Strange reading from pH meter.

[Dr.Karl]

I just bought a pinpoint pH meter. Everything works fine and I calibrated it using the fluids. But heres something weird. When I'm tesing a sample I get a reading that is .5 lower when I set the box on the carpet. If I hold it or set it on any other surface the readings are normal. Just when it touches the carpet on my floor I get the strange reading. I can touch just one corner of the box to the floor and it happens. Static electricity maybe? :confused:

[catdoc]

I'm trying to calibrate mine too and I notice that the readings are different if the meter is vertical or horizontal. Is that typical?