INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP IN ELECTROSTATICS
Dr John Chubb John Chubb Instrumentation, Unit 30, Lansdown Industrial Estate, Gloucester Road, Cheltenham, GL51 8PL, UK. (Tel: +44 (0)1242 573347 Fax: +44 (0)1242 251388
email: jchubb@jci.co.uk Website: http://www.jci.co.uk) The present Notes are prepared for the one 1 day
‘Introductory Workshop in Electrostatics’
to preceded the Institute of Physics 'ELECTROSTATICS 2003' International Conference
at Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh 23-27 March 2003.
Contents:
Nature of static electricity. Basic physics. Range of practical problems.
Importance of appreciating problems in context of practical 'systems'.
3. INSTRUMENTS AND MEASUREMENTS
3.2.2 Measurement of electric field
3.2.3 Surface voltage
3.2.4 Space voltage
3.2.5 Charge
3.2.6 Surface charge density
3.2.7 Volume charge density
3.2.8 Charge transfer and currents in discharges
3.2.9 Incendivity of electrostatic discharges
3.2.10 Other measurements
3.2.11 Calibration
3.3.2 Charge decay
3.3.3 Capacitance loading
3.3.4 Comments on other methods for measuring charge decay
3.3.5 High value resistor measurement
3.3.6 Chargeability
3.3.7 Shielding
3.4.2 Fieldmeters used as potemntiasl probes in large scale studies
3.4.3.Large scale Faraday Pail
3.4.5 Radio detetion of spark discharges
3.4.6 Industrial measurements
3.4.7 Modelling
4. ASSESSMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE OF STATIC
Criteria for concern about static: ignition of flammable gases and dusts, shock risks, cling of thin films, damage to semiconductors, upset of microelectronic system operation
5. APPROACHES TO TACKLE PROBLEMS
- Standards; Codes of Practice
- Changes to systems: earthing, avoid isolated conductors, reduce consequences, reduce charge generation, enhance dissipation, charge neutralisation, use only approved equipment
- Examples of practical problems and approaches to solve problems
- Sources of information
6. SOURCES OF INFORMATION ABOUT STATIC ELECTRICITY
(These notes were last updated 28 February 2003)