Descriptions of static eliminators, their use, static eliminator manufacturers, and types of static eliminators
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Static eliminators are devices designed to discharge a field of positive or negative ions that neutralize static electricity present in various equipment, products, and other devices, thereby preventing potential issues during production and manufacturing processes. Positively and negatively charged materials repel similar charges but will attract materials with opposite charges. In industrial settings, foreign particles such as dust, dirt, debris, and contaminants are drawn to charged surfaces, tainting coated surfaces, products, and machinery.
Static electricity is generated through friction, pressure, or the detachment of materials, particularly when a non-conductive material is involved. This phenomenon is known as the triboelectric effect, where tribo denotes rubbing. The static charge intensity is quantified in coulombs, which is the measurement of electric charge equal to the electricity amount carried by one ampere of current in one second.
Materials utilized to manage static charges are categorized as conductive, dissipative, or insulative. Conductive materials facilitate the free movement of static charges across surfaces. Dissipative materials decelerate static charges, forcing a slower progression, whereas insulative materials isolate static charges, deterring movement. Among these, dissipative materials exhibit the highest resistance against current flow without insulation, making them ideal for industrial static management.
The EOS/ESD Association is a non-profit body focused on electrostatic energy and has set standards sanctioned by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The association defines antistatic materials as those inhibiting static charge generation due to triboelectric activity.
Static electricity originates from electrostatic overstress (EOS) and electrostatic discharge (ESD), each with distinct causes. EOS results from electronic components being exposed to intense static charges that surpass their design limits, leading to failure. In contrast, ESD arises when objects of differing electrostatic potential are close enough to transfer a charge, potentially causing damage if the discharge is powerful.
Static electricity can lead to several complications, like materials adhering to each other, sheets repelling one another, and decreased production efficiency due to increased rejection rates. The presence of static charges diminishes product quality and disrupts operational productivity.
The remedy for static electricity challenges is static eliminators, which are available as either active or passive devices. Active static eliminators, which are powered by AC or DC current, release positive or negative ions to nullify static charges. They are available in many sizes, configurations, and power capacities, allowing selection tailored to specific applications.
Passive antistatic devices, which do not rely on external power, are activated by the static field present on a material's surface. They are cost-effective, easy to install, and efficiently reduce static fields to 2000 V. Examples of passive antistatic devices include brushes, tinsel, and cords.
Static electricity poses significant challenges to production and manufacturing processes, particularly during cold weather, low humidity, and dry air conditions. Accumulated static charges can disrupt operations, degrade product quality, and jeopardize worker safety. In industries such as printing, electronics manufacturing, plastics, textiles, packaging, paper converting, and the application of powder coatings, the need to eliminate static electricity is crucial to prevent defects, misfeeds, and electrostatic discharge (ESD)-related damage. Precise static control measures are especially vital in processes that use isolated or non-conductive materials susceptible to static buildup.
Unlike traditional electric current, static electricity has been less studied due to the complexity of accurately measuring electrostatic charges and analyzing their behavior. The four primary concerns associated with static electricity in industrial environments are static discharge in electronics, electrostatic attraction and repulsion, fire hazards, and electric shock (ESD). These risks underscore the importance of implementing robust static control strategies, such as investing in static eliminators and ESD protection equipment. Effective static neutralizers mitigate the threat, protecting sensitive electronics, improving process reliability, and extending equipment lifespan.
For reliable static removal in manufacturing, active static eliminators deploy advanced high voltage ionization technology to produce balanced streams of positive and negative ions. This active process neutralizes electrostatic charges on surfaces, preventing dust attraction or material defects. While passive anti-static brushes, pin arrays, anti-static tinsel, and ionizing cords historically served as early solutions for static dissipation, modern active static eliminators deliver superior performance, precision, and adaptability to evolving industry requirements.
