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Conductive Flooring is defined by electrical resistance which is the ability to resist, or stop, the flow of electricity. A conductive flooring means the flooring has an electrical resistant to ground from 1 x 104 Ω to 1 x 106 Ω
Dissipative Flooring is defined by electrical resistance which is the ability to resist, or stop, the flow of electricity. A dissipative flooring means the flooring has an electrical resistant to ground from 1 x 106 Ω to 1 x 109 Ω
With the development of technology and wide application of polymer materials, the problem of electrostatic hazards has become increasingly prominent, which has existed in military industry, pyrotechnics, petroleum, chemical industry, fireworks, shipping, photosensitive materials, coal mines, rubber, medicine, mechatronics, optoelectronics, office automation, Information and communication, electronic medical, computer and many other fields.
Now more and more people notice the importance of ESD flooring. This can protect the human life and electrical equipment. There are mainly 2 types of ESD flooring, conductive flooring & dissipative flooring. Lots of people are confused what is conductive flooring and what is dissipative flooring, how does it work.
In this article, we will talk about conductive flooring and dissipative flooring in details, and their differences.
It’s an in-depth article that takes 20 minutes to read.
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Static electricity is electricity at rest. The electrical charge is the transference of electrons that occurs when there is sliding, rubbing, or separating of a material, which is a generator of electrostatic voltages. For example: plastics, fiber glass, rubber, textiles, ect. Under the right conditions, this induced charge can reach 30,000 to 40,000 volts.
When this happens to an insulating material, like plastic, the charge tends to remain in the localized area of contact. This electrostatic voltage may then discharge via an arc or spark when the plastic material comes in contact with a body at a sufficiently different potential, such as a person or microcircuit.
If Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) occurs to a person, the results may range anywhere from a mild to a painful shock. Extreme cases of ESD, or Arc Flash, can even result in loss of life. These types of sparks are especially dangerous in environments that may contain flammable liquids, solids or gasses, such as a hospital operating room or explosive device assembly.
Some micro-electronic parts can be destroyed or damaged by ESD as low as 20 volts. Since people are prime causes of ESD, they often cause damage to sensitive electronic parts, especially during manufacturing and assembly. The consequences of discharge through an electrical component sensitive to ESD can range from erroneous readings to permanent damage resulting in excessive equipment downtime and costly repair or total part replacement.
ESD flooring prevents a build-up of static electrical charges in the human body by dissipates charges on the ground. This is a permanent solution that delivers perfect long term results because it is grounded. The safety of people and related equipments are guaranteed.
ESD flooring can come in almost any form. So when we talk about ESD flooring, we could be talking about vinyl tile, vinyl sheet, carpet with carbon fibers, epoxy with carbon fibers, rubber flooring, and almost any form of flooring that you can imagine we have a way to render it into static free floor.
Among all the ESD flooring, ESD vinyl flooring is the most best for lower cost, stable quality, durable & scratch resistant, slip resistant, waterproof, fireproof, long life expectancy, antibacterial, and excellent ESD performance. And ESD vinyl sheet is better than ESD vinyl tile cause most of the time ESD flooring is install for commercial usage and it is very big area so sheet is easier to install and seamless.
Materials for protection and prevention of ElectroStatic Discharge (ESD) can be categorized into three distinct groups – separated by their ranges of conductivity to electrical charges. Conductive, dissipative and anti-static. And there is also insulative material.
Conductive
With a low electrical resistance, electrons flow easily across the surface or through the bulk of these materials. Charges go to ground or to another conductive object that the material contacts or comes close to. Conductive materials have a surface resistivity from 1 x 104 Ω to 1 x 106 Ω.
Dissipative
The charges flow to ground more slowly and in a somewhat more controlled manner than with conductive materials. Dissipative materials have a surface resistivity from 1 x 106 Ω to 1 x 109 Ω.
Anti-Static
Preventing the buildup of static electricity. Reducing static electric charges, as on textiles, waxes, polishes, etc., by retaining enough moisture to provide electrical conduction. Anti-stati materials have a surface resistivity from 1 x 109 Ω to 1 x 1012 Ω.
Insulative
Insulative materials prevent or limit the flow of electrons across their surface or through their volume. Insulative materials have a high electrical resistance and are difficult to ground. Static charges remain in place on these materials for a very long time. Insulative materials are defined as those having a surface resistivity of at least 1 x 1012 Ω.
Tips: Please do not use standard volt meter, the contact surface is not big enough for flooring. Please use surface meter.
What is Conductive Flooring?
Conductive Flooring is defined by electrical resistance which is the ability to resist, or stop, the flow of electricity. A conductive flooring means the flooring has an electrical resistant to ground from 1 x 104 Ω to 1 x 106 Ω
What is Dissipative Flooring?
Dissipative Flooring is defined by electrical resistance which is the ability to resist, or stop, the flow of electricity. A dissipative flooring means the flooring has an electrical resistant to ground from 1 x 106 Ω to 1 x 109 Ω
A static conductive flooring is more conductive – or less resistant – to the flow of electricity. It allows static electricity (or any form of electricity) to flow quickly across its surface or through the thickness of the flooring material.
A static dissipative flooring has more electrical resistance than conductive flooring. It slows the flow of electricity. Electricity flows at a slower rate across a static-dissipative than a conductive floor.
Some people may ask which one is better, conductive flooring or dissipative flooring?
Actually there is no better one. It all depends on the environment you want to install the ESD flooring.
If you need the electrostatic discharge more conductive and flow more quickly, then you can choose static conductive flooring.
If you need electrostatic discharge at a slower rate and flow smoothly, then you can choose static dissipative flooring.
So please analyze your installation area before you make any selection.
Conductive flooring and dissipative flooring are all good ESD flooring.
Conductive flooring flows quickly while dissipative flooring flows smoothly.
Please analyze the ESD requirement of your installation area before you make the selection.
This article is written by Longda Flooring (www.longdaflooring.com), a leading vinyl sheet flooring manufacturer from China.
Please contact Longda flooring for a free quote on your vinyl flooring needs. We have quick response, efficient communication, quality products, on time delivery, and competitive price.
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