Humidification to Combat Electrostatic and ESD

Get advice on anti-static humidification

Benefits

Using humidity to prevent electrostatic build-up and discharge has many benefits

Improved efficiency

Materials demonstrate improved manufacturing performance.

Enhanced safety

Prevents ESD, shocks and ignition hazards.

Protects electronic components

Avoids malfunctions and electronic product quality issues.

Reduce static build-up and ESD with humidity control
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Humidity protects

Low humidity substantially contributes to the accumulation of electrostatic charge and its eventual discharge (spark). Moisture in the environment facilitates the dissipation of electrical charges from surfaces. In dry conditions, insulating materials are more likely to retain these charges, thereby elevating the risk of static build-up. Conversely, increased atmospheric moisture enhances surface conductivity, enabling charges to dissipate more efficiently.

Electronic components are particularly sensitive to electrostatic and subsequent discharges. Humidity control is greatly beneficial in all ESD control program plans for electronic manufacturers. It can also be essential in environments where sensitive electronic devices are being used, such as data centres and medical scanning, to ensure optimum performance and prolong the life of components.

Optimal humidity improves productivity

Electrostatic build-up in manufacturing can greatly reduce efficiency. Materials can stick together or not position as they should on a production line. When surfaces need to be kept clean and hygienic, static can cause dust to be attracted to a material, resulting in contamination.

In environments with high heat gain or enhanced friction from conveying, static problems will become much worse. This can lead to machine downtime, reduced quality, increased waste and ultimately impact profitability.

An increase in static issues during the winter is a indicator that low humidity is a cause. Indoor humidity drops in colder weather. Investment in humidification can help maintain consistently high production no matter what the season.

Preventing static shocks

Electrostatic discharge and static shocks can be annoying in our daily lives, but it can be a serious health and safety risk in some manufacturing sectors. Massive charges can build-up in bodies such as wind turbine blades or plane fuselages during production. Uncontrolled discharge can harm people, cause accidents or even be life-threatening to susceptible individuals fitted with medical devices, such as pacemakers.

Even when a discharge does not cause any significant harm directly, a sudden shock can create a safety risk for anyone operating close to dangerous processes or heavy machinery. In areas with highly combustible materials, any risk of ESD must be mitigated.

Humidification is a holistic solution for ESD control across large production halls, where more localised solutions may be unpractical.

Reducing static build-up and ESD is beneficial in many industries and applications

Humidity control in the aerospace Industry
Humidity control for cleanrooms and laboratories
Data Centres
Humidity control for universities
Humidity Control for Electronics Manufacturing
Humidity Control for Explosives and Ammunnition
Optimal humidity in the pharmaceutical industry
Semiconductor manufacturing precision humidity control
Military storage
Image Automative manufacturing Feed
Automotive manufacturing
Image Chemical industry Feed
Chemical industry
Composites, Carbon fibres and Plastics
Humidity control for packaging facilities
Humidification for paint spray booths and surface finishing
Humidification in the paper and pulp industry
Humidity control for printing facilities
Textile manufacturing humidity control
Wind Turbine Manufacturing Cooling & Humidity Control
Optimal humidity in the wood industry
Image Conveyor technology Feed
Conveyor technology
Humidity control in office environments
Residential Homes humidification and humidity control
Humidity control for veterinary surgeries & animal houses

Podcast: Control static by contolling humidity

In this interview, Dave Marshall-George, Sales Director at Condair, explains why static build-up occurs at low humidity, the issues it can cause in industrial and commercial situations, and how best to control it through humidification of the indoor environment.

Discover Condair in action

Projects and references

Fujifilm, UK

A Condair JetSpray humidification system is maintaining an ideal 40-60%RH (relative humidity) in the Fujifilm Imaging and Innovation Centre in Bradford to provide the optimum atmospheric conditions for their paper storage and printing areas.
Fujifilm, UK

Aston Martin

Condair JetSpray humidification systems are maintaining the humidity in the finishing areas at Aston Martin's Newport Pagnell and Bloxham plants. By maintaining a level of humidity at 55%RH, any dust that is in the atmosphere around the cars is suppressed, giving a much finer finish during the painting and sanding processes.
Aston Martin, UK

Harrier Group, UK

Harrier Group, a leading UK digital printing firm, has invested in four Condair RS restive steam humidifiers to maintain the perfect production environment in its newly-designed, high-tech print room.
Harrier Group, UK

Facebook / Meta, Sweden

This data centre in Lulea Sweden is one of the world™s most efficient and sustainable data centres. It is powered with locally generated hydro-electric energy and uses the cold Nordic air to cool the servers that store Facebook users˜ photos, videos, comments and likes.

