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- How to Write an Effective Static Dissipative Epoxy Flooring Specification [1 Update]
- Better ESD Floors Are Needed, As Electronic Devices Become More Sensitive [1 Update]
- How to Select the Correct Conductive Flooring and ESD Flooring For Industrial Facilities [1 Update]
- How to Choose the Right ESD Floor For Your Industrial Application [1 Update]
- "Robert J. Long" <submissions@isnare.net> Dec 29 02:00AM +0800
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Article Title: How to Write an Effective Static Dissipative Epoxy Flooring Specification
Author: Robert J. Long
Word Count: 589
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ESD flooring specifiers and buyers have a myriad of concerns, when selecting an epoxy floor system, including architectural considerations, durability, longevity, maintenance, and quality of electrical properties. The decision makers shall need to understand both static control specifications, and the effect that installing epoxy ESD flooring will have on the success of their business.
The selection of ESD floors are oftentimes one of the most challenging decisions that specifiers and buyers encounter in the course of creating a world-class ESD program.
The installation of anti static coatings represents a major capital investment. The ESD epoxy flooring affects your organization's operational performance, as well as your company image, and can also affect the bottom line. Latent defects in your company's products, caused by faulty ESD flooring, could cost your company many times the original cost of the new flooring.
The engineering, production, QA, and purchasing personnel have competing interests; these include total cost of ownership, durability, company image, safety, aesthetics, maintenance, and static control. Specifiers typically turn to their general contractor or material distributor, to obtain ESD properties. Unless they specialize in installation of ESD flooring, these sources will often have limited ESD knowledge of the installation process, or the usual field-tested results of the products. Alternatively, the purchasing department may simply contact a supplier of miscellaneous ESD supplies (heel straps, ionizers, etc.) to get advice on installation concerns (flooring materials or installation). This would be similar to having a flooring company recommend ESD mats or wristraps. Not a good solution!
The specifier must speak with a knowledgeable project estimator who works for the flooring applicator. This person must have a solid grasp of the floor preparation process, the materials, the electrical properties, and the warranty. If the buyer does not feel comfortable with the background and knowledge of the installing contractor, then you need to seek another firm, since the results can be disastrous.
A basic question, which often arises, is whether the flooring should be conductive or dissipative? A little known fact are that the terms "conductive" and "static dissipative" were originally developed for the packaging industry, and included table covering materials, tote boxes, garments and flooring. It was also decided that conductive materials would create a safety problem for personnel, which turned out to be incorrect.Therefore, in the past, most ESD flooring was specified to be dissipative (less than 1Billion ohms) resistance.
The current standard requires a conductivity of less than 35 Million ohms, as per ESD-20.20-2007 which protects sensitive electronic components against walking body voltage (voltage generated by personnel walking on the floor). As a result of the current standards, the final determination is that ESD floor coatings should be selected solely on properties that specifically apply to flooring.
note: a good reference for ESD standards, is available from the ESD Association, on their website (www.esda.org). They provide quality, timely electrical data for an ESD control program.
ANSI/ESD-S20.20-2007 first recommends a resistance below 1 x 10E9 for the floor by itself. However, total system resistance (total of person, wristrap,heelstrap, floor) is recommended to be less than 35 megohms RTC (less than 35 x 10E6).The electrical range for static dissipative flooring should be (less than 35 megohms). This takes precedence over the S20.20 maximum flooring resistance threshold (1x 10E9 megohms). Following these recommendations shall ensure that walking body voltage shall remain below 100 volts, which is the most important criteria for a static dissipating floor (also a S20.20 requirement).
