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3. Electronics Industry and Humidification
Stopping the sparks from flying!
The ongoing miniaturisation of electronic components has made consistent ESD protection (electro static discharge) absolutely essential. Electronic devices, printed circuit boards, components and data are highly sensitive to electrostatic discharge. Electronic components can be damaged by an electrostatic discharge of as little as 100 volts.
Benefits of air humidification:
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We talk about static charge...
- when it is "caught" on a conductive object that is electrically insulated on the outside (e.g. metal screwdriver with plastic handle) or
- when it is present on an insulated surface (e.g. plastic) over which it cannot discharge.
If an electrically insulated conductor (e.g. a screwdriver) with sufficient charge is placed in the vicinity of an integrated circuit with a dissimilar voltage potential, the charge "jumps" and causes a brief current flow, which manifests itself as electrostatic discharge (ESD).
The lower the ambient humidity, the higher the electrical charge. The common perception that moist air is a better conductor than dry air is false. In reality, the moist air likes to attach to ions, which makes it heavier and more immobile inside the electrical field. At a humidity level of 55%, the conductivity of the air and of the surfaces of materials has increased far enough to enable electrical charges to be eliminated.
The reason for the rapid rate of discharge at a high humidity level is that a thin film of moisture forms on the materials, which makes the surface sufficiently conductive to prevent it from accumulating charge. As electrostatically charged surfaces also attract more dust, a constant, optimum humidity level considerably reduces particle deposition.
