White Paper - Organizational Process Safety
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Electrostatic Testing Services
Protect Against Electrostatic Hazards and Harness Electrostatic Potential
Electrostatic discharges pose fire and explosion risks. Knowing how static electricity affects your business is the first step towards safety and progress.
Our electrostatic testing focuses on hazard identification, problem resolution, and application innovation. Electrostatic hazard assessments, on-site measurements, and charge elimination/control are all part of our focused, disciplined approach to minimizing the dangers of static electricity, in addition to a comprehensive range of laboratory tests. We engaged in electrostatic research in the fields of powder processing problems, environmental applications and biotechnology, among others.
Range of Electrostatic Testing, Consulting, Research, and Training Services
We support clients through consulting, research, training, and laboratory and on-site testing. On-site we conduct electrostatic hazards assessments, incident investigations, and charge measurements. In our accredited, state-of-the-art, humidity-controlled laboratories, we carry out a complete range of electrostatic tests in accordance with applicable industry accepted practices and standards, such as ASTM D257, BS5958, NFPA 77, and IEC 61340-4-4, including:
- Conductivity - Liquids
- Surface Resistivity – Sheets, films, fabrics, foils, and coatings
- Charge Relaxation Time – Solid materials, powders, liners, sheets, fabrics
- Propagating Brush Discharge – Sheets, films, fabrics, foils, and coatings
- Breakdown Voltage – Sheets, films, fabrics, foils, and coatings
- Electrostatic Discharge Testing
- Measurement of Resistance to Ground – Type C FIBC
- Breakdown Voltage – Type B, Type C, Type D FIBC
- Surface Resistivity – Type L1, L2, L3 Liners
- Breakdown Voltage Measurement – Type L1, L2 (multi-layer), L3 (multi-layer) Liners
More Background Information About Electrostatic Testing
Static electricity is the charge that is generated whenever any two materials make and then break contact. Static electricity is generated during many common processing operations in industry: for example, when liquids flow relative to pipe walls or when powder particles come into contact with the surfaces of the processing and conveying equipment.
A great concern posed by static electricity in an industrial setting is the risk of fire and explosion due to the ignition of flammable atmospheres by electrostatic discharges. Combustible dust and flammable materials are used in many chemical processing operations and precautions are required to prevent their inadvertent ignition. If the energy of the electrostatic discharge is greater than the minimum ignition energy of the flammable atmosphere, a fire or explosion hazard will exist and measures should be taken to avoid the conditions under which such discharge could occur. If the exclusion or elimination of electrostatic ignition sources is not practical, other measures such as avoidance of flammable atmospheres or explosion protection must be considered.
Electrostatic testing evaluates how materials, products, powders, liquids, packaging, and equipment generate, retain, dissipate, or discharge static electricity. The resulting data can support an electrostatic hazard assessment and help organizations understand potential safety, operational, and product quality risks associated with static charge accumulation.
Static electricity can become an ignition source in environments containing combustible dusts, flammable liquids, vapors, or gases. Electrostatic safety testing can also help organizations investigate material handling problems, equipment damage, and product quality concerns associated with uncontrolled static charge.
Industrial electrostatic testing is frequently used in chemical manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food processing, plastics, coatings, packaging, biotechnology, and powder handling operations. Other industries that process combustible or static sensitive materials may also benefit from appropriate testing.
Static electricity testing can be performed on powders, liquids, films, sheets, fabrics, coatings, liners, flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs), and packaging materials. Testing may also evaluate other products or equipment when electrostatic charge could affect safety, handling, or performance.
Electrostatic discharge testing evaluates how materials or systems behave when accumulated static charge is released. The results can help organizations understand discharge behavior, evaluate potential ignition hazards, and identify appropriate risk reduction measures.
Conductivity and resistivity testing determine how easily electrical charges move through or across a material. An electrostatic testing laboratory can use these measurements to evaluate a material’s tendency to accumulate or dissipate static charge under specified conditions.
Organizations often conduct electrostatic hazard testing when introducing new materials, troubleshooting process issues, evaluating combustible dust hazards, investigating incidents, or modifying operations. Testing may also be appropriate when validating packaging, transfer, storage, and material handling systems.
Yes. Static electricity is a recognized potential ignition source for combustible dusts and flammable atmospheres. Electrostatic testing can identify conditions that may increase ignition risk and provide technical data for hazard assessments, process safety decisions, and risk reduction initiatives.
FIBC (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container) testing evaluates the electrostatic performance of bulk bags and liners used to handle powders and granular materials. Testing can help determine whether a packaging system is suitable for its intended materials, operating conditions, and surrounding atmosphere.
After testing, organizations receive technical data and recommendations that can support an electrostatic hazard assessment, process improvements, packaging decisions, equipment selection, risk reduction measures, and compliance efforts. Qualified specialists can help interpret the results within the context of the specific operation.
