When it comes to manufacturing facilities in Houston, industrial hose is often one of the most fundamental factors for preventing static sparks and dangerous fires. Because of this, choosing a hose with the correct static dissipation level isn’t just a required task; it is an essential part of defending your facility from preventable danger. At J.W. Roberts, our team is fully equipped and knowledgeable in helping our clients choose the correct industrial hose and static dissipation properties for their specific needs – helping them significantly increase facility-wide productivity and safety.
Understanding the Hidden Threat of Electrostatic Discharge in Industrial Hoses
Even though you can’t see it, static electricity can be a massive hazard when it comes to heavy industrial settings. Oftentimes, it builds up slowly and unrecognizably as materials pass through the hose until it creates dangerous sparks. By understanding what static discharge is, you can better protect your facility, your product, and all of your team members from harm.
In simple terms, static discharge occurs when electricity flows between two electronically charged objects. On the smallest scale, one example could be the small shock you may feel when rubbing your socks on carpet. When your socks touch the carpet, you feel a shock because the friction builds up electricity in them.
While a small shock might seem inconsequential, on a larger scale, it can cause detrimental outcomes. When materials like powders, granules, or liquids continuously pass through industrial hoses, they cause large amounts of friction that eventually creates a large buildup of electrical charge. When this buildup grows large enough and if the industrial hose is not conductive, the energy can discharge to a grounded object and result in a spark.
In industrial settings, one small spark can be catastrophic. This is because of the large amounts of flammable materials, gases, and liquids that are typically key factors in industrial facilities. Because of the large-scale devastation one small spark can leave in its wake, investing in high-quality industrial hose is vital for your facility and its safety.
The Root Cause of Static Hose Buildup in Houston Industrial Facilities
Besides the mass amounts of friction growing from within the industrial hose due to the passing materials, there are other factors that contribute to static buildup.
The type of material flowing through the hose is often one of the biggest indicators of the electrostatic discharge levels. We call this the triboelectric series of material properties. This is a ranking system that assesses how much electrostatic discharge a specific material will conduct within an industrial hose. The number is calculated based on how many electrons they gain or lose when they are rubbed against another material, such as the hose. If both the material within the hose and the hose itself are highly conductive, it can have devastating outcomes for your facility. Because of this, the majority of industrial hoses are made with plastics or rubber.
While Houston’s high natural humidity can contribute to reducing static charges due to the heavy moisture in the air, controlled indoor climates can still be dangerous. This is especially prevalent in the winter months, when the air is colder and less humid. A lack of moisture in the air allows static charge to build up extremely easily on a variety of surfaces, leading to increased sparking during dry months or inside climate-controlled facilities.
The Critical Role of Electrical Conductivity in Industrial Hoses
While things like friction and low levels of humidity indoors can contribute to creating the electrical charge, the industrial hose can determine if the electricity turns into a dangerous spark or if it dissipates into thin air.
Industrial hoses dissipate static electricity by providing a low-resistance path for static charge to move toward the ground, safely and reliably. On the other hand, insulative hoses are industrial hoses that do not dissipate static electricity. Instead, they allow the charge to grow until it discharges in a spark.
The material they’re made from is what separates the different hose functions. Conductive hoses typically consist of materials such as:
- Neoprene: This is a synthetic rubber that is well-known for its conductivity, chemical resistance, and its ability to withstand extremely high temperatures. This makes it an excellent material for industrial hoses in an array of manufacturing facilities.
- Polyester: When they think of this synthetic fabric, many people think of clothing; however, manufacturers also widely use it as a conductive hose material for industrial applications. In many cases, you can pair polyester hoses with a neoprene coating for increased safety.
- Polyurethane: Known for being versatile, this material is the standard for abrasion resistance. This makes it an efficient industrial hose material by cutting back on material friction during the flow.
- Silicone: This material is very common for industrial hoses and can be used in a large variety of manufacturing facilities for various materials.
Companies only use insulative hoses for specific applications, such as preventing ice from forming on the hose during freezing temperatures. Manufacturers typically make these hoses from fiberglass, mineral wool, or foam.
Choosing the Right Industrial Hose For Optimal Safety and Efficiency
When it comes to choosing the correct industrial hose for your facility, there are many intricate deciding factors that must be considered – making a team of experts like J.W. Roberts an integral aspect of your process. The key factors our technicians will examine when guiding you through your decision include:
- Electrical resistivity: Choosing a hose material with an electrical resistivity level that matches the requirements of both the material and the facility is crucial. The scale used to calculate this figure is ohms. Higher levels of ohms are the industry standard, but as the levels decrease, the static dissipation pathway becomes significantly more direct.
- Material compatibility: The industrial hose’s material can’t just be dissipative; it’s also vital that the material is completely compatible with the raw materials it is moving. An incompatible material can result in the hose softening, cracking, and swelling. Eventually, it causes significant damage over time.
- Physical requirements: Besides the material being compatible with the product, the hose must also be able to withstand the unique environment of your facility. This could include the temperatures, the level of pressure, the bend radius, and the abrasion it may need to withstand.
Regardless of what type of industrial facility you are searching for an electrically resistant hose for, our team of experts can help. J.W. Roberts has been helping source industrial hoses for a myriad of different manufacturing facilities, such as food handling or even offshore oil rigs, and we can certainly help you find the perfect fit.
Prioritizing Industrial Safety With The Correct Static Dissipative Hose For Your Houston Facility
Within any bustling Houston industrial facility, a critical and thorough safety standard is a non-negotiable. Choosing the correct, best-performing static dissipative hose for your application is vital and not as complicated as it may seem. By choosing to work with J.W. Roberts, we can ensure the perfect industrial hose for your facility. We are the city’s top wholesale industrial hose distributor and are experts in keeping you, your facility, and your team safe in the workplace. Contact us today to get a free conductive industrial hose quote for your Houston facility!