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- "Robert J. Long" <submissions@isnare.net> Dec 29 01:40AM +0800
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Article Title: Better ESD Floors Are Needed, As Electronic Devices Become More Sensitive
Author: Robert J. Long
Word Count: 666
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The need for effective ESD floors for static protection, to eliminate electrostatic charges (the electric charge that rests on the surface of an insulated body that establishes an electrostatic field) from materials and personnel is required in many industries. Damage to the electronic devices especially class 0 ESDS devices (ultra-sensitive devices that are vulnerable to charges as low as 20V) from electrostatic discharge is a common phenomenon in manufacturing, assembly, and testing of electronics. Current electrostatic discharge (ESD) prevention programs need to be improved because of increasing ESD sensitivity. Most ESD programs are predicted on protecting electronics from failures at or above 100 volts, not addressing the performance issues of the class 0 devices which are more vulnerable to ESD. Even ANSI/ESD S20.20-2007, a standard that is designed for the protection of electric and electronic parts, assemblies and equipment, is not able to fully anticipate or adequately prescribe solutions to problems specific to state-of-the-art technology.
In order to understand the ESD failures, one needs to understand the numerous mechanisms that can make an electrostatically charged object to rapidly discharge to another object when both are brought into contact. Electrostatic induction is a phenomenon that refers to a redistribution of electrical charge in an object, caused by the influence (electrostatic field) of nearby charges. Assume that an ESDS device is placed on a grounded table mat in the vicinity of an electric field and lying on or near the mat is a charged object. Because the device is grounded, its voltage is zero. As soon as this ESDS device is lifted from the mat, it loses or picks up electrons around the object. Now, if the charged device touches any other conductor, the discharge is capable of destroying the device.
Voltage suppression is a phenomenon that is used to prevent sensitive electronics from discharging, by raising the capacitance of a charged object. If a material merely suppresses electrostatic field instead of discharging items that are placed on them, then it wouldn't be categorized as a voltage suppressor.
Companies around the globe have invested heavily in ESD programs, and their investments paid dividends. Charged-device model (CDM) is a model used by many organizations to characterize the susceptibility of an electronic device to damage from electrostatic discharge. The CDM model is an alternative to the HBM (human-body model) that is a simulation of the discharge which might occur when an individual touches an electronic device. The human-body model (HBM) establishes the necessary test procedures required to model a testing event.
In CDM model, devices are exposed to a charge at a standardized voltage level, and then tested for survival. If the device withstands this voltage level, it is tested at the next level by placing a charged device on a work surface that is too conductive or placing it in highly conductive packaging. If the device passes this test as well, it is tested at the next level and so on, until the device fails. The more tests a device will pass, the more are chances that it will not be picked up and placed down by a non conductive fixture, a static charge or discharge.
The three most common examples of avoiding HBM threats include wrist straps, conductive footwear and ESD flooring. ESD flooring makes a perfect choice for those who are looking for protection from static discharge. Quality ESD flooring, combined with conductive footwear help keep body voltage less than 10 volts, eliminating almost all HBM threats. ESD floors can be tested for HBM discharge by attaching an individual to a charge plate monitor with a wrist strap. The person standing on the floor will move his or her feet periodically to break ground. If the voltage remains at or close to zero when the feet are lifted, the ESD floor is bleeding accumulated charges away from the person. If the subject retains a static charge when the feet are lifted, the ESD floor is just suppressing the charge.
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- "Robert J. Long" <submissions@isnare.net> Dec 29 01:20AM +0800
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Robert J. Long
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Article Title: How to Select the Correct Conductive Flooring and ESD Flooring For Industrial Facilities
Author: Robert J. Long
Word Count: 767
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Choosing suitable and cost-effective ESD and conductive flooring may seem like a insurmountable task, for many facility executives. Many high technology industries have buildings that may contain different processes in various areas of the manufacturing floor. Further complicating things, each department may have different flooring needs from durability, stain resistance, chemical resistance, or electrical resistance. Add in an abundance of conflicting ESD specifications and misleading data from anti static flooring manufacturers, and facilities managers can get very confused rather quickly. Oftentimes, a committee may be involved with the decision, which can further complicate the matter.
There are various products available in the marketplace, as well as numerous installation contractors. An experienced, knowledgeable, professional contractor, who can provide a turn-key installation, should be your starting point.
