Static Electricity 2000 Edition

77
–11
2000 Edition
FIGURE 5.1.1
Flow chart for determining static electric ignition hazard.
5.2 Measuring a Static Electric Charge.
A meaningful evalua-
tion requires using an appropriate instrument, using the
instrument according to the manufacturer’s instructions,
maintaining calibration of the instrument, and interpreting
the measurements according to the manufacturer’s recom-
mendations.
5.3 Measuring the Charge on a Conductor.
5.3.1
The voltage on a conductor is proportional to the
charge it supports and is expressed by the following equation:
where:
V = potential difference (volts)
Q = charge supported by the conductor (coulombs)
C = capacitance of the conductor (farads)
5.3.2
The voltage on a conductor can be measured by direct
contact using a voltmeter, provided the impedance of the volt-
meter is high enough so that it does not discharge the conduc-
tor and the capacitance is small enough so that it does not
collect a significant charge from the conductor. An electro-
static voltmeter with input impedance greater than 10
12
ohms
can be used for measuring voltages on most ungrounded con-
ductors. Since conductors have the same voltage at every point
on their surface, it is not important where the test probe of the
voltmeter touches the surface of the conductor.
5.4 Measuring the Charge on a Nonconductor.
5.4.1
The charge on a nonconductor cannot be measured
using a direct contact electrostatic voltmeter. A noncontact
electrostatic voltmeter, or field meter, must be used. A non-
contact electrostatic voltmeter senses the strength of the static
electric field from the net charge on or in the nonconductor.
The field strength is proportional to the static electric force
per unit charge and it describes the electric forces present
near a charged object. For practical purposes, an electric field
Is there
potential to create
ignitible mixture?
Material or
process change
Note 1: Does process include
• Flow of material?
• Agitation or atomization?
• Powders or solids?
• Interaction with personnel?
• Filtration?
• Settling?
• Bubbles rising?
Bond and ground all
conductive equipment
(see 6.4.1)
Yes
No
Can
electrostatic energy
be generated?
(Note 1)
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Static control
or equipment
change
Can
material,
process, equipment,
or static control
changes be
made?
No
Danger: Ignition
is anticipated
Control ignitible
mixtures
(see NFPA 69)
Can
electrostatic energy
accumulate?
(Note 2)
Can
discharge energy
exceed minimum
ignition energy?
Ignition is not
anticipated
Static ignition
hazard is
controlled
Static ignition
hazard is
controlled
Static ignition
hazard is
controlled
Ignition
is not
anticipated
Note 2: Does process include
• Insulated equipment?
• Insulating materials?
• Isolated conductive equipment?
• Interaction with personnel?
• Nonconductive liquids?
• Mists or clouds?
V
Q
C
----
=

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