disapate lightning charges in flight. Better the discharges get hit than the actual wing.

Answer 3

They do exactly what it says on the tin.

During flight, static charges build up due to friction/moving parts etc. If this energy was to build up enough it would begin to arc/spark across joins/pipes/cables. Naked sparking on a machine carrying thousands of tonnes of fuel is not a good thing! A spark in or near a fuel tank could cause an explosion. The static dischargers are positioned on the trailing edges as the static electricity tends to build up on the sharp edges. The dischargers (known as wicks) have a low resistance level, creating a path that the electrical charge will flow down and then "leak" from the aircraft, sort of like a drainpipe for electrons.

Answer 4

They control static electricity which interferes with radio and navigation systems.

Answer 5

their main purpose is to dissipate static electricty into the surrounding air so it doesnt interfere with radio or instruments.

Answer 6

It's mostly to discharge lightning strikes. Static could still build up and can form what is called St. Elmo's fire.  Static can interfere with radio in spite of the static dischargers, especially during precipitation.

Answer 7

to keep large voltage flareups  from igniting the fuel onboard, and to prevent electrocutions , or causing other electrical and dangerous control surface motors. hydrolic systems pumps from being zapped

Answer 8

You answer your own question.

Answer 9

So the plane doesn't explode during fueling.==DUMB

Just like the name implies...to discharge static and if the plane is hit by lightning do dissipate that too.

Answer 10

To discharge Static electricty created during flight.

Answer 11

Andy B - have you ever mixed a spark with aviation fuel before? IT GOES BANG you fool

As planes fly the movement of air over the wing can cause a build up of static electricity, normally when this happens to things on the ground that isn't a problem, it just disipates into the ground, but in the air it doesn't (obvious? you'd be surprised at the number of people who dont realise) However even when it does land it still cant disipate into the ground as the plane is on rubber tires, which dont conduct electricity, again obvious. So once the plane has landed, the ground crew go to refuel - high possibility of spark as the built up charge can flow down the fuel line. So a ground cable is attached first to drain the charge and make it safe to refuel.

I dont know about the interfering with the radio equip but I've never heard of that before, but i dont see how i would as otherwise by the time a flight had gone say - UK to Australia the static charge would immense, and the interference would make it near impossible to hear the radio, unless it would take that amount before you could notice it, i dunno I've not heard that one before, though i doubt your right

Answer 12

So the plane doesn't explode during fueling.