Anti-static bars, also known as ionizing bars or static elimination bars, generate a powerful electrical field that ionizes surrounding air molecules, splitting them into positive and negative ions. When charged materials pass by the bar, the static field attracts ions until the surface charge is neutralized, effectively reducing static cling and minimizing the risk of ESD. Anti-static bars are available in various lengths, typically ranging from 20 cm (8 in) to 5 m (16 ft), allowing for seamless integration into production lines and equipment.
The use of compressed air with anti-static bars further expands the ionization area, making them highly efficient for operating in large-scale web handling, plastic film manufacturing, laminating, printing presses, and packaging lines. Anti-static bars can be installed above workbenches, conveyors, or across processing machinery to optimize ion balance and ensure 360-degree coverage, reducing downtime caused by static-related machine stoppages.
An anti-static gun, commonly referred to as an ionizing gun or static control gun, utilizes a piezoelectric crystal to generate powerful, targeted bursts of positive and negative ions. Pulling the trigger releases a stream of positive ions, while releasing the trigger emits negative ions—these balanced charges neutralize static on non-conductive surfaces such as plastics, glass, ceramics, films, lenses, and microscope slides. Ionizing guns provide precise, manual static charge removal for operators working with sensitive electronic components or during assembly, repair, inspection, and packaging tasks.
Advanced anti-static guns feature AC or DC power supply options, enhanced by ergonomic designs, built-in laser pointers for accuracy, and plug-in convenience. Industries such as electronics assembly, optoelectronics, semiconductor testing, and medical device manufacturing rely on anti-static ionizing guns to prevent ESD events and maintain controlled electrostatic environments.
Anti-static nozzles deliver ionized air to confined and hard-to-reach locations, making them ideal for precision static removal in equipment with complex geometries or sensitive components. These compact, mountable nozzles employ compressed air to deliver high-velocity ionized streams that clean surfaces, neutralize static charges, and prevent the re-attachment of dust, particles, and other contaminants. Common applications include cleaning circuit boards, conveyor belts, rollers, tubes, and machinery interiors across electronics, plastics, and packaging industries.
With interchangeable nozzle tips and flexible shapes—including square, rectangular, and round configurations—anti-static nozzles can be customized for targeted static neutralization or broad coverage. Flexible neck designs enable pinpoint accuracy for benchtop applications, supporting safe ESD control in electronics manufacturing, cleanrooms, and laboratory environments. Anti-static nozzles are designed for easy installation, replacement, and on-the-fly adjustment, making them a versatile solution for ESD-sensitive processes.
Anti-static blowers, often called ionizing blowers or static eliminator fans, are engineered to neutralize static over broad work areas. These devices produce large volumes of ionized air, making them suitable for open workstations, assembly lines, and packaging stations where effective, area-wide static control is required. The high-output airflow rapidly neutralizes Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) and protects both electronic components and operators from static hazards.
Regular performance validation of ionizing blowers is achieved with electrostatic field meters, ensuring consistent static neutralization and optimal static control. Anti-static blowers enable operational efficiency, minimize ESD risk, and maintain dust-free environments in sectors such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, printing, and OEM manufacturing.
Anti-static fans are a cost-effective solution for targeted ESD mitigation, providing mobile and portable ionization suitable for delicate electronics, printed circuit board (PCB) assembly, and testing facilities. Designed to emit positive and negative ions across adjustable airflow patterns, anti-static fans prevent electrostatic attraction, misalignment, and dust adhesion on intricate parts and sensitive materials.
Unlike industrial anti-static blowers that cover larger areas, anti-static fans prioritize precision and are equipped with real-time ionization level indicators. Their portability and economical cost make them a preferred choice for electronics workstations, R&D labs, or small-batch manufacturing where static control and flexibility are priorities.
An anti-static air knife, when used in conjunction with an ionizing bar, generates a high-velocity, laminar sheet of ionized air, amplifying air output up to 25:1. This precise airflow neutralizes stubborn static charges, effectively dislodging dust, fibers, and other contaminants from surfaces in one pass. Air knives are constructed with precision linear slots, which direct the ionized air curtain at moving web, sheet stock, or flat surfaces, ensuring both static control and debris removal.
