FAQ: What do static-dissipative and conductive mean?

Static-dissipative and conductive are terms—expressed in ohms—used to mathematically express a floor’s electrical resistance. Electrical resistance tells us how quickly or slowly the floor will allow static electricity to move from its surface through or across its various layers to ground.

Conductive floors measure less than 1.0 x 10E6 ohms.

Static-dissipative floors measure above 1.0 x 10E6 and less than or equal to 1.0 x 10E9 ohms.

To say a floor should be conductive or should be dissipative is simply incorrect. Conductive (EC) rubber, for instance, outperforms static-dissipative (SD) rubber. SD rubber, which gets its conductivity from a chemical additive, gains electrical resistance as the material dries out; over time—7 years, as cited by one study, SD rubber can actually become insulative.

Conversely, carpet tile in the static-dissipative range may be preferred over some conductive carpet. If the carpet tile is too conductive—or resistance varies from tile to tile, with overly conductive “hot spots”—the floor could pose a safety risk. In fact, the U.S. government and telecommunications industry prohibit the use of conductive floors near electrified equipment.*

     * Standards: FAA 019f, Motorola R56, ATIS 0600321

To perform effectively, a static-control floor should be neither too conductive nor too dissipative. Instead, the floor should fall into what we call the “sweet spot”—or within ideal functional range.