StuvEx nv
Heiveldekens 8 - B-2550 Kontich - Belgium
Tel. +32-3-458 25 52 - Fax +32-3-458 25 27
E-mail: info@stuvex.be - www.stuvex.be
SYSTEMS AND PARTS
StuvEx Safety Systems
48, Church Street
Weybridge, Surrey KT 13 8DP - United Kingdom
Tel. +44-1932-849602 - Fax +44-1932-852171
E-mail: info@stuvex.com - www.stuvex.com
CONTROLLING STATIC ELECTRICITY (MEASURING, DISCHARGING AND SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS)
Background
Static electricity is invisible, yet we are all familiar with it. Think of the annoying light shock that
can be felt when getting out of a car or when touching others. Usually it is no more than a small
inconvenience. In many production processes, however, this is not the case. In production
situations, static electricity can be an unwanted phenomenon or it can be used in a controlled way
as part of the production process.
Static electricity can be an unwanted, annoying and even dangerous side effect.
It is a phenomenon that must be controlled or eliminated.
Static electricity can cause fires and explosions:
the transport of powders and liquids through tubes, accompanied by diverse processing
such as sieving, mixing, separating, filtering etc
the storage of powders in bags made of synthetic materials, FIBCs and silos
winding and unwinding of foils in a flammable environment
the use of flammable inks in the printing industry
SYSTEMS AND PARTS - CONTROLLING STATIC ELECTRICITY
Static electricity can cause production stops and/or reduced quality:
printing industry: printing and further treatment
the production of foils: damage and attraction of dust
objects made of synthetic materials: attraction of dust, clinging to each other
powder transport: the speed must be limited to prevent obstructions in the tube due to
sticking to the tube wall
Static electricity can cause damage and destroy products:
penetration of highly charged foils, coatings or flexible hoses
electronic components and sensitive equipment
stored data (magnetic tapes)
One aspect that may not be neglected is the human factor. People can easily become charged with
static electricity: they are mobile and above all unpredictable.
Many accidents are caused by electrostatic discharge via a person.
Or static electricity can be a help to improve quality and increase production.
In this case, it is generated in a controlled way and applied where needed.
Examples are found mainly in the printing and the packaging industries:
the engraved printing process: in this case, ink is applied on the paper at high speed and
with great precision with the help of an electrostatic field
offset printing: in this case, the paper is humidified with the help of an electrostatic field to
improve quality and to facilitate further processing
all printing processes: electrostatic attachment of paper sheets allows faster and error-free
folding and cutting
packing industry: for electrostatic clinging of insertions
handling of plates (steel or aluminium sheets, offset plates, glass sheets): the application
of protective foils between the individual sheets
100605/C2
Products
Measuring instruments
Measuring for the presence of static electricity is important: an efficient, practical and portable
measuring instrument is available for all situations.
Electrostatic fields are measured contact free. For rough measurements, device type EM02
or EM03 can be used. For precise measurements, there is type EMF58.
Earth monitoring can be quickly and securely realised with the ETW08 device, available in
both a standard and explosion-proof model.
Ionising pistol
SYSTEMS AND PARTS - CONTROLLING STATIC ELECTRICITY
Discharging bars
Charging electrodes
Discharging static electricity
Ionising electrodes can be used to effectively eliminate a static charge.
These electrodes produce ionised air that eliminates the electrostatic charge without physical contact.
This prevents discomfort and disruption to the production process, and the risk of fire and explosion is strongly reduced.
Product quality also improves since less dust and dirt is attracted.
The newest technology with penetrating effect, used in the R50/R51 series, effectively eliminates
static charges, even at great distances. The electrodes are inoffensive at contact and low in ozone
Explosion proof models are also available, with or without support for compressed air. These are
available in any desired length as an ionising head or in the form of an ionising pistol.
The transformer accompanying each system has a fault indicator: if the electrodes are contaminated by dust, a fault is indicated. Several transformers are available, depending on the application.
Controlled electrostatic charge
The intentional electrostatic charging of products can result in a considerable improvement in quality and production levels. Here the object to be charged with static electricity is sprinkled by the
electrodes through the air.
Charging options include type R310 electrodes in combination with charging transformer KNH35.
Technical assistance
A StuvEx product specialist is at your disposal for advice and comprehensive documentation.
Charging generators
StuvEx retains the right to make changes without prior notice.