Video: ESD Flooring: Conductive Does Not Mean Antistatic
July 24, 2017
Conductivity is one of the most misunderstood aspects of ESD flooring. In this video, we take a humorous look at what can happen when buyers and specifiers rely too heavily on conductivity when choosing a static-control floor. In a brief lesson at the end of the video, we explain why low-charge generation—considering walking body voltage—is crucial for anyone hoping to prevent ESD damage in their workplace.
Visit our Learning Center to find out more about walking body voltage.
For help or advice about choosing an ESD floor, call us on 617-923-2000, email [email protected], or visit our Guide to ESD Flooring Selection.
TeleTech Global has invested millions in a new, state-of-the-art call center campus. To protect their static sensitive electronics, the floor must eliminate static electricity.
For Jane and Joe–the young project managers assigned the job of selecting the floor–it’s the moment of truth.
Salesman: “It’s your lucky day.”
“Premium 25k ohms, conductive vinyl tile.”
“The color will knock your socks off.”
Joe: “It’s got to get rid of static. That’s the priority.”
Jane: “It is a nice colour.”
Salemsan: “Am I good or am I good?”
Jane: “Conductive. Does that mean it’s antistatic?
Salesman: “It’ll exceed expectations.”
“We’re talking grade A conductivity.”
“Conductive enough for ya?”
Boss: “Got to admit, I had my doubts about you two, but you proved me wrong.”
“Care to do the honors?”
“Walking body voltage? The floor was supposed to be antistatic!”
Joe: “Highly conductive…” “Was an honest mistake…” “Told us it would do the job…”
Choosing a static-control floor can be confusing. Like Jane and Joe, most people don’t realize a floor can be conductive and still generate static. Conductive floors contain additives like carbon that conduct electricity. When static touches the floor, the electrical charge is conducted away from the surface through the thickness of the floor to ground.
When we walk, the friction between the soles of our shoes and the floor generates static called walking body voltage. Static that builds on our body stays in place, then discharges to the first person or object we touch.
Humans can’t even feel a discharge less than 3500 volts, but a charge as low as 20 volts can damage or destroy sensitive electronic components.
For more information, visit our website: staticworx.com.
StaticWorx. We keep you grounded.
Learning Center Articles
- 7 Common Mistakes Selecting an ESD floor
- A Guide to ESD Flooring Selection
- Avoid Costly Failures: What You Need to Know When Specifying ESD Flooring
- Choosing ESD Flooring for:
- ESD Footwear: What Is It and When Is It Necessary?
- ESD Footwear for Electronics Manufacturing and Handling Applications
- Facility Managers’ Guide to Selecting ESD Flooring
- The Need for Due Diligence in Specifying Static-Free Flooring
- Standard of Care for Specifying Floors in Mission-Critical Spaces
- Understanding the Hidden Costs of ESD Flooring
- The Case Against Overly Conductive Flooring
- Conductive vs Dissipative
- Electrical Resistance
- Electrical Resistance in Mission-Critical Spaces
- Ensuring Accuracy: Why It’s Critical to Clean Floors and Probes Before ESD Testing
- ESD Standards and Test Methods
- Resistance, Resistivity, and Real World Application
- Walking Body Voltage
StaticWorx high-performance static-control floors protect electronic components, explosives, and high-speed computers from damage caused by static electricity. ESD flooring is part of a system. Choices should always be based on objective, researched evidence. When you partner with us, we look at all possible items that may need to integrate with the floor, and, focusing on your goals and objectives, help you find the right floor for your application.
