Principle of Electrostatic Discharge Protection (ESD) in Clean Rooms
2024.12.20
In today's high-tech industries, such as electronics, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals, the environmental quality of clean rooms is of vital importance. And the issue of static electricity, as a potential risk factor, can have a serious impact on product quality and the production process. Guangzhou Cleanroom Construction Co., Ltd., as a professional manufacturer of purification equipment, will now provide you with an in-depth interpretation of the principle of electrostatic discharge protection (ESD) in clean rooms.
Generation of Static Electricity
In clean rooms, static electricity can be generated in various ways. Human activities are one of the common sources of static electricity. For example, when people walk, operate equipment, or put on or take off work clothes, the friction between the body and clothes, the floor and other objects can cause charge separation and accumulation, thus generating static electricity. In addition, the operation of equipment can also cause static electricity. For instance, the friction between high-speed rotating mechanical parts and the electric field induction of electrical equipment can lead to static electricity. Even the friction between the air flow and the surface of objects, as well as the mutual friction of raw materials during handling and processing, may result in the generation of static electricity.
Hazards of Static Electricity to Clean Rooms
For the electronics and semiconductor industries, static electricity may cause breakdown and damage to electronic components, resulting in a decline in product performance or even complete failure. During the chip manufacturing process, a tiny electrostatic discharge may damage the precise circuit structure inside the chip, rendering the entire chip useless and bringing huge economic losses to enterprises. In the pharmaceutical industry, static electricity may adsorb dust and microorganisms, contaminating pharmaceuticals and affecting their quality and safety. Meanwhile, static electricity may also trigger dangerous situations such as fires or explosions. Especially in clean rooms where flammable and explosive substances are present, the energy generated by electrostatic discharge is sufficient to ignite these substances, endangering the lives and property of personnel.
Principle of Electrostatic Discharge Protection (ESD)
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GroundingGrounding is one of the most basic and effective methods for eliminating static electricity. By connecting equipment, workbenches, personnel, etc. to the earth, the accumulated charges can be quickly drained away, thus avoiding the accumulation and discharge of static electricity. In clean rooms, a special anti-static grounding system is usually laid to ensure that all objects that may generate static electricity can be reliably grounded. For example, the shells of equipment on the electronics production line and operating tools should be connected to the grounding electrode through grounding wires to release electrostatic charges to the earth in a timely manner, maintaining the potential on the surface of objects at zero and preventing static electricity from damaging electronic components.
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Electrostatic NeutralizationWhen static electricity cannot be completely eliminated by grounding, electrostatic neutralization technology comes into play. This method uses electrostatic eliminators to generate ions with the opposite polarity to that of the charged object, so that the electrostatic charges are neutralized. Electrostatic eliminators ionize the air through a high-voltage power supply, generating a large number of positive and negative ions. These ions will actively adsorb onto the object with static electricity and offset the charges on the object, thereby achieving the purpose of eliminating static electricity. In some clean room areas with extremely high sensitivity to static electricity, such as chip packaging workshops, multiple electrostatic eliminators will be installed to ensure that the ion concentration in the air can neutralize the generated static electricity in a timely manner and protect products from electrostatic hazards.
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Humidity ControlProperly increasing the humidity in clean rooms can effectively reduce the generation of static electricity. This is because in a high-humidity environment, a thin layer of water molecules will be adsorbed on the surface of objects. Water molecules are conductive and can make it easier for charges to conduct and leak on the surface of objects, thus reducing the accumulation of static electricity. Generally speaking, it is more appropriate to control the relative humidity in clean rooms between 40% and 60%. However, it should be noted that the control of humidity also needs to be adjusted according to specific production processes and product requirements, because excessive humidity may have an adverse impact on some products or equipment, such as causing rust on metal parts and affecting the performance of electronic equipment.
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Use of Anti-Static MaterialsIn clean rooms, selecting anti-static materials to make equipment, tools, work clothes, and packaging materials can reduce the generation of static electricity at the source. Anti-static materials have good electrical conductivity or electrostatic dissipation properties, enabling charges to conduct and release rapidly within the materials and avoid charge accumulation. For example, anti-static work clothes are made of fabrics containing conductive fibers. When people wear these work clothes and move around, the electrostatic charges generated can be quickly drained away through the conductive fibers, preventing static electricity from affecting the surrounding environment and products. Similarly, anti-static workbench mats, turnover boxes, etc. also reduce the risk of static electricity generation by using special anti-static materials.
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In conclusion, understanding the principle of electrostatic discharge protection (ESD) in clean rooms and taking effective electrostatic protection measures are crucial for ensuring product quality, improving production efficiency, and ensuring the safety of personnel and equipment. Guangzhou Cleanroom Construction Co., Ltd., with its professional technology and rich experience, can provide a full range of electrostatic protection solutions for various clean rooms, helping enterprises create a safe, stable, and efficient production environment.
If you are interested in electrostatic protection in clean rooms or other issues related to purification equipment, please feel free to contact us. We will serve you wholeheartedly!
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