Air knives find extensive use in plastic extrusion, web converting, bottle manufacturing, packaging lines, and parts cleaning operations where tearing, jamming, and ESD must be prevented. Their compact, maintenance-free design and ability to deliver clean, dry, oil-free air make them indispensable in automated environments demanding continual cleanliness and ESD protection.
The combination of air knife and anti-static bar technology ensures product surfaces remain free of static-related imperfections, minimizing contamination and optimizing the quality of finished goods in high-throughput production facilities.
Inline static eliminators are specialized for pneumatic and vacuum tube conveying systems frequently found in plastics, food processing, grain, and bulk material handling industries. These units are installed directly into conveying pipelines to neutralize static-induced clogs and material blockages, enhancing process flow and equipment uptime. By matching the tube diameter and deploying a series of compact anti-static bars along the tube’s length and walls, inline static eliminators deliver precise, continuous static neutralization tailored to the transport system’s specifications.
Micro static eliminators are ultra-miniature ionizing devices, engineered for integration into constrained or device-embedded spaces. Despite their compact footprint, these advanced eliminators offer functions such as static charge level monitoring, ion balance display, and integrated ESD alarms. They excel at spot treatments for part feeders, bonding machines, pharmaceutical tablet lines, injection molding, and precision metal molding where space and control are critical. By ensuring consistent electrostatic charge neutralization at key process points, micro static eliminators boost yield, prevent product sticking, and ensure compliance with ESD safety standards.
The desktop duster box is a compact, enclosed static eliminator designed for efficient dust removal and ESD neutralization of small to medium-sized, sensitive electronic and semiconductor components. Once parts are detected via photoelectric sensors, the system automatically commences static discharge and particle removal processes, followed by a controlled airflow to finalize cleaning. This automated device ensures precise contamination control, helping manufacturers reduce ESD-related failures, yield losses, and maintenance costs.
Desktop duster boxes are widely utilized in cleanrooms, PCB assembly lines, and optical device production, with available sizes and features tailored to varying part dimensions and throughput requirements. As a key component in cleanroom and ESD control strategies, these duster boxes help organizations protect investment in high-value, static-sensitive products.
Ceiling emitters, a pivotal ESD control solution in critical cleanroom environments, consist of long ionizing rods or bars suspended in series above the workspace. These emitters use pulsed DC high-voltage technology to uniformly generate and distribute ionized air clouds, ensuring balanced static neutralization across large, open spaces. With integrated alarms and remote monitoring capabilities, ceiling emitters support strict Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protocols for sensitive electronics, semiconductor fabrication, aerospace, and biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
By controlling both electrostatic charge and particulate contamination, ceiling-mounted emitters uphold stringent cleanliness standards without disrupting laminar air flow or interfering with facility aesthetics. Approved for use in ISO Class 1 and other high-spec cleanrooms, ceiling emitters play a vital role in maintaining regulatory compliance, protecting critical components, and supporting high-yield production environments.
Both AC and DC static eliminators harness high-voltage ionization to neutralize surface static charges, but their operational ranges and performance characteristics differ. AC static eliminators, favored for near-field applications (typically from 20 mm up to 100 mm / 0.79 in to 3.9 in), are ideal for benchtop setups, conveyors, and closely spaced electronics. DC static eliminators, by contrast, excel in complex environments and can deliver ionization over much greater distances (up to 1000 mm / 3.28 ft), making them suitable for large equipment, roll-to-roll processes, and web applications.
While AC models are popular for rapid static decay and simple maintenance, DC units offer enhanced control, longer ion travel distances, and adaptability for custom industrial processes. Understanding the range, technology, and mounting requirements is essential when selecting the best static eliminator system for your facility.
