BFN Ionizers: Balanced, Fast, Neutral Ionization
The BFN series ionizers from Transforming Technologies are dependable tools used in static control applications.
The ionizers are
- Balanced: They deliver a well-balanced flow ions for uniform static removal.
- Fast: They have fast decay times which means they remove static quickly
- Neutral: The ionizers leave the surface neutrally charged
Ionizers in Static Control for Electronics and Manufacturing
The use of ESD Air Ionizers in electronics work areas will remove the build-up of potentially damaging static charges. Ionizers deliver a balanced stream of positive and negative ions and are used primarily to control static charges on insulating materials such as standard plastic. Ionizers protect electronic devices from electrostatic potential that ESD wrist straps and bench top mats just can’t eliminate. Ionizers can also be used to neutralize static charges that can hold particulates and dust to a surface – loose particles can then be blown away with an ESD ionized air gun.
How Do They Work?
Ionizers are specialized equipment that produce ions with the use of either a single emitter point or multiple emitter points. An emitter point is a metal needle that conducts charge. When the voltage from an electrical power source is applied to an ionizer’s emitter point, it creates an electric field or “corona†around the emitter.
This corona of ions then interacts with electrons in nearby gas molecules. With the use of alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) the ionized air is pushed by the motor in the ionizer towards the surface you are aiming it at.
The primary function of an ionizer is to neutralize electrostatic charges on insulators and isolated (non-grounded) conductors to reduce the magnitude of electrostatic discharges in the ESD protected area. Point-of-use compressed air ionizers combat electrostatic attraction neutralizing charges on particles causing contamination or visual defects on products
Per ESD Association ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20 Ionization, section 5.3.6.1 Introduction and Purpose / General Information “A complete static control program must also deal with isolated conductors that cannot be grounded, insulating materials (e.g., most common plastics), and moving personnel who cannot use wrist or heel straps or ESD control flooring and footwear. Air ionization is not a replacement for grounding methods. It is one component of a complete static control program. Ionizers are used when it is not possible to properly ground everything and as backup to other static control methods. In clean rooms, air ionization may be one of the few methods of static control available.â€Â
