TECHNICAL BULLETIN TB-6533
Benchtop Zero Volt Ionizer
Installation, Operation and Maintenance
Made in the
United States of America
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 61340-5-2:1 clause 5.2.9)
“The primary method of static charge control is direct
connection to ground for conductors, static dissipative
materials, and personnel. 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.
Figure 1. EMIT Benchtop Zero Volt Ionizer, Stainless
Steel
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 ESD TR20.20
Ionization, section 5.3.6.1 Introduction and Purpose / General
Information)
The EMIT Benchtop Zero Volt Ionizer operates on Steady
State DC. Steady State DC systems consist of separate
negative and positive ion emitters connected by a pair of
high-voltage 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. The ionizer utilizes feedback from the internal sensor
grill to continuously adjust the output to maintain balance
Figure 2. EMIT Benchtop Zero Volt Ionizer, Powder
Coat
Description
The EMIT Benchtop Zero Volt Ionizer is a compact and
lightweight steady state DC auto-balancing Benchtop
worksurface ionizer with integrated closed-loop feedback.
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. 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
Ionizer Selection
ANSI/ESD S20.20 section 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
EMIT ionizers meet the ANSI/ESD S20.20 required limit
of less than +/- 35 volts offset voltage balance tested in
accordance with ANSI/ESD STM3.1 and ESD TR53. All
EMIT Benchtop Ionizers provides superior ±5 to ±25 volt
auto-balancing.
The Benchtop Zero Volt Ionizer is available in four models:
Item
Voltage
Enclosure
50663 120 VAC Stainless Steel
50670 220 VAC Stainless Steel
50690 120 VAC Powder Coat
50691 220 VAC Powder Coat
EMIT - 3651 Walnut Avenue, Chino, CA 91710 • (909) 664-9980 • Website: DescoEMIT.com
TB-6533 Page 1 of 5
December 2019
© 2019 DESCO INDUSTRIES INC
Employee Owned
Packaging
Installation
1
1
1
1
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.
Benchtop Zero Volt Ionizer
Power Cord (50663, 50690 only)
Emitter Point Cleaner Pack
Certificate of Calibration
Features and Components
Operation
1. Set the fan speed switch on the rear of the unit to the
LOW, MED, or HI position (see Figure 3). Higher
airflow will result in faster neutralization rates.
2. Position the ionizer so that maximum airflow is directed
towards the items or area to be neutralized.
3. 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 3. Bench Top Zero Volt Ionizers features and
components
A. Power Cord Connection: Connect the power cord here.
B. Power Switch: Toggle the switch to the left to turn the
ionizer OFF. Toggle the switch to the right to turn the ionizer
ON.
C. Fan Speed Switch: Toggle the switch to the left to set
the fan speed to LOW. Toggle the switch to the middle to
set the fan speed to MEDIUM. Toggle the switch to the right
to set the fan speed to HIGH.
D. RS-485 IN: For manufacturer use.
E. RS-485 OUT: For manufacturer use.
F. Balance Adjustment: Turn the potentiometer
clockwise for positive adjustment. Turn the potentiometer
counter-clockwise for negative adjustment.
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 TR20.20 section 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. ANSI/ESD S20.20 section 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.”
CLEANING THE EMITTER POINTS
Under normal conditions, the ionizer will attract dirt and dust
(especially on the emitter points). To maintain optimum
neutralization efficiency and operation, cleaning should be
performed on a regular basis.
In the event of circuit failure, the unit will enter shutdown
mode.
When the unit enters shutdown mode, ionization will be
stopped, the LED on the front of the unit will illuminate a
constant red, and the audible alarm will continuously sound.
The user must then reset the unit by turning it OFF and back
ON.
The emitter points should be cleaned using the included
Emitter Point Cleaners or a swab dampened with Isopropyl
alcohol.
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Employee Owned
1. Turn the unit OFF and unplug the power cord.
2. Open the rear screen by
loosening the screw and
swinging the grill to one
side.
3.
Clean the emitter points
using the included 60506
Emitter Point Cleaners or a
swab dampened with
Isopropyl alcohol.
Voltage Selection Header
Power Jack
Jumpers
Figure 4. 110V jumper setting
4. Reattach the rear screen.
Voltage Selection Header
5. Plug in the power cord
and turn the unit ON.
6.
Power Jack
Verify the performance of
the ionizer by using a
charged plate monitor, or
ionization test kit.
