With technology today, many materials are changing to non-conductive plastics and coatings, especially in the automotive, medical, and paper industries. As this happens, the manufacturing of these items becomes susceptible to static electricity. Static is caused by non-conductive materials having the electrons “rubbed” from one atom to another. This generates highly charged areas, either negative or positive. Like magnets, the same charges repel and opposite charges attract. The electrically charged atoms can cause issues with stacking, alignment, dirt, labeling, and shocking operators. As the saying goes: “What gets measured, gets done”. If you don’t know the source of the static problem, or the severity, it’s often difficult to implement a proper solution. So how do we measure static? You can use a static meter. Here is a video showing you the features and functions of the EXAIR 7905 Static Meter.
Static is one of those problems that is often invisible to the naked eye, unless it’s incredibly high and discharging to a nearby grounded surface. This is typically the exception, not the rule, so in cases where a charge cannot be seen, we have to use a tool to measure it. As the saying goes: “What gets measured, gets done”. If you don’t know the source of the static problem, or the severity, it’s often difficult to implement a proper solution. So how do we measure static?
It’s actually simple: EXAIR’s Model 7905 Static Meter is designed to take the guesswork out of the equation when evaluating static charges. It allows for an easy one-hand measurement of the static charge on the surface. This allows you to measure in numerous places in the process to evaluate the true source of the static. In most cases, the highest voltage reading will indicate the source of your static problem. Just this year, EXAIR released a brand-new Static Meter with an added LED light to help guide the user to the correct position for measurement.
The 7905 Static Meter is sensitive and responsive, indicating the surface voltage and polarity on objects up to +/- 20kV when measured at 1” from the surface. On the front face of the meter is an on/off button, zero button, and hold button. Accuracy of the meter is contingent on three critical factors:
The instrument must be properly zeroed
The distance from the front edge of the case to the target surface under examination must be 1” (25mm). Ranging LED lights help to ensure the correct distance. The meter should be guided towards the charged objects until the two LED circles are concentric on the target. This confirms a spacing of exactly 1”.
The target must be large relative to the measurement distance. It should be at least 5” x 5” for true accuracy.
When looking for a way to identify the source of your static woes, EXAIR’s Static Meter is an ideal fit. Since the method used to neutralize this static is also invisible, using a Static Meter in conjunction with any EXAIR Static Eliminator allows you to confirm and quantify the result of the products working as intended. To do this, simply take a measurement of the surface before and after treatment with any EXAIR Static Eliminator. After being exposed to the static neutralizing ions, the residual static charge should be neutralized and able to be confirmed on the display of the Static Meter.
Once you’ve identified the location and severity of the static, EXAIR offers a complete line of Static Eliminators that can quickly neutralize the charge and eliminate any associated problems.
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As the weather gets colder, and the air gets dryer, static electricity can become a real nuisance in production plants. Machines will start jamming, alignments will be difficult, debris will collect on surfaces, and hazardous sparks can shock staff. EXAIR manufactures a large line of Gen4 Static Eliminators to remove this static nuisance. We offer them with air to remove static at a distance and to create a force to clean. We also offer them without air to help eliminate static in tight spaces or for when airflow may disrupt a material flow. In this blog, I will cover our single point unit, the model 8199 Gen4 Ionizing Point.
Our Ionizing Point is rugged for tough industrial applications. The high voltage cable is constructed with a PVC coated, armored cable to withstand many common hazards like pinch points and cuts, thus protecting the internal conductors. The Gen4 Ion Point is also UL component recognition for the US and Canada, and it is also CE compliant to the applicable European directives for safety as well as electromagnetic interference.
The solid, stainless steel emitter point is also removable. This helps to insure continuous problem-free operations. Once the emitter point wears due to normal use, it can be replaced very simply and economically by simply unscrewing the old one and threading in a new emitter point. The Gen4 Ionizing Point comes standard with a 5 foot (1.5 meter) long high voltage cable. However, other cable lengths up to 50 feet (15 meters) are available upon request. The end has a saddle for mounting through the side of air moving ducts or for simple placement near a static issue.
To operate the Ionizing Points, a Gen4 Power Supply is required to create ions with a high voltage signal. The AC waveform of the signal creates positive and negative ions to remove either polarity of static. EXAIR offers two different models; the model 7960, which has two output ports, and the model 7961, which has four output ports. They can operate more than one Static Eliminator to help save money when the application solution is ideal for operating multiple units in the same vicinity. The features of the Power Supply are that it has a selectable primary voltage of 115Vac or 240Vac, it generates 5,000 volts, and it has shunt circuitry to provide for safe reduction of output when the power supply “sees” a shorted condition on the secondary.
Gen4 Ionizing Points
The Gen4 Ionizing Point is designed for small target areas or for duct mounting. Static is created by rubbing, hitting, and peeling of non-conductive materials. The Gen4 Ionizing Point can be used directly for slitting, label peeling, or small print areas for quality. A series of them can be used for ionizing a ducted airflow to tackle problems within air conveying systems.
Duct mounting
Now, how about a free promotional item? For qualified purchases of Gen4 Static Eliminators, including the Gen4 Ionizing Point, EXAIR will ship a model 7929, AC Sensor, for free with your purchase, a $65.00 value. If you are an end-user and located within the United States or Canada, you can take advantage of this offer until March 31st, 2025. If you wish to speak to an Application Engineer about your application, we will be happy to assist you with a solution to eliminate static.