The ten active static eliminators described above illustrate the broad spectrum of static control solutions engineered to meet diverse industrial requirements. By collaborating with reputable static eliminator manufacturers, facility managers and engineers can evaluate application-specific factors—such as product type, process speed, area coverage, and compliance needs—to select the most effective static eliminator system. Manufacturers’ expertise in ESD standards, ionization technology, and application engineering ensures a precise product match and long-term return on investment. Implementing proven static elimination and ESD protection strategies enhances operational reliability, product quality, and safety across electronics, plastics, packaging, printing, and many other sectors reliant on static-sensitive processes.
Passive static eliminators are essential devices for neutralizing static electricity in industrial, electronics, and manufacturing settings. Unlike active static eliminators, which use electricity to generate positive and negative ions, passive static eliminators function on the principle of induction. They self-energize by drawing energy from the existing static field that builds up on the surfaces of materials. The primary types of passive static eliminators—tinsel, string, brushes, and sprays—effectively offer electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, surface resistivity control, and static charge mitigation. Passive static eliminators are popular for their low cost, easy installation, and straightforward maintenance and replacement, making them ideal for static control across numerous applications, such as printing, converting, and packaging lines.
Although passive static eliminators are commonly grouped into four main categories, each group includes a wide variety of forms designed for specific anti-static functions. Manufacturers produce a range of types, sizes, shapes, and configurations to address the unique static control needs of various industries. However, these static elimination solutions also have limitations—such as less effectiveness in high-static or rapid-moving environments—which must be evaluated before selection. Nevertheless, under suitable conditions, passive static eliminators represent the perfect choice for ESD prevention, especially where a simple, maintenance-free option is preferred for draining unwanted static charge from non-conductive materials.
Passive static eliminators significantly reduce operational downtime by preventing machine jams, minimizing product contamination, and helping to control human-based static discharge in sensitive environments. While they may not completely neutralize extremely high static charges, they are excellent for reducing residual static to safe levels prior to the use of active ionizing bars or other electronic static eliminators. This staged approach improves the overall efficiency of comprehensive static control systems.
The effectiveness of static removal with anti-static brushes lies in their structure and the use of conductive, dissipative, or neutral filaments. High-quality anti-static brushes deliver precise static discharge control, making them crucial tools in electronics assembly, circuit board production, precision cleaning, and ESD-safe areas. The fibers of an anti-static brush are specifically selected and evaluated for properties such as volume resistivity, surface resistivity, static decay rate, and dielectric strength—key parameters for electrostatic hazards management.
Similar to ESD paper, electrostatic brushes can be designed to be antistatic, conductive, static dissipative, or insulative. The optimal choice depends on the end-use application—whether for safe ESD cleaning, soldering, or handling of static-sensitive devices. Conductive brushes swiftly transfer static charges to ground, while dissipative brushes release excess electricity at controlled rates to prevent sudden discharge events.
Brush materials are carefully chosen for their resistance to static generation, often using natural filaments for high-reliability ESD control. In addition to natural bristles, specialty materials such as brass, stainless steel, conductive nylon, and carbon fiber are utilized for their antistatic and static dissipative properties. Selection depends on the specific requirements, including whether the application demands precision cleaning, non-scratching contact, or chemical resistance.
Anti-static brushes are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and configurations—from large panel brushes for conveyor lines to small, precision-tip brushes for circuit board cleaning. Variations include different filament lengths, handle designs, brush widths, and bristle stiffness. Both standard and custom ESD brushes ensure optimal performance in specialized applications, such as dust removal from sensitive optics or static control in semiconductor manufacturing.
Anti-static tinsel is constructed primarily of multi-strand copper wire cores for exceptional conductive grounding and mechanical durability. Its 32 mm (1.25 in) diameter enables effective dissipation of static charges from surfaces as the copper filaments concentrate and channel the electric field directly to ground. For maximum efficiency and compliance with ESD protection standards, anti-static tinsel must be securely connected to earth ground. It excels in environments where non-contact neutralization of moving materials is required—such as fast-moving webs, conveyor belts, and film processing equipment—reducing the risk of static sparks and dust attraction.
