Desco 19500 Installation Manual

systems should not be used as a primary means of charge
control on conductors or people. (Reference: IEC 61340-5­2:1 paragraph 5.2.9).

The bench top ionizer is NIST calibrated and is available in
two models. Both models come equipped with universal IEC
cord connectors.

Model Voltage / Hz IEC Cord

19500 120 / 50-60 Yes
19520 220 / 50-60 No

IONIZER SELECTION

ANSI/ESD S20.20 paragraph 6.1.1.2. ESD Control Program
Plan Guidance states: "The Plan should include a listing of
the specific type of ESD protective materials and equipment
used in the Program." When selecting an ionizer life cycle
costs should be considered including: equipment cost;
installation cost; and operation and maintenance cost.

The unit is normally mounted at one end of a workbench or
area to be neutralized. It may also be wall mounted or
mounted on a shelf. The ionizer’s decay time (neutralization
efficiency) will be best from approximately 6" to 42" in front
of the unit, and will drop off as the distance from the unit
increases.

Figure 2. Area of optimum charge neutralization.

Installation

Remove the ionizer from the carton and inspect for shipping
damage. Included with the unit should be:

1 power cord, 6' IEC type (120V only)
1 cleaning brush
1 filter and guard assembly

Figure 1. Bench Top Ionizer

Description

This ionizing unit is a self-balancing bench top ionizer. The
ionizer’s patented* Faraday Balance System assures
perfect ion balance automatically. It offers greater efficiency
and easier cleaning than conventional ionizers. The Bench
Top Ionizer is designed to neutralize static electricity from
insulators in localized work areas in assembly rooms, wave
solder lines, laboratories, QC, test stations, packing and
shipping areas and clean rooms.

Ionizers are useful in preventing electrostatic charge
generation, ElectroStatic Discharge, ElectroStatic Attraction,
as well as preventing equipment latch-up and safety related
shock. ANSI/ESD S20.20 Paragraph 6.2.3.1 Protected
Areas Requirement states: "Ionization or other charge
mitigating techniques shall be used at the workstation to
neutralize electrostatic fields on all process essential
insulators if the electrostatic field is considered a threat."
Ionization is used to neutralize charges on process
necessary insulators and isolated semiconductors. Some
examples of process necessary insulators are: the PC
board itself, plastic test stands, plastic housing where a
PCB may be mounted, as well as computer monitor screens
and regular cleaning wipes. Examples of floating or
isolated conductors are: loaded PCB mounted in a stand
where the pins are not contacting the dissipative
workstation. Ionization is not effective on items that have
large capacitance, like people and carts; however, ionizers
should be considered as a method for charge neutralization
in cases where grounding cannot be achieved.

Air ionization can neutralize the static charge on insulated
and isolated objects by producing separate charges in the
molecules of the gases of the surrounding air. When an
electrostatic charge is present on objects in the work
environment, it will be neutralized by attracting opposite
polarity charges from the ionized air. Note that ionization

TB-2016 December 2008 Page 1 of 4

Bench Top Ionizer
Inst allation, Operation, and Maintenance

DESCO WEST - 3651 Walnut Avenue, Chino, CA 91710 • [phone] • Fax [phone]

DESCO EAST - One Colgate Way, Canton, MA 02021-1407 • [phone] • Fax [phone] • Web Site: http://www.desco.com

Made in America

*Manufactured under U.S. patent #5,008,594

© 2008 DESCO INDUSTRIES INC.

Employee Owned

TECHNICAL BULLETIN TB-2016

TB-2016 Page 2 of 4

Figure 3. Wall or shelf mounting of the ionizer.

Mount the unit in the desired position. You can bolt the
stand to a wall or under a shelf as desired. For best results,
the unit should be mounted so that no obstructions exist
between the output area and the area to be neutralized.

Set both front panel rocker switches in the “off” position.
Connect the IEC plug into the connector on the back panel

of the ionizer, press firmly to ensure that the cord is
properly attached. Install the power cord into a properly
grounded outlet. The bench top ionizer must be grounded
for proper operation. We recommend Item #98130 to check
ground point.

Operation

Turn on the power switch and adjust fan speed for the
desired air flow. Higher air flow will result in a faster
neutralization rate.

Aim the unit so that the maximum airflow is directed at the
items or area to be neutralized.

The left rocker switch turns on a heater which will raise the
temperature of the output air to about 10°F above ambient.
The heater is only to offset the chill factor of the moving air.
It is not intended to warm the workstation.

If the ionizer is used in a manner not specified by the
manufacturer, the protection provided by the ionizer
may be impaired.

Maintenance

"As with all ionizers, periodic maintenance will be needed to
provide optimum performance." (Reference: IEC 61340-5­2:1paragraph 5.2.9).

The frequency of monitoring ionizers really depends on how
and where they are used. Since the majority of them use a
fan to transport the ions to the working area, the cleanliness
of the air directly affects their performance over time and
how often the emitters should be cleaned.

EIA-625 recommends checking ionizers every 6 months,
but this may not be suitable for many programs particularly
since an out-of-balance may exist for months before it is
checked again. ANSI/ESD S20.20 paragraph 6.1.3.1
Compliance Verification Plan Requirement states: "Test
equipment shall be selected to make measurements of
appropriate properties of the technical requirements that are
incorporated into the ESD program plan." And paragraph

6.1.3.2. Compliance Verification Plan Guidance states: "In
addition to internal audits, external audits (Organization and
supplier of ESDS items) should be performed to ensure
compliance with planned requirements. Verifications should
include routine checks of the Technical Requirements in the
Plan. The frequency of verification checks should be based
on the control item usage, its durability and associated risk
of failure."

Under normal conditions, the ionizer will attract and
accumulate dirt and dust (especially on the emitter
electrodes). To maintain optimum performance, cleaning
must be performed on a regular basis. The electrodes
should be cleaned at least as often as indicated in the next
section. However, more frequent cleaning may be required
if used in environments with more contaminants.

METHOD 1 (At least every 6 months)

The Bench Top Ionizer comes with an easy-cleaning brush
which should be stored in a convenient location. It is
important to disconnect power to the ionizer. Then slide
the brush through the grill and across the electrodes
several times to remove the dirt and dust.

Figure 4. Cleaning the electrodes (Method 1).

METHOD 2 (Annually)

To remove heavier accumulations of dirt and dust, use
clean, compressed air. Disconnect power to the ionizer. With
one hand firmly on top of the ionizer, aim compressed air
through the front grill, directly at pins. Afew passes back
and forth with the nozzle is sufficient.

Figure 5. Cleaning the electrodes (Method 2).

DESCO WEST - 3651 Walnut Avenue, Chino, CA 91710 • [phone] • Fax [phone]

DESCO EAST - One Colgate Way, Canton, MA 02021-1407 • [phone] • Fax [phone] • Web Site: http://www.desco.com

© 2008 DESCO INDUSTRIES INC.

Employee Owned