Polyethylene plastic used in manufacturing gas pipe has many advantages over steel and other materials. However, one disadvantage is the problem of electro static build-up caused by gas flowing through the non-conductor that it is. During the normal flow of natural gas in PE pipe, electric charges are moving in the direction of the gas. When squeeze-off occurs, turbulence and gas velocity increase at the squeeze point. Because of the increase in velocity and turbulence, the charges become heavily concentrated at the squeeze point. As the charge increases in density on the inside wall surface, the force increases between the charges inside and the opposing charges on the outside of the pipe. When the force exceeds the dielectric strength of the pipe, the charges move through the pipe and leave a pin hole in the wall. If the squeeze tool is properly grounded, the discharge will move through the squeeze tool to the earth.

This phenomenon is called "Electro Static Discharge".