CONTROLLING STATIC IN HAZARDOUS AREAS
April 1st 2004

Problems associated with static charge accumulation on conductive plant, equipment and materials can be remedied by effective earthing and bonding using atex approved clamps, connectors, bonding cables and other devices.

However, even when the appropriate static safety equipment has been specified, there are other concerns that must be addressed. For example, many conductive objects could have insulating layers that may prevent a low resistance contact.

To solve this problem, Bond-Rite atex approved intrinsically safe, self-testing grounding clamps from Newson Gale can be used to monitor the contact. The clamp provides confirmation of a low resistance bond via a flashing led.

For a higher level of security, Earth-Rite atex approved static grounding systems can be used. These give visual verification and provide interlocking switch contacts that could be linked to process pumps, valves, alarm/shutdown/ control systems and so on.

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