Anti-static string is a highly durable ionizing cord embedded with conductive microfibers, engineered to induce static charge ionization and provide a safe electrical path to earth ground. This solution offers a long-lasting, corrosion-resistant alternative to copper tinsel, making it highly suitable for high-speed, high-static applications in the paper, plastic film, and printing industries. Typical use cases include static control on web handling machines, converting equipment, and packaging lines, where consistent static dissipation is critical to prevent product adhesion, equipment jams, and ESD events.
As with anti-static tinsel, proper positioning is essential. Anti-static string should be draped slightly above or under, but never in direct contact with, the target material. Its inexpensive, oxidation-resistant construction delivers effective static charge neutralization for non-conductive surfaces, protecting critical products, minimizing reject rates, and improving production output. To ensure compliance with ESD safety standards, grounding anti-static string to a bare metal surface is mandatory during use.
Anti-static spray offers a convenient, fast-acting solution for neutralizing static electricity on a range of surfaces. Its formulation—typically a blend of filtered water and alcohol with positive and negative ions—prevents static build-up, reducing static cling, and prevents dust and debris accumulation. Anti-static sprays are widely utilized for material handling in offices, manufacturing, and cleanroom environments. They effectively eliminate static on paper, films, laminates, packaging materials, and even sensitive electronics—making them a crucial part of every static control toolkit.
The main appeal of anti-static spray lies in its versatility and ease of application. Maintenance professionals and copier technicians rely on it to resolve paper jams caused by static accumulation. Facilities managers use anti-static spray to prevent static build-up on folders, joggers, fax machines, and office equipment. This ESD spray also protects optics, disc drives, photographic components, lenses, and metal rollers from harmful ESD events. Its quick-drying, residue-free formula is ideal for rapid, repeat applications on plastics, fibers, fabrics, or any static-sensitive material within an electrostatic protected area (EPA), including cleanrooms and laboratories where strict ESD compliance is required.
Proper usage is critical—anti-static spray should always be applied as a light mist, never as a heavy layer, especially on absorbent materials like cloth or paper. Manufacturers offer anti-static sprays in a variety of packaging sizes, frequently as part of comprehensive ESD field service kits that also include static control gloves, static shielding bags, anti-static brushes, and ionizing bars or blowers. These bundled static control solutions provide end-to-end ESD protection for technicians working on electronics assembly or repair.
While passive static eliminators have the benefit of requiring no power to operate, close contact with the conductive or dissipative material is often needed for optimal neutralization. This requirement may not be suitable for extremely delicate surfaces or materials sensitive to physical contact, such as thin films or fragile electronics. Additionally, passive static eliminators can collect dust or debris, which could potentially transfer to the protected product. Their effectiveness diminishes when dealing with objects of varying sizes, irregular surfaces, or complex geometries, where a combination of passive and active static control measures may be necessary for full ESD protection.
Electrostatic dissipative (ESD) paper is an engineered antistatic material specifically designed to reduce the risk of uncontrolled static discharge. By providing a controlled path for static electricity to safely dissipate to ground, ESD paper protects ESD-sensitive devices (ESDS), such as printed circuit boards (PCBs), semiconductors, and integrated circuits (ICs), during handling, storage, and transport. ESD papers are available in a range of surface resistivity, tailored through the use of different conductive coatings, fibers, or carbon-based additives, in line with industry requirements for both resistance and conductivity.
This static dissipative packaging material is essential for safeguarding products in electronics manufacturing, telecommunications, electrical engineering, and battery assembly, where static hazards threaten device reliability and yield. ESD paper is not only a safe and effective static control method, but is also environmentally friendly, often produced with recyclable components and low environmental impact materials. For optimal protection, ESD paper is offered in sheets, rolls, bags, and customized die-cut forms, accommodating a wide range of product sizes and geometries.
