Static Bar FAQ’s

What is the difference between shockless  and hot static eliminators?

Shockless static eliminators are designed with ionizing points, or emitters, that are either capacitively or resistor coupled to the high voltage source. This limits  the current at the points to a very low level. Direct contact with a point will  not result in an electrical shock sensation. Shockless or current limited static  eliminators should be used in installations where contact with personnel is  likely.

Hot (also called “non-shockless”) static eliminators are designed  to offer greater efficiency in certain restrictive applications involving  extremely high charges or dirty environments. The high voltage power supply is  coupled directly to the emitter points. Hot static eliminators should only be  used when contact with personnel is unlikely and there are no flammable  materials present.

What are the proper locations for a SIMCO static  bar?

The best locations for a static bar are usually just after the  area where the static is being generated or just before the area where the  problem is located. Electrostatic Fieldmeters provide an easy way to  locate and identify the magnitude of the static charge buildup causing your  specific problems. Be sure to consult with C.C. Steven  Customer Service when initially determining the most appropriate location for  your specific application.

The material to be neutralized should have a background of free  air and NOT be in contact with another surface as it passes the static bar.  Static charges cannot be reduced when two surfaces are in intimate  contact.

Static bars may be mounted in any position provided the emitter  points face the material to be neutralized. Bars can also be mounted on either  side or both sides of the material.

Static bars should be mounted 1/2″ to 1″ away from the charged  material. The exceptions are the PSH-N, R50 and R51 bars. These bars can be  located up to 6″ away from the charged surface of moving materials.

Static bars MUST be grounded for proper operation and  safety.

How do I maintain my static bar?

A properly maintained static bar will give you high performance  over its lifetime. Maintaining your static bar requires regular cleaning and  operational testing.

  1. Before cleaning, disconnect power to the static  bar.
  2. Using compressed air, blow the dirt from the face and casing of the  bar and mounting hardware. Make sure to direct the air stream inside the bar if  the points are enclosed.
  3. Using a stiff brush, clean the area around each  pin.
  4. To remove paint and ink buildup, use only Isopropyl alcohol. Wipe  off the solvent with a clean, dry rag. DO NOT hang rags on the static bar. This  could cause a fire.
  5. Visually inspect the cable, bar and power supply for  damage.
  6.  Test the operation of a random number of pins across the bar  using a SIMCO Static Bar Checker (part number IB00001). If any pins are not  working, check all pins and contact C.C. Steven Customer Service with the  results.

What are the overall and effective lengths  of a static bar?

The overall length is the distance from one end of the static bar  to the other. It excludes the strain relief on the cable output at the end of a  “straight-thru” cable exit, which can increase the operative effective length of  a bar by one or two inches. Overall length is important to know so you can  ensure that the bar fits inside the machine frame or within the confines of  other fixed obstructions in the area where the bar will be mounted.

The effective length is the distance between the ionizing  points at each end of the bar. For almost all static bars, the effective length  is shorter than the overall length. If you want to neutralize a web or sheet,  the effective length of the bar should be approximately the same as the width of  the web or sheet.

What is the difference between a  straight-thru and right angle cable exit?

Electrically powered static bars have a high voltage cable which  exits from one end of the bar and is connected to a high voltage power supply.  The most popular type of cable exit is a “straight-thru” exit, meaning it exits  on a straight line out of one end of the bar. If the mounting for a static bar  is particularly tight, many bars will allow a right angle cable exit, which  reduces the size of the area needed for mounting the bar.

What type of high voltage connections are used on your  bars?

SIMCO bars come with detachable connectors, rather than molded  connectors, for attaching a bar to a high voltage power supply. This allows the  cable to be trimmed to the desired length for a tidy installation.