We may feel these zaps if the discharge that occurs is over 3,000 Volts. Electrostatic discharges below that level are below the threshold of human sensation but are still lethal to electronics and associated semiconductor devices. Rapid electrostatic discharges above 6,000 Volts can be seen. One common misconception is that conductive materials do not generate charges. This is because the dissipation of static charges from grounded conductive material tends to be complete and rapid.
Ungrounded conductors can generate and hold static charges.
A material that inhibits the generation of static charges from triboelectric generation is classified as antistatic. Only conductive or dissipative antistatic materials should be used in ESD safe areas. Insulative materials are more commonly understood to generate and hold a static charge. Since they are insulators they do not allow the charge to move or distribute throughout the object. Grounding is not an effective method of neutralizing insulators.