Technical properties of ESD paper include thermal stability up to 392°F (200°C) and reliable pH stability between 2 and 11 at elevated temperatures. Surface resistivity levels (1xE7 to 1xE9 ohms/sq) meet the stringent standards for electrostatic safe packaging in EPA workstations and manufacturing lines. As devices shrink and circuit densities increase, the risk of catastrophic ESD events heightens, making ESD paper a necessity for protecting modern miniaturized components throughout production, shipping, and installation.
Historically, electronics manufacturers have continuously developed innovative ESD packaging and protective materials. As electronic assemblies have become smaller and more susceptible to low-voltage static discharges, passive ESD solutions like ESD paper have grown in importance. Today, ESD paper and passive static eliminators are critical components in integrated static control programs, ensuring both product quality and regulatory compliance for manufacturers in high-tech industries.
Above and beyond passive and active static eliminators are anti-static coatings that are designed to alleviate static electricity through the application of a conductive coating that prevents electricity from accumulating on product surfaces. Anti-static coatings are unlike passive and active static eliminators in that they are designed to prevent static electricity from ever occurring or collecting and come in the form of paints and powders.
The function of anti-static coatings is to dissipate static charges from surfaces allowing them to drain into the surface of a material. The process removes the need for the use of passive or active static eliminators.
The application of anti-static coatings involves the use of a spray gun with a rotary nozzle using a coating that has a positive charge. The surface to be protected receives a negative charge using an electrode that attracts the positive charge in the coating and causes it to adhere or stick to the surface of the material being treated. The positive and negative attraction between the surface and coating causes the coating to cling and bond with the surface being protected.
A variation of the application process includes reversing the charges with the surface to be coated having a positive charge and the coating material having a negative charge. In either case, one aspect of the process has to be positively charged while the other aspect is negatively charged.
Unlike traditional coatings that can have over spray, anti-static coatings adhere smoothly and evenly to a surface due to the static pull of the attraction between the positive and negative charges. The static charge is so strong that the coating is pulled around and over the surface of an object leaving a smooth coat. Due to the attraction factor, the application does not leave a mess and does not require extensive cleanup.
The thickness of the coating is controlled to provide a solid, durable coating that will last for many years. The dried surface is hygienic and non-porous, which makes it impervious to the effects of cleaning chemicals. Strong adherence of coatings to surfaces reduces waste and saves on the cost of the application process.
Depending on the type of coating being used, the final step in the coating process is to send the workpiece through an oven that melts the particles of the coating and increases its adherence to the workpiece. During the cooling process, a highly durable layer forms over the workpiece.
The common types of anti-static coatings are available in paint form and powder form. Although the application of both forms is similar, determining which one to use is in accordance with the metal to be protected and requirements of an application. There is a wide assortment of anti-static coating materials available, which are differentiated by their polymers and blend. The size of particles vary between large and small for each type, a factor that determines how the particles melt and bond with the metal and the thickness of the coating.
Anti-static paints consist of a base resin, fillers, additives, conductive fillers, and a wear resistant agent and come with a main component and curing agent. The base component of anti-static paint is a polyurethane or epoxy resin. Anti-static paints have exceptional adhesion and are resistant to oils and acids. They are widely used in electronics, aerospace, and petrochemical industries.
The benefits of anti-static paints is their wide range of colors, durability, and positive appearance. They provide a smooth, hard, wear resistant finish that is ideal for environments that require a high level of cleanliness and acceptable appearance.
The types of anti-static powders include epoxy, polyester, acrylic, polyesteramide, and thermoplastics, each of which is designed to meet specific application requirements, such as resistance to corrosion, hardness, flexibility, and ability to endure unique weather conditions.
Anti-static powders are popular due to their resistance to abrasions, corrosion, and impact. They are highly durable and resilient regardless of the conditions and can be easily applied using a spray gun. In order to ensure total adherence, the protected surface passes through an oven to enhance the adhesion and mixing of the powder. The characteristics of anti-static powders makes them ideal for automotive, furniture, and home appliance manufacturing.