The emitter points should not require replacement during
the life of the unit with normal handling. If necessary, item
60507 Replacement Emitter Points are available for order.
Adjustments and Compliance Verification
BALANCE OFFSET VOLTAGE ADJUSTMENT
The Benchtop Zero Volt 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 3). To increase the output in a positive
direction, turn the potentiometer clockwise. To increase
the output in a negative direction, turn the potentiometer
counter-clockwise.
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.
Jumpers
Figure 5. 220V jumper setting
If the supply voltage drops from 110 Volts to below 85 Volts
or from 200 Volts to below 170 Volts, the unit will shut down,
the audible alarm will beep and the LED will blink red. The
unit will automatically reset when the minimum voltage is
restored.
Auto-balancing closed-loop feedback technology can save
money and extend the maintenance interval of the ionizer.
What the sensor detects is that the offset voltage (balance)
has shifted and the circuits will attempt to compensate. In
the case of corona ionizers, one of the reasons for a shift in
offset voltage is frequently the particle buildup, commonly
called a ”fuzz ball”, observed on the emitter points.
Compliance Verification should be per ESD TR53. Offset
voltage (balance) and both polarity’s discharge time
should be checked on every ionizer periodically using an
Ionization Test Kit or a Charged Plate Analyzer. Measure
offset voltage (balance) and both polarity’s discharge
times. Clean the emitter points (with electrical power off),
adjust offset voltage (balance) to zero and then re-test for
offset voltage(balance) and discharge times recording the
measurements.
The input voltage can be selected using the two internal
jumpers shown in Figures 4 and 5.
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TB-6533 Page 3 of 5
© 2019 DESCO INDUSTRIES INC
Employee Owned
Neutralization (Discharge) Times
All data was taken with the fan speed set to high. All time measurements are in seconds.
12"
12"
TP1
+15.0
Charged Plate
-24.0
12"
TP4
+7.0
12"
TP7
-10.0
+7.5
TP10
-10.5
+9.5
-13.5
12"
Air Flow
TP2
+1.0
TP5
-1.4
+2.3
TP8
-3.3
+3.6
TP11
-5.1
+5.5
-7.6
Bench Top
Zero Volt Ionizer
12"
TP3
+26.0
TP6
-52.0
+10.0
TP9
-13.0
+8.5
TP12
-11.0
+9.5
-13.0
Figure 6. Neutralization (Discharge) Times at 120VAC / 220VAC, 60Hz input
12"
12"
TP1
+16.0
Charged Plate
-25.0
12"
TP4
+9.5
12"
TP7
-12.0
+11.5
TP10
-15.0
+15.5
-21.0
12"
Air Flow
TP2
+1.3
TP5
-1.8
+3.0
TP8
-4.1
+5.0
TP11
-6.5
+7.0
-10.0
Bench Top
Zero Volt Ionizer
12"
TP3
+38.0
-59.0
TP6
+11.0
-16.0
TP9
+10.0
TP12
-12.5
+11.0
-14.0
Figure 7. Neutralization (Discharge) Times at 100VAC, 50Hz input
EMIT - 3651 Walnut Avenue, Chino, CA 91710 • (909) 664-9980 • Website: DescoEMIT.com
TB-6533 Page 4 of 5
© 2019 DESCO INDUSTRIES INC
Employee Owned
Specifications
The comparative efficiency of Benchtop ionizers is
determined by a standard test published by the ESD
Association: ANSI/ESD STM 3.1. Typical positive and
negative decay times (1000V - 100V) measured using this
standard are shown in Figures 6 and 7. The performance of
the ionizer was measured with the unit positioned as shown,
with the fan speed on high and without a filter.
Input Voltage and
Frequency
Internally selectable for
100-120 VAC, 50/60 Hz or
220-230 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Power Consumption
12 W
Dimensions
(including stand)
9.5" H x 6.0" W x 3.1" D
(241 mm x 152 mm x 79 mm)
Weight
4.5 lbs (2.0 kg)
Balance (Offset
Voltage) at 12"
±3 V typical
±25 V maximum
Limited Warranty, Warranty Exclusions, Limit of
Liability and RMA Request Instructions
See the EMIT Warranty DescoEMIT.com/Warranty.aspx
Neutralization
< 2 seconds
(Discharge) Time at 12"
Airflow
Three-speed fan
50-100 CFM
Emitter Points
.050" diameter tungsten
Ion Emission
Steady-state DC with sense
feedback
Fuse
250 mA slow blow
High Voltage Power
Supply
5.5 kVDC nominal
Ozone
