Electrostatic discharges (ESD) are electrostatic phenomena that allow the circulation of electric current, and occur suddenly, and momentarily when two objects with different electric charges come into contact or friction.
How is static electricity generated?
The most common is that the materials have a neutral charge; however, this is not always the case, there are materials with freer charges, and others that tend to capture them. This is what is called affinity, and when they come into contact or friction, and then separate, it causes both to be charged.
If these charges do not find an outlet with grounding, static electricity is generated.
In what ways can static electricity be generated in industry?
Among them, we can find:
- The passage of a conveyor belt through a pulley
- By passing gases and liquids through tubes and hoses
- Pneumatic conveying of feeding stuffs, seeds, and other powdery products
To this we must add more factors that favor electrostatic charges, and that are:
- Relative humidity level: the lower the humidity, the greater the propensity to generate and accumulate static electricity.
- The level of friction
- Contact area
And as static electricity is charged, the greater the potential difference with respect to the ground, and the moment it comes into contact with a material that allows a conductivity to earth, a spark will be generated: The electrostatic discharge (ESD).
And that carries its risks.
What risks do ESDs pose to industry?
The risks of ESD in industry are:
- Damage to electronic components: ESDs can cause short circuits, burns or alterations in integrated circuits, which can affect the operation or useful life of the devices. This can lead to economic losses, production delays or product quality failures.
- Interference in communication signals: ESDs can generate electrical noise that interferes with radio frequency, infrared or fiber optic signals that are used to transmit data or control processes. This can cause errors, loss of information or malfunction of systems.
- Hazards to worker safety: ESDs can cause sparks or electric arcs that can ignite flammable materials, explosives or gases. They can also cause burn, cramp, or cardiac arrest injuries to people who come in contact with charged objects or induced currents.
How can these risks generated by ESDs be prevented?
To prevent these risks, industrial operators should take the following measures:
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear: the use of synthetic materials or wool that can generate static charges by friction should be avoided. Clothing and footwear with dissipative or conductive properties that allow the evacuation of loads to land should be worn.
- Use personal protective equipment: gloves, wristbands, ankle bracelets or floor mats should be used to prevent the accumulation of loads on the body. You should also wear glasses, masks or helmets that protect the eyes and face from possible sparks or bows.
- Use appropriate tools and materials: the use of metal or sharp tools that can generate sparks or puncture the insulators should be avoided. Tools with insulating handles or coated with dissipative material should be used. Materials with low electrical resistance or antistatic properties that prevent the generation or accumulation of charges should also be used.
- Control the work environment: a relative humidity between 40% and 60% must be maintained to reduce the dryness of the air and facilitate the dissipation of loads. The presence of dust, dirt or vapors that can increase air conductivity or create insulating layers on surfaces should also be avoided.
- Follow current regulations: you must comply with the regulations that regulate prevention measures against ESD in the industrial sector, such as the EN 61340-5-1 standard on electrostatic protection for areas sensitive to static electricity.
With these measures, the risk of ESDs in industry can be reduced and the safety and quality of work improved.
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