Static electricity can be a nuisance, and it can also cause damage to machinery. Learn how to remove static electricity from machinery with these tips.
This problem is common in plastics, packaging, paper, textile, and similar industries. It leads to products that don’t work right, like ones that stick together or repel each other, ones that attach to machinery, ones that attract dust, ones that don’t work well, and many other issues.
In general, there are a few tips that are very helpful in removing static electricity from a machine; the ways are mentioned as under:
- By Ionizing the machine
- By Grounding the machine
- By Induction Method
- Using Antistatic Sprays
- With the help of Antistatic Bags
- Using materials, flooring, and coating
1. By Ionizing the Machine
Static eliminators are ionizing units that make positively and negatively charged ions. The positively and negatively charged ions are attracted to the material out of balance, neutralizing it.
For example, a static neutralizer can eliminate the charge on a material’s surface. But it doesn’t remove the electrostatic discharge because if the fabric is rubbed together again after it has been nullified, static electricity will be made.
2. By Grounding the Machine
Grounding, also called Earthing, is one the safest and most effective ways to get rid of static charge that has built up.
A grounding rod or electrode stuck into the ground connects an object to the earth. By sending electrons between an object and the ground, grounding drains away static charges as they build up. This gets rid of any extra charge.Â
In this case, wires, clips, cables, and clamps connect things that conduct electricity to the earth. This is like bonding, except one of the objects is the ground itself.
3. By the Induction Method
Induction is the easiest and oldest way to get rid of or cancel out static electricity.
Most of the time, people use tinsel or special wire for this. But tinsel is frequently misused, gets dirty and broken, and is therefore not very successful. You first need to know that an induction device like tinsel will never reduce or cancel out static electricity to zero potential. A high threshold or starting voltage is required to “start” the process.
4. Using Antistatic Sprays
The Anti-static spray is a specially designed liquid to eliminate static electric charges by preventing static cling. It cannot be used on specific equipment, such as monitor screens, and must be used as directed by the manufacturer.
Anti-static sprays can be used to stop charges from sticking to a surface.
When this liquid is sprayed, it stops charges from building up. This prevents electrostatic electricity from happening. Anti-static sprays are used on equipment that moves quickly or surfaces with a lot of static electricity that is hard to control or eliminate.
5. With the Help of Antistatic Bags
Anti-static bags protect electrical and electronic parts that are sensitive to static electricity.
These packaging materials keep static electricity from building up. Anti-static bags are typically manufactured with polyethylene terephthalate and may be semi-translucent or clear. There are many different sizes and colors of these bags, and they are commonly used to pack hard disks, motherboards, sound cards, video cards, etc.
6. Using Materials, Floorings, and Clothing
Static electricity can be removed from individuals as they walk and move with conductive floors, shoe soles, and unique clothing.
When stockpiling and handling things that can catch fire, it’s essential to consider the container’s material (metal, plastic, etc.). Insulation and non-conductive materials make a charge more likely to build up.
In many manufacturing, industrial production, and industrial settings, static is an unidentifiable safety risk. Appropriate grounding and other antiwear measures are essential for safeguarding employees, equipment, and sensitive electronics and saving money on rework and overspray in coatings. Depending on the situation, there are many things to choose from when connecting and being rooted. (1, 2)
Take a look at some of our related articles below.
References
(1) safeguarding employees – https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-au/technology/7-ways-to-safeguard-staff-as-they-return-to-the-workplace/351995
(2) saving money – https://bettermoneyhabits.bankofamerica.com/en/saving-budgeting/ways-to-save-money