There are various products available including ESD Epoxy and Polyurethane coatings (for high traffic areas), to Carpet, Rubber, and Vinyl.
ESD Vinyl
The only ESD vinyl floors to consider, are called solid vinyl tile (SVT). It requires plenty of maintenance, but when properly maintained, SVT vinyl is attractive. The material is relatively inexpensive, but installation and annual maintenance costs can be prohibitive (at least $1 per sq ft per year). This can add up fast. Over five years, this adds over $5 per sq ft to the original cost. There are true no-wax ESD vinyl floors, however, they can be costly, and should only be used in very light traffic areas. High speed buffing (burnishing) is often recommended for cleaning, which can get costly (heat from the buffing machine melts and then reseals the floor). An alternative to this is low speed buffing, using a static control spray buff formula. The maintenance cost of SVT conductive tiles is greater than maintaining carpet and rubber.
Static Dissipative Carpet Tile
Carpet tiles are installed with clean, fast-drying release adhesive. The tiles can be installed directly over old VCT or concrete. If you are tired of the maintenance and waxing an SDT dissipative vinyl ESD floor, then carpet tile may be a good choice. Of course, carpet has its disadvantages. Carpet is not well suited to accommodate heavy loads, such as forklifts and pallet jacks. Carpet also has a low resistance to chemicals and solvents.
ESD Rubber
Conductive rubber greatest advantage, is that it is effective at preventing static in areas where grounded footwear is not, or cannot be used-places such as computer labs, command centers, and 911 call centers. (IMPORTANT: you must be sure that the chosen rubber is conductive and not static dissipative; static dissipative rubber floor conductivity exceeds the recommended system resistance (less than 35 megohms) requirement of ESD S20.20-2007). Ergonomically, rubber has better anti-fatigue factor than epoxy or vinyl; Rubber is less porous than vinyl, which makes it easier to clean, wash and maintain. However, rubber's installed cost is the highest of all options.
ESD Epoxy
High quality epoxy and urethanes are easy to install, low maintenance, durable, attractive, and cost effective. Solid colors, high gloss, and satin finishes are available. Patterns, multiple colors and textures are even available. An epoxy system must be specified, which will be in compliance with ESD S20.20-2007. This requires resistance to be less than 35million ohms. Many products on the market do not meet this standard. For explosion proofing, it must be below 1 million ohms. An applicator with suitable experience and knowledge, can ensure that these standards are met. Within facilities where constant heavy loads and high traffic are the norm, epoxies are usually the only practical flooring material. No waxing is required, and low square foot costs can make this a smart choice. One drawback of epoxy is the lack of color stability, and a smooth surface, which can get slippery when wet. Also, when exposed to UV rays, epoxy will tend to amber or yellow. These problems are solved by specifying an epoxy base coat, with a UV stable ESD polyurethane finish coating. This system provide a satin non-slip finish, which with have excellent long term color stability.
Combining Different Materials
In order to accommodate different needs in various departments, you can combine different flooring solutions, for different areas within the facility. You may install conductive carpet tiles in the assembly area then install a perimeter high traffic area of an epoxy conductive flooring system, to handle the majority of the forklift traffic. Another possibility, is to install vinyl tile over access floors and an epoxy product in heavy traffic areas.
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- "Robert J. Long" <submissions@isnare.net> Dec 29 01:00AM +0800
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Article Title: How to Choose the Right ESD Floor For Your Industrial Application
Author: Robert J. Long
Word Count: 870
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In industries where electronic components are involved, electrostatic discharge can lead to failure of sensitive devices. An ESD floor must consist of materials designed to specific electrical resistance requirements. High performance ESD floor coverings with static dissipative properties will perform even better if certain factors such as: condition of the subfloor, the cost to repair and maintain the ESD floor, and the experience and integrity of the applicator are taken into consideration.
