Let’s start with definitions.

1.)   The word antistatic gets tossed around far too generously and usually incorrectly. In general, we view things that are antistatic as being “shock free.” In the technical world, meeting the requirements of being antistatic means a lot more than just preventing shocks: An antistatic carpet must prevent the generation of triboelectricity during interactions with other materials or surfaces regardless of traffic, application, abuse or environmental conditions.. In the case of carpet, meeting this criterion means that the floor will minimize and or prevent the transfer of electrons when people walk on it. Achieving this property, for the life of the carpet, is only possible if the carpet contains a network of exposed conductive fibers. The operative word is exposed fibers. Many carpets contain fibers with a carbon core surrounded by nylon. Unless the carbon is on the exterior of the fiber, that fiber can not prevent static generation. Any flooring that is described as antistatic without a network of exposed conductive fibers is merely a flooring that may prevent static shocks. Since shocks can not be felt until voltage levels reach almost 4 KV, a shock=free carpet doesn’t really do very much in terms of static prevention. Keep in mind that computers are sensitive to 100s of volts, so, a 3.5 KV pulse could easily cause a lock down or interruption of data.

• An antistatic floor prevents people from feeling a static shock, but does not protect electronic equipment.

• The transfer of electrons when people walk across a floor causes static to build on the body. When a person touches and electronic device, that static discharges to the device and can damage or destroy the electronics inside. A grounded static control floor minimizes or prevents the transfer of electrons so that electronic devices are not damaged by static discharges.

2.)   Most antistatic ratings are the result of simple testing of new carpet in a lab under controlled conditions. The carpet is usually installed in the lab on a grounded metal plate and only 2 shoe sole types are used during the test. The test does not measure long-term performance. It is a snap shot and an inaccurate one at that. New nylon yarn has residues on it. Often these residues act like a topical antistat. We’ve seen many carpets with low KV ratings in the lab generate 5 to 10 thousand volts once they have been in use for about a year. That’s why most carpet companies will reference the static generation property of the carpet but make no claims about the longevity or the verifiability of that property. On the other hand, permanent static control carpet specifications provide elaborate details about the conductive and antistatic properties and usually include a strong electrical warranty. That only makes sense; conductive carpet is installed in places where a static event could cripple a business or mission critical operation.

• Waxing or spraying the surface of a floor eliminates static shocks, which occur at over 3000 Volts. Neither waxing, nor spraying eliminates the low-voltage static that damages electronic devices.

• To control static, the carpet must have exposed static control fibers.

• To control static, vinyl and rubber floors must be made with conductive materials.

3.)   There are universal test standards for verifying the conductive properties of static control flooring such as carpet, vinyl tile and rubber tile. The de-facto standard test is called a measurement of resistive properties. This test differs from the static generation test because it is used to verify whether or not the carpet contains conductive elements such as exposed carbon fibers. No 3.5 KV or even 2 KV carpet will pass this test because those types of carpets are not manufactured with exposed conductive fibers. They are made with bi-component fibers like the fiber described in the Staticworx® glossary of textile and antistatic terms, as well as in our expanded glossary area..

Here are some technical definitions from our static control glossary:

Antistatic Carpet: The term antistatic refers to a condition where static generation is inhibited during contact and separation with a different material. In general, antistatic carpet is any carpet product that will generate less static electricity than standard carpet. Antistatic carpet is not conductive and it is not possible to ground anti-static carpet. Antistatic carpet usually contains bi-component yarns. The reason for specifying antistatic carpet is to establish a space that will be free of static shocks, or zaps. Most new antistatic carpet will prevent shocks as long as the relative humidity (RH) is above 25%. Antistatic carpet should NOT be confused with conductive or ESD carpet. Antistatic is not a permanent property.

Antistatic Bi-component: a type of yarn commonly found in most commercial and household carpets. The term bi-component refers to the co-extrusion of two materials within the same yarn strand. The internal cross-section of the yarn contains carbon while the surrounding fibers are composed of standard insulative nylon. The bi-component yarn provides an overall reduction in static generation—not a path to ground. Because the outer nylon insulates the internal conductive element, bi-component yarns do not discharge or conduct static electricity. Bi-component yarns cannot be grounded and are not suitable for static control in areas where computers are used

Conductive Fibers: Fibers capable of conducting electricity to ground. Most conductive fibers contain carbon, graphite or stainless steel. Conductive carpets used by the computer industry are carbon-coated on the exterior of the fiber. External conductivity allows for static charges to make contact with the fibers conductive element and then safely discharge to a ground source, such as electrical conduit. Carbon fibers are inverted bi-component fibers. Conductivity is a permanent property.