Desco TB-5512 Installation Manual

© 2009 DESCO INDUSTRIES INC.

Employee Owned

TB-5512 January 2009 Page 1 of 5

Bench Top Ionizer
Installation, Operation and Maintenance

Figure 1. 94020 Bench Top Ionizer

Description

The SPI Bench Top Ionizer (SP4511) is a compact and
lightweight steady state DC auto-balancing bench top
ionizer. The unit is normally placed at one end of the
workbench or area to be neutralized. It may also be
mounted to a wall or shelf. The Ionizer's neutralization
discharge time will be best approximately 12" to 48"
directly in front of the unit and will increase as the
distance from the unit increases.

Ionizers are useful in preventing electrostatic charge
generation, ElectroStatic Discharge, ElectroStatic
Attraction, as well as preventing equipment latch-up
and safety related shock. Per ANSI/ESD S20.20
section 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." 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 systems should not be used as a
primary means of charge control on conductors or
people. (Reference: EN 61340-5-2:1paragraph 5.2.9)

"The primary method of static charge control is direct
connection to ground for conductors, static dissipative
materials, and personnel. Acomplete 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." (ESD Handbook TR20.20 Ionization,
section 5.3.6.1 Introduction and Purpose / General
Information)

The SPI Bench Top Ionizer operates on DC, steady
state. Steady DC systems consist of separate negative
and positive ion emitters connected by a pair of high­voltage cables to their respective high-voltage power
supplies. The spacing between emitters varies
depending on the design, and DC power is constantly
applied to the emitter points.

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

• operation and maintenance cost

SPI Ionizers meet the ANSI/ESD S20.20 minimum
recommended technical requirement range of less than
+/- 50 volts voltage offset tested in accordance with
ANSI-EOS/ESD S3.1. All SPI Bench Top Ionizers
greatly exceed the requirement providing ±5 to ±25 volt
auto-balancing.

Packaging

1 Bench Top Ionizer
1 Power Cord (94020 only)
1 Emitter Point Cleaner Pack
1 Certificate of Calibration

Made in America

TECHNICAL BULLETIN TB-5512

ESD Systems.com • 432 Northboro Road Central • Marlboro, MA 01752 • [phone] • Fax [phone] • Website: ESDSystems.com

ESD Systems.com • 432 Northboro Road Central • Marlboro, MA 01752 • [phone] • Fax [phone] • Website: ESDSystems.com

© 2009 DESCO INDUSTRIES INC.

Employee Owned

TB-5512 January 2009 Page 2 of 5

Installation

Place the unit at a desired location where that the
airflow will not be restricted. Be sure that the ON/OFF
switch located on the rear of the unit is in the OFF
position. Plug the power cord into the unit and then
into the appropriate AC power source.

Operation
Air Injection Test

I. Set the fan speed switch on the rear of the unit to the
LOW, MED, or HI position (See Figure 1). Higher
airflow will result in faster neutralization rates.
II. Position the ionizer so that maximum airflow is
directed towards the items or area to be neutralized.

III. Turn the unit ON. When the unit is first turned on, it
conducts a self-test. The audible alarm will sound and
the LED will cycle through the colors red, yellow, and
green. The LED will remain green during normal
operation.

Figure 2. Rear View of the Bench Top Ionizer

Maintenance

"All ionization devices will require periodic maintenance
for proper operation." Maintenance intervals for
ionizers vary widely depending on the type of ionization
equipment and use environment. Critical clean room
uses will generally require more frequent attention. It is
important to set-up a routine schedule for ionizer
service. Routine service is typically required to meet
quality audit requirements." (ESD Handbook TR 20.20
paragraph 5.3.6.7 Maintenance / Cleaning)

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. The SPI Bench
Top Ionizer has a very desirable feature as it will
provide visual and audible alarms when an out of
balance exists. 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."

Calibration AND Adjustments

Balance Adjustment

The SPI Bench Top Ionizer is an auto-balancing unit.
However, tuning or manual adjustment can be
accomplished by inserting a small screwdriver or
trimmer adjustment tool into the balance adjustment
hole located at the rear of the unit (See Figure 1). To
increase the output in a positive direction, turn the
potentiometer clockwise. To increase the output in a
negative direction, turn the potentiometer counter­clockwise.

Maintenance / Alarms

WARNING - RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

THESE SERVICING INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOR USE
BY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL ONLY. DO NOT
PERFORM ANY SERVICING OF INTERNAL PARTS
UNLESS YOU ARE QUALIFIED TO DO SO.
NOTE: The AC power cord MUST always be
disconnected before the unit is disassembled.

The input voltage may be verified or reset by removing
the 3 screws located on the back of the unit then
removing the back case.

The input voltage can be selected using the two
internal jumpers shown in Figures 2 and 3.

If the supply voltage drops from 110 Volts to below 85

Figure 3. 110 Volt Jumper Setting

Figure 4. 220 Volt Jumper Setting