[FL-Flinter]

Shortwave,

Black powder is not as sensitive to static electric discharge than most folks would have you think it is. BP is coated with graphite after it's ground to keep it from lumping and so it flows better. Since graphite is an extremely good conductor, current flow from static discharge is carried by the graphite layer and flows safely around the granules. I know several others have tried lighting BP off with simulated static from various power sources, one used neon lamp ballasts, I used ignition coils myself and tried it up to 55Kv ( more than six times the voltage you'll pick-up from carpet or a piece of furniture). The only way I was able to obtain ignition was by allowing the powder to come in contact with the heated electrode which had nothing to do with the electrical current other than that's what made the steel electrode hot enough to light the powder.