The selection of an anti-static coating requires careful consideration since each form of coating has properties and characteristics designed to fit a specific requirement. Understanding and studying the various coatings can assist in choosing the correct coating for commercial and industrial use.
In the static elimination process, ionizers are used to neutralize static charge by generating positive and negative ions to offset the existing imbalance of ions. Static eliminators are a useful and affectual tool that manufacturers use to remove static charge and buildup for the protection of their customers and products. Since static eliminators are safe, efficient, and effective, compared to other static removal methods, they are the first choice of manufacturers when dealing with the problem of static electricity.
There is a long list of uses for static eliminators in cleanrooms, beginning with air showers where workers have contaminants removed using jets of air. The addition of static eliminators makes the cleaning preparation process more efficient. Static eliminators are added to air flow hoods and clean benches. Off and on winds generate static electricity during their operation, which attracts contaminants, dirt, and dust. Static eliminators neutralize the problem. Openings to a cleanroom can allow static electricity to enter the room and necessitate the placement of static eliminators.
Plastics formed in a mold are electrostatically charged to force the plastic to adhere to the surface of the mold, which causes molded plastics to stick to the surface of a mold. As shapes become more complex and larger, the amount of static electricity increases, intensifying the problem. In addition, high speed molding creates a higher level of build up due to the rapid rate of the process. While other measures can be taken to improve efficiency, the installation of static eliminators, such as air knives, prevents particle adhesion and residual on molded products, which reduces waste and improves productivity.
Warehouses that store electronics have to be protected against static electricity that can damage shelved devices. AC and DC static eliminators are used under such conditions to provide positive and negative ions to neutralize any threats. Static eliminators are positioned in various parts of a facility, such as entrances, doorways, and other openings to prevent particles from entering a facility.
Dust collectors that are used during the transfer of electronic parts can damage parts, while static eliminators, that don’t use force to remove dust, eliminate static charges and dust without need of forced air. They remove static charges from delicate electronics that are sensitive to dust and air pressure. Fine parts are easily neutralized with the efficient delivery of ions with bar and space saving static eliminators.
During a regular day, people are constantly accumulating static charges, which necessitates the use of long-range static eliminators for use in large spaces where airborne particles are present and collect. In such cases, low frequency static eliminators are used that have a longer emission time of ions that repel each other and spread over wider distances. These types of static eliminators are ideal for work spaces where workers congregate.
In areas where static electricity is released, electromagnetic noise is always present, which can cause electronics and other equipment to malfunction. Although static electricity is a problem in several other areas, in instances where electromagnetic noise is present, it is important to prevent ESD and stop the generation of electromagnetic noise. On production lines, the materials being manufactured can generate electromagnetic noise that can interfere with production. Static eliminators are used to correct the problem without coming in contact with products. In essence, it is a nonintrusive method for preventing assembly and production stoppage.
In order to get the best results from a static eliminator, it is essential that the rules for the process be followed such that the process and performance of a static eliminator is successful. The rules that apply to the use of static eliminators can provide a greater understanding of the necessity of the process and the reason for its use. In addition, such knowledge is helpful in the selection of the right static eliminator for an application.
If a material to be neutralized is touching a piece of equipment, roller, metal, or other material, the electric field couples with the touched body and prevents neutralization. It is important to wait for a material to separate before initiating the process. An exception to this rule is with DC static eliminators, which are able to neutralize charges between coupled bodies.
If a product is neutralized too early in a manufacturing process, it may pick up static electricity as it passes through other processes. A static eliminator should be positioned at the last possible moment of manufacturing.
It is essential that dust be removed as soon as possible to avoid molecular bonding that inhibits the ability of static eliminators to neutralize a product. For the process to work, dusty products or implements should be wiped down, dusted, and cleaned with a solvent. This is a reiteration of the touching rule, but in regard to dust.