Static discharge, also known as electrostatic discharge or ESD, is caused by the discharge of electrons from a static charge that can build up on an insulating body. Numerous modern electronic devices are very sensitive to ESD because of their very thin layer of insulating glass that can get damaged when exposed to as little as 40V of discharge or less. Electrostatic discharge has been documented as a significant contributor to serious problems ranging from computer freeze-ups and dropped phone calls to failures of semiconductors and shutdowns of mission critical operations.
The need to manufacture integrated components that use less power and improve circuit design and operation will continue to generate significant challenges for designers to reanalyze conventional building materials, and design static free environments and stringent static control procedures so static discharge cannot become a problem in the first place.
ESD floors make an effective method of controlling static discharge that can result in significant damage, injury and financial loss, as well as providing conformance to the latest recommendations of EOS / ESD 2020-2007. Electrostatic dissipative floors are recommended for use in electronic assembly and test areas, flammable storage and processing, and munitions areas. There are a number of terms which are sometimes used incorrectly by sellers to describe static control flooring. Conductive flooring is not the same thing as static dissipative flooring. Conductive flooring is a floor that has low BVG (body voltage generation) readings, offering high levels of protection for your products whereas static dissipative flooring products are engineered for use where static discharge control is required, but the resistance level of the flooring does not need to be as low as that provided by conductive flooring. Similarly, the term "antistatic flooring" is different as it helps eliminate static electricity by providing a controlled low resistance. An antistatic floor dissipates charges from components you're working on as you lay them on the floor. If conductive flooring also exhibits antistatic properties, it will usually meet or exceed any static control requirement for body voltage generation.
In the case of ESD flooring, the two most important ESD standards for flooring are ESD STM 97.1-1999 Floor Materials and Footwear and ESD STM 97.2-1999 Floor Materials and Footwear. ESD STM 97.1-1999 Floor Materials and Footwear standard recommends a flooring footwear total system resistance of no greater than 35 megohms. ESD STM 97.2-1999 Floor Materials and Footwear states that no ESD floor should allow the generation of more than 100 volts when tested in conjunction with a person wearing conductive footwear.
CONCRETE MOISTURE
The majority of ESD flooring failures that occur, are due to elevated moisture and alkalinity levels in the substrate. Moisture levels should be no higher than 3 lb per 1000 square feet per 24 hours. Moisture problems can be detected easily by pulling samples and performing ASTM moisture tests. ASTM-F-1869 - Standard Test Method for Measuring Moisture Vapor Rate of Concrete Subfloor Using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride (the maximum allowed transmission rate is 3 pounds per 1000 square feet) and ASTM F-2170 - Standard Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs Using in Sutu Probes (the maximum relative humidity should be below 80%) can be used to measure moisture vapor rate and relative humidity of a concrete subfloor respectively. Moisture and alkalinity problems can be avoided by filling the cracks before installation, leveling and patching the sub-floor, and installing vapor barriers.
MAINTENANCE
The cost to repair and maintain an ESD floor should also be taken into account. Vinyl static dissipative flooring is the costliest and most difficult to maintain flooring because of its high buffing costs. Broadloom Carpet ESD flooring requires regular vacuuming and yearly wet extraction because of its vulnerability to stains. Rubber ESD flooring will also need periodic scrubbing with a single disc machine to maintain a shine on the surface of the floor. Epoxy ESD flooring needs to be cleaned regularly. If it has a polyurethane topcoat, it may be re-applied every 10 years or so, to keep the floor looking brand new.
SELECTION OF APPLICATOR
Always evaluate a supplier's integrity before purchasing an ESD floor. A applicator with many successful years of service may be more stable than a new business. Make sure that your ESD floor is installed by a trained, certified contractor who is well-versed in identifying and understanding improper flooring conditions and has the training and experience to make the right decision keeping in view your needs and budget. Remember that many companies are merely manufacturers or distributors, with no installation experience. They may know all the ESD specifications and have the best product in the world, but they may not be a trained applicator, in order to properly install the product.
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