The incendivity hazards of electrostatic discharges from charged, non-conductive solid materials

The discharge of an excess electrostatic charge in the presence of a potentially explosive atmosphere can cause an explosion. The electrostatic properties of solid materials are governed by the occurrence probability of the incendivity of discharges. The experiments conducted in this study werea)measurements of the resistance surface and the volume of solid materials,b)charging of non-conductive solid materials,c)characteristics of the discharges from the charged material surface, andd)discharge incendivity test from the charged non-conductive solid material in a methane atmosphere, which is explosive.The discharge incendivity test from a charged non-conductive solid material is a technique for assessing the probability of explosion. The results can be used for the analysis of risk.The directives issued at the European level include guidelines related to protection against static electricity, intended to reduce the occurrence probability of incendiary discharges.

► Studies were performed by the team at the testing and calibration laboratories of the Central Mining Institute. ► The measurements were executed on three samples of non-conductive non-metallic materials. ► The measurements of resistance and charge were made under the same conditions. ► An examination of the risk of incendivity spark gaps in the original test chamber was performed.