A Study in ESD Floor Coating Conductivity

ESD Floor Finish, ESD Concrete Sealer, ESD Epoxy

Overview and goals: The purpose of the following testing is to identify floor coatings that fully comply with the latest recommendations of ANSI ESD S 2020-2014 page 4 tables 2, TR-53 Compliance Verification. TR-53 requires readings taken using portions of ANSI/ESD STM7.1. This test method requires a compliant megohmmeter capable of achieving an output of 10 to 100 VDC and measuring electrical resistance in the range 1.0E02 to 1.0E14. The output of said device is coupled with specialty electrodes of a specific size and density. Although not a requirement of TR-53, good practice dictates taking Pont to Point (PTP) resistance calculations using two electrodes. In this testing an electrical charge of either 10 or 100 volts is generated and sent to an electrode. The charge (voltage) travels through and across the flooring and the electrical resistance value is measured to another electrode positioned 36” from the first electrode. The test instrument measures the resistivity/conductivity and presents it in Ohms.

Resistance to Ground (RTG) testing IS a requirement of TR-53. It is accomplished using the same instruments. However, only one electrode is placed on the substrate while said megohmmeter is grounded to an approved electrical ground. In this scenario an electrical charge of 10 (for static conductive flooring) or 100 volts (for static dissipative flooring) is generated and sent through the electrode and the flooring substrate. The resistance of said electrical charge is measured to the reliable ground point in the facility and presented in Ohms.

TR-53 also requires readings taken using portions of ANSI/ESD STM97.1. This testing is accomplished using the aforementioned test instrument. However, in this test the megohmmeter is set to generate a 100 volt charge. One of the two leads from the instrument is grounded. The second lead is terminated to a hand held electrode. Said charge is generated and sent through a technician standing on the ESD flooring while wearing standard industry compliant heel grounders or ESD Footwear. The package resistance of the technician, their footwear and the flooring is measured on the instrument with readings presented in Ohms.

To pass ANSI/ESD S20.20-2014 (page 4, table 2) TR-53 Flooring Compliance Verification the electrical resistance of all aforementioned testing must be less than 1.0E09 Ohms.

Chemical coatings that increase the conductivity of standard flooring may provide a viable, cost effective alternative to installing new ESD flooring. Thus, it is the goal of this study to provide documented evidence of coating conductivity and to identify materials that meet the resistance levels for reliable compliance. This report documents a series of electrical conductivity test performed on concrete filled testing trays rendered esd (static control) compliant via the application of ElectraGlaze ESD Floor Finish, ElectraGuard ESD epoxy Paint and ElectraSeal static control concrete sealer. Grounding of the specimens comprised of an appropriately placed Copper 3' x 3' x .125 thick panel reliably attached to primary electrical building ground and placed beneath the concrete filled galvanized testing tray. The following testing was performed in a temperature and humidity set to replicate many typical job site environments.

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A) ElectraSeal ESD Concrete Sealers

B) Untreated Concrete Filled Raised Access Panel.

C) ElectraGuard ESD Epoxy Floor Paint.

D) ElectraSeal top coated with 2 coats of ElectraGlaze ESD Floor Finish.

E) Bare Concrete coated with 2 coats of ElectraGlaze ESD Floor Finish.

F) ElectraGuard ESD Epoxy, top coated with 2 coats of ElectraGlaze.

Note: Testing completed 6 days after application of coating systems. Ambient environmental conditions: 28.6%rH @ 71.5 Deg F.

(**) 2 coats

(1) erratic fluctuating readings, humidity dependent.

(2) Meets UL standards for minimum resistance

Contact UNITED Static Control Products Inc

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Published 12/09/2019

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