Insulators are one of the major culprits in any search for static generating materials. Unlike conductors, insulators cannot be grounded and are generally found in wide proliferation throughout any plant, and on most work stations. A stringent control and removal of all insulators, from your work area, can lead to a decrease of up to 50% of all static related rejects and chip degradations. The process of removal should start at the receiving dept., and should begin with a mandate to all suppliers to package incoming electronic and electronic related parts in appropriate static control packaging. All companies should strictly control all packaging materials on supplies and products shipped into their plant. Good static control begins at the receiving dept. which must ensure that all insulative packaging materials are removed and discarded before any items are moved to other locations within the facility. It is important to eliminate all insulating packaging materials, from the beginning, since they are the hardest item to control in a repair or manufacturing environment. Even with the most stringent of measures, a fair amount of insulators will find their way to the work station. Insulators can be found throughout most any plant and are often in a variety of configurations. Any company preparing for an ISO 9001-2000 audit, or gearing up for pre-certification should be concerned about the number and types of insulators within their manufacturing environment. Insulators, (plastics) constitute a major ESD potential hazard for four reasons:

1. Insulators can charge to thousands of volts with just the touch of a finger. 2. Insulators can charge to different potentials on the same surface. 3. Insulators can store charges of different polarity on the same surface -- and constitute “a tribo-electric charge in waiting." 4. The resulting fields can induce a voltage on ungrounded conductors. A list of the most dangerous insulators could include the following: ABS totes and bins, ABS trays, bubble wrap, cellophane tape, computer monitors, curtains, circuit boards, data diskettes, equipment covers, light fixtures, masking tape, microscope covers, paper wipes, plastic carts, plastic folders, plastic lighters, plastic boxes, plastic trays, plastic staplers, safety glasses, stretch/shrink wrap, styrofoam cups, plastic pens, poly bags, packaging peanuts, vinyl stools, vinyl binders, and vinyl holders.

For those insulators that are impossible to remove from the work station, and for insulators that are part of the work process, a viable solution is the installation of air ionizers, which will eliminate the static build up on any items within it’s air flow area. Ionizers, in conjunction with the use of anti-static topicants, will eliminate static build up on any insulators at the work station. Although the removal and control of insulators will lead to a substantial decrease in ESD related problems, they are only one of the culprits to be considered in any program of ESD elimination. For other information, technical bulletins or assistance in eliminating static in your plant call THE DÉGAGÉ CORP. or our area distributor today.

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