ESD/Anti-Static Apparel

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is a phenomenon that occurs when a static charge is bled off in an uncontrolled fashion. It is defined as “the rapid, spontaneous transfer of electrostatic charge induced by a high electrostatic field”. ESD can come in many forms, ranging from as small as 50 volts of electricity being equalized to tens of thousands of volts.  Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is the release of static electricity when two objects come into contact. Familiar examples of ESD include the shock we receive when we walk across a carpet and touch a metal doorknob and the static electricity we feel from clothes coming out of the dryer. Lightning is also electrostatic discharge.

While most of ESD events are harmless to the human body, they can cause challenging and expensive problems in certain industrial environments. Static electricity is a problem for electronic and medical device manufacturing, vehicle fabrication, industries that use plastics and paper, and ones that need clean room environments. ESD issues can slow production, negatively affect product quality issues, attract contaminants and create safety issues.

These charges surfaces pose a risk to your business, staff and equipment.  Having an EPA ensures that there is somewhere where these static charges are unable to build up in great enough strength to cause damage.

An EPA is a defined space where all surfaces, objects, people and ESD Sensitive Devices (ESDs) within it are kept at the same electrical potential. This is achieved by simply using ‘groundable’ materials (i.e. materials with an electrical resistance typically of less than 10⁹ ohms) for covering all surfaces, for containers and for tools. All surfaces, products and people are bonded to Ground, which means connecting them with a resistance of < 1 gigohm. Movable items (such as containers and tools) are bonded by virtue of standing on a bonded surface or being held by a bonded person. Everything that does not readily dissipate charge (an insulator), should be excluded from the EPA, except for when process essential, in which case Ionisation can be used.  An EPA could be anywhere from just one workstation, a room, or a whole factory floor. It can even be portable, perhaps in a field service situation.

ESD/anti-static apparel does not produce an electrostatic discharge and keeps the wearer safe in static-prone environments. These types of products include lab coats, pants, shirts, jackets and gloves. Anti-static apparel is worn in technology manufacturing, explosive environments, fire control and electrical work. Anti-static properties are typically woven into the product’s fabric to ensure a high level of protection, comfort and durability.  Here at ABCO we carry a full range of anti-static workwear from T-shirts and sweatshirts, gloves and boots.   

It is our goal to ensure that your employees are fully protected from the hazards of their environment with protective clothing and workwear.  If you require any items that are not on our website, or you require personalized clothing, please Contact Us Today with your requirements and for quotes.

 

	Anti-Static ESD Sweatshirt Black or Navy		Anti-Static ESD Long Sleeve T-Shirt
	Anti-Static ESD Short sleeved T-Shirt		Bizflame® Knit Antistatic FR crew neck or Henley Long sleeve T-Shirts
	Anti-Static ESD Short Sleeved Polo Shirt		Anti-Static Women’s Pants
	AS11 – Anti-Static ESD Pants