Desco Europe ESD - Questions And Answers

The more R.H. is low, the less static electricity becomes in working area. Is it a myth?

Most items will tribocharge greater charges as the relative humidity decreases.Per ESD Handbook ESD-TR 20.20. Under Triboelectric Charge, it states: “It is well known that static electricity, in the form of static cling and static shocks are more prevalent when the air is dry. Heating interior air in the winter months dries out the already dry air in the higher latitudes. It is impractical to use humidity control alone to provide static control since static charges are developed even at relative humidity levels of 90% and greater. Soldering is known to be affected by high R.H conditions (greater than 70%). For areas that have low ambient humidity, ionization is an important consideration to aide in reducing charge accumulation levels.”

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