Performance tester 156A

electrostatic discharge

The Model 156A Charged-Plate Monitor is an important tool for evaluating the performance of air ionizers used to neutralize static charges. The Model 156A tests the efficiency of an ionizers ion production by timing how long it takes air ions produced to discharge a floating plate that has been pre-charged to either a positive or negative value. The Model 156A also tests the balance between positive and negative air ions by measuring the offset voltage generated on a floating plate due to an imbalance of positive and negative air ions impinging on the plate from the ionizer. Typically, as an ionizer ages, the rates of positive and negative air ion production decline. Consequently, the time required for the ionizer to neutralize static charges increases, and the balance of positive and negative air ions changes. The neutralization (decay) time may become too long for the ionizer to fully neutralize charges that are generated at a work location, or the ionizer may begin to charge objects that were initially uncharged. Key Specifications Large Signal Bandwidth: DC to 10 Hz Decay Mode Thresholds: Start/Stop Voltages Programmable from 1 to ±1000 V in 1 V increments Start/Stop Accuracy Within ±1 V of programmed voltage Typical Applications Include ESD monitoring of sensitive manufacturing processes such as semiconductor, disk drive and LCD Testing of all types of ionizers, including room ionization systems, AC and DC blowers, nuclear ionizers, gun type ionizers, and pulsed DC ionizers High temperature applications ESD measurement of de-ionized water Dissipative testing applications