Static electricity
Where dust is being suctioned, there’s a chance that static electricity can be generated. This is because during the suction process, the dust rubs against surfaces like the walls of a vacuum hose. This friction results in the suctioned dust acquiring a different electrical charge than the surface it rubs against. The extent to which static electricity builds up depends strongly on the material being suctioned. For instance, suctioning plastic chips generates more buildup than, say, wood shavings.
From a safety perspective, it might be necessary to reduce or prevent the buildup of static electricity. This is particularly important when suctioning combustible dust or in areas with flammable gases in the air. The accumulation of static electricity can easily be reduced by grounding components that could cause generation. For instance, you can use:
- A metal cyclone filter. A metal filter can be grounded to dissipate any static electricity.
- A metal dustbin. Similar to a metal filter, a metal container can be easily grounded to dissipate static electricity.
- An antistatic vacuum hose. These hoses are made from conductive material. By grounding the hose, any static electricity can be safely discharged.
We have products available for grounding each component of a filter system. From a complete antistatic kit to an ESD push button.
When grounding a filter system, ensure that the entire system is thoroughly measured before putting it into use to ensure that all components have a conductive connection with each other and with the grounding of your work space. Measure the system’s electrical resistance. Some ESD products include a 1 megaohm resistor, which might not trigger the continuity beep of a multimeter.
The extent to which static electricity builds up in your filtering system depends on the type of cyclone filter, collection container, vacuum hose, suction nozzle, and the type of material being suctioned. We recommend erring on the side of caution and always grounding a filtering system.
Do you have questions? Most answers can be found on the FAQ page. If your question isn’t there, don’t hesitate to contact us through our contact page.