Products that are hot after neutralization can still generate a static electrical charge. Materials to be neutralized should be cooled to around 40°C (104°F) before being neutralized in order for the neutralization to last. Static eliminator air nozzles and blowers are ideal for such applications, since they cool the item to be neutralized.
The faster products are processed and produced, the higher is their static electric charge. In some cases, it is recommended that two or more AC static eliminators be used for greater efficiency. Pulsed DC static eliminators are more powerful and are able to put up with higher speeds.
The majority of static charges are generated on the surface of products, but in cases where a product is multi-layered, the neutralization of charges is more difficult. Under such conditions, the only way to neutralize the static charge is to wait until it moves to the surface.
In most cases, the application of positive and negative ions removes static charge from both sides of materials. Although this is common, there are instances when a material is too thick and requires treatment on both sides to remove all static charge.
The power of static electricity is a form of electricity with which people are most familiar. It is for this reason that many people disregard the dangers of static electricity and view it as a nuisance rather than a danger. The hazards of static electricity require planning for protection against the threat of its presence. Areas where static build up occurs include gears, belts, powders, jet nozzles, metal tanks, piping, and rubber wheels, to name a few.
The danger to electronics in regard to electronics comes from people touching the components of electronics, which generates heat that can burn connections, disrupt contacts, and break microchips. The created damage may not manifest itself immediately but can happen during the operation of a device. In such cases, measures should be taken prior to touching electronics such as anti-static gloves and static dischargers.
Electrostatic attraction, and repulsion, is a force between particles due to their electric charges where there is an attraction between positively and negatively charged ions, which are oppositely charged. This particular problem is common with plastics, paper, and textile production and processing. Electrostatic attraction is visible in the materials during processing where materials will stick together, pull away, stick to equipment, attract dust, or wind incorrectly. The problem can be solved with the use of a static eliminator or static ionizer.
The risk of fire from static electricity is not common to most facilities, except in processes that involve the use of flammable solvents. The source of the static electricity can be underground equipment and moving conductors. The igniting charge can come from an individual wearing non-conductive clothing or the operation of underground devices. The proper type of footwear and clothing that allows electrostatic charges to dissipate and anti-static gloves can prevent electrostatic build up from people. To prevent underground machinery from producing electrostatic discharge, the equipment should be grounded.
Electrical shock from static electricity is something that everybody has experienced by shuffling their feet on carpeting. Although this is entertaining, the risk of shock in an industrial environment can be an issue that can cause accidents and harm people with heart conditions. This type of electrical shock is very common in plastics factories that have static electricity build up on the surface of products.
While the effects of static electricity are negligible, there are dangers connected with its presence and measures should be taken for the safety of workers and equipment. Many of the precautions, aside from the use of static eliminators, are simple and easy and require very little effort.
There are several methods that are used to determine if a static eliminator is working properly. The easiest method is to measure the static level using a digital static meter, which is a hand-held, battery-operated instrument that displays the voltage and polarity on an object’s surface.
Another method is to see if there is the presence of ozone near the emission point of a static eliminator. When the compressed air of an eliminator is turned off, it is possible to smell the odor of ozone, which is pungent, sweet, and metallic.
When testing a static eliminator, anti-static measures should be taken, such as wearing anti-static clothing, caps, and shoes to make sure the person doing the testing is grounded. There are anti-static coveralls that are used by workers in cleanrooms that cover the body and prevent the emission of static electricity.
Compressed air source from a static eliminator should be clean, dry, free of particulate matter, and moisture. The parameters of the environment, such as the temperature, humidity, air flow, air pressure, and cleanliness should be observed and recorded as to how they will affect the readings.
Things that should not be present:
The static eliminator should be grounded and the testing instrument should be clean, properly adjusted, and in good condition. The temperature and humidity should be at an optimum level to ensure the proper performance of the electrostatic meter.
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