How to choose between ESD flooring and anti-static flooring

Usually, a build-up of static electricity occurs when rubbing a non-conductive object against another non-conductive object. Anti-static and ESD are two types of flooring we use as solutions for the risk of electric shocks in the workplace. However, to determine the need for either ESD or anti-static flooring, we need to understand the environment and requirements.

CONTENTS
What is ESD flooring?

What is anti static flooring?

Why do you need anti static flooring?

Where ESD / Anti-static flooring can be used？

How does anti-static flooring work?

How does ESD flooring work?

What is the difference between anti-static and ESD flooring?

Benefits & Application Of ESD Flooring

What is ESD flooring?

Electrostatic dissipative (ESD) flooring is a type of floor covering that has been designed to protect against the buildup of static electricity. This can be caused by walking across carpet or other types of floor coverings. These materials have an affinity for holding onto static charges, so they can attract dust particles and dirt particles from the air around you.

Electrostatic discharge occurs when two dissimilar materials come into contact with each other. The charge from one object transfers to another, causing sparks. These sparks can cause serious damage to sensitive electronics such as equipment, computers, TVs, phones, tablets, etc.

What is anti–static flooring?

Anti Static Flooring is a type of flooring that protects your equipment from static electricity.

It works by creating a physical barrier between the ground and your devices.

This prevents the transfer of static electricity from the ground to the equipment.

ESD / Anti Static Flooring can be applied in:

Electronic and high tech areas
Cleanrooms
Operating theatres
Classrooms
Industrial areas
Pharmaceutical areas
 

How does anti-static flooring work?

Anti-Static Flooring works by creating a conductive path between the ground and your feet. By doing this, any static electricity that may accumulate on your body will not be able to travel back to the ground where it can build up. It also helps to reduce the amount of dust in the air that could otherwise collect on your shoes and clothing.

How does ESD flooring work?

ESD flooring is made from special materials that help to protect against electrical surges. These materials include rubber, PVC, polyurethane, epoxy, and other non-conductive substances.

Why do you need ESD / Anti Static Flooring ?

ESD / Anti Static Flooring are essential grounding solutions that many businesses’ use to prevent electrostatic discharge in their static safe environments. ESD Flooring protect against the buildup of static electrical charges. It is widely used for industrial static control since many items in these areas are sensitive to static therefore prevention methods are required.

In most workplace environments, the static generated when people walk is the biggest contributor to random ESD events (or problems caused by electrostatic discharge). For this reason, a static-protective floor—or an ESD floor/footwear combination—is the cornerstone of any effective static-control program.

An electrostatic discharge can have a highly damaging effect on electrical components, costing manufacturers a lot of money. There can also be more serious consequences within medical applications if an electromagnetic charge causes components within medical equipment to fail, and in some chemical applications a small spark electrostatic discharge can set an entire laboratory or warehouse up in flames.

Benefits & Application Of ESD Flooring
ESD flooring works more effectively and completely than other types of ESD flooring, such as carpet or tile.

Main benefits:

Protection of sensitive electrical components from damaging static electricity.
Protection of personnel.
Better performance than tile that can be rolled under heavy duty conditions.
Save money on replacing or repairing electronic equipment that has failed or been damaged due to static electricity.
Creating a 100% efficient static controlled environment with ESD footwear.