Humidification for the electronics industry

The dryer the air, the quicker electrostatic charges occur and the stronger they are. Consistent protection against ESD (electrostatic discharge) has become imperative in production plants, especially due to the increasing miniaturization of electronic components. Electronic devices, printed circuit boards, and data are extremely sensitive to electrostatic discharges.

Electronic components can be damaged at a electrostatic discharge of just 100 V. However, electronic charges can be curbed by increasing the humidity of the air.

The damp air settles on ions, making them heavier and less mobile in the electrical field. With controlled humidification of the air, a film of moisture can form on the surfaces, making them conductive, despite the low density, and preventing a collection of electric charges.

Static charges

Static charge can occur during maintenance work, or on ungrounded components in the data center. This can lead to uncontrollable discharge shocks and the destruction of sensitive electrical components.

At a relative humidity of 50–55%, damp air increasingly settles on ions, making them heavier and less mobile in the electric field. The conductivity of the air and the material surfaces then increases, so that electrical charges are dissipated, which prevents the formation of potential differences.