Static Eliminators are used to prevent the accumulation of static charge in industrial settings. Static charges created by moving items can promote the accumulation of unwanted dust and dirt, can cause materials to clump or bind and can cause sparking. Minimizing static in paper manufacture is essential, as paper dust can be a fire hazard and can cause operator discomfort. Use of a static eliminator can prevent the fouling of inkjet printers used to code goods which move on conveyor systems.
Types of static eliminators include electric ionizers, nuclear ionizers, air knives and anti-static chemicals. There is also a variety of physical and mounting configurations. For portable use, a static control gun can be carried to a desired location. A static control blower may be useful in applications where static control is required at a greater distance (an extrusion line or injection molding, for example). Nuclear ionizers are used when electrical power is unavailable. Some applications require the elimination of static from personnel, such as automotive paint shop workers. These people might not want to walk through a nuclear static eliminator on the way to their work area, so it is more prudent to use an electric ionizer instead.
Static checkers are available to measure the amount of static in a particular area. Their use can confirm the effectiveness of your static control plan.