What is BS EN 1149-3-Test methods for measurement of charge decay for protective clothing about?
BS EN 1149 is a European standard on protective clothing that discusses the test methods for measurement of charge decay for protective clothing to ensure protection to workers from workplace hazards due to dissipation of electrostatic charge.
BS EN 1149-3 is the third part of the BS EN 1149 series that specifies methods for measuring the dissipation of electrostatic charge from the surface of materials for garments.
The test methods under BS EN 1149-3 are applicable to all materials, including homogeneous materials and inhomogeneous materials with surface conducting fibres and core conducting fibres.
Two test methods are described for measuring the rate of dissipation of electrostatic charge of garment materials, i.e., the charge decay.
In both cases, the charge is monitored by observation of the electrostatic field it generates and this is done using non-contacting field measuring instruments. The principal difference between the methods is the technique used to generate the electrostatic charge.
Who is BS EN 1149-3-Test methods for measurement of charge decay for protective clothing for?
BS EN 1149-3 on the test methods for measurement of charge decay for protective clothing is useful for:
- Protective clothing manufacturers
- Protective clothing test personnel
- Occupational health and safety departments
- Risk assessment authorities
- Quality assurance departments
Why should you use BS EN 1149-3-Test methods for measurement of charge decay for protective clothing?
Charge decay is the migration of charge across or through a material leading to a reduction of charge density or surface potential at the point where the charge was deposited.
BS EN 1149-3 provides you with guidance on the test methods, sample preparation and conditioning applicable for both test methods, triboelectric charging (test method 1), induction charging (test method 2), calculation and expression of results, the procedure for the determination of the initial maximum field strength without a specimen, etc.
The test methods and procedures provided by BS EN 1149-3 assist you in improving the performance and quality of the protective clothing, enhancing safety, and ensuring protection to end-users from electrostatic discharge in areas where there is a risk of explosion.
With obedience and compliance to BS EN 1149-3, you can enhance protective clothing’s effectiveness and efficacy and manufacture a standardized high-quality product.