Condair evaporative humidifiers add up to 22,800 litres per hour to the air in the penthouse ventilation systems to maintain the humidity to ASHRAE standards across the data halls.
Facebook/Meta, Sweden

Fogra Forschungsinstitut für Medientechnologien e.V., Aschheim (Germany)

"Fogra “ researches, tests, certifies": Under this motto, the Research Institute for Media Technologies develops application-oriented solutions for quality assurance in the printing industry. "We are the TÃœV of the printing industry worldwide and provide answers to the question of how print results can look consistent for different machines, materials and processes," says Managing Director and Institute Director Dr. Eduard Neufeld, summarizing Fogra's tasks.
Fogra Research Institute Aschheim, Germany

BluePrint AG, München (Germany)

BluePrint AG is the first German commercial printing company to use a Landa Nanographic printing press. To protect against electrostatic charges, the company uses an energy-saving high-pressure nozzle air humidification system from Condair Systems.
RDP_en-GB

Albrecht Dürer Airport, Nürnberg (Germany)

Since 2019, direct room air humidification in the area of the security control area of Nuremberg Airport has ensured a consistently optimal humidity of 40 percent. The system, which is used in addition to duct humidification, protects employees and departing passengers from electrostatic discharges and at the same time makes a valuable contribution to greater well-being and health.
Albrecht Dürer Airport, Nuremberg - Germany

Asteelflash Hersfeld GmbH, Bad Hersfeld

Air Humidification in the electronic industry Asteelflash is the second largest electronic manufacturing services provider in Europe. More than 5,000 employees at 18 production sites worldwide work for the group of companies headquartered in France. The facility in Bad Hersfeld produces integrated electronic systems and modules for the automotive industry, among other things. Asteelflash is using direct room air humidification to protect the health of employees and for quality assurance in the assembly of PCBs.
Asteelflash, Bad Hersfeld - Germany

Actelion Business Center

Das imposante Gebäude im Stil des Dekonstruktivismus ist Hauptsitz des Pharmaunternehmens Actelion Ltd und wurde von den Schweizer Stararchitekten Herzog de Meuron entworfen. Die balkenartige Architektur erstreckt sich über sechs Stockwerke und bietet ungewohnte Durch- und Ausblicke, Erholungszonen mit Höfen und Terrassen sowie eine moderne Arbeitsatmosphäre für 350 Mitarbeiter. Durch die dreidimensionale Stapelung der Fassade waren 1.500 Detailzeichnungen, 2.500 Tonnen Stahl und 3,8 Kilometer Fachwerkträger notwendig, um den statischen Lastabtrag zu realisieren. Für ein optimales Raumklima ist durch innovative Hybrid-Luftbefeuchter der Serie DL von Condair bestens gesorgt.
Actelion Business Center, Switzerland

The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Switzerland

The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich is probably the best-known university in Switzerland and secures one of the top positions in the global ranking of universities on a regular basis. Founded in 1855 as the Swiss Federal Polytechnic, ETH is primarily dedicated to the technical, mathematical and scientific fields. Condair steam humidifiers ensure healthy and comfortable air humidity in the labs and classrooms.
ETH Zürich, Switzerland

Cern, Meyrin (Geneva), Switzerland

CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is a leading institution in modern physics and nuclear research. It attracts international scientists and engineers to explore the fundamental properties of the universe, notably through its Large Hadron Collider, where atoms are accelerated to nearly the speed of light and collide.

Visitors to CERN can gain engaging insights into particle physics at the Globe of Science and Innovation. This interactive exhibit offers a deeper understanding of CERN's fascinating research projects, while our Condair RS steam humidifiers ensure optimal air moisture levels for a comfortable experience.
Cern Nuclear Research

Gelbert ECOPrint, Budapest (Hungary)

We had been using our first Draabe air humidification system since 2007. Since then, we have never had any more problems with electrostatics or paper warping, especially in winter. Based on the good experience, it was clear to us that we would use a Draabe system again in the new production building.

Ferrari, Maranello, Italy

Ferrari™s historic headquarters in Maranello was modernized in 2010 with advanced production facilities, including a high-tech wind tunnel and hybrid engine test stand. Condair™s resistance steam humidifiers ensure precise humidity control, supporting the development of Ferrari™s next generation of high-performance sports cars.

The Condair RS steam humidifiers boast patented limescale management which prevents permanent deposition of limescale on heater rods. Limestone crusts are successively detached and removed from the steam cylinder into the limescale collection vessel. Limestone management ensures extremely short waiting times and a long life.
The innovative control system fitted with a touch display ensures outstanding transparency of function and precise steam delivery. The units are the result of decades of experience and they define the state of the art in modern steam humidification.
Ferrari Factory, Maranello - Italy

Hewlett Packard

HP Inc. (often known now as just "HP") is an American technology company. It develops and provides hardware, such as personal computers and printers.
Hewlett Packard, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona - Spain

HELLA

The HELLA Group develops and manufactures lighting, electronic components and systems for the automotive industry.
Hella GmbH & Co. Germany

Quotes from our customers

Aston Martin

Alan Darrock

We need a reliable, effective humidification system to ensure that we can achieve the utmost finish to our cars. Since the new equipment was installed, we have seen improvement in the quality of the paint finish, and our workforce now keep the doors closed. We have been more than pleased with the service and skill that Condair offers and will be using them in other production areas.
Harrier Group

Jeremy Rawley

Safety and Facilities Manager
We already knew Condair, as we have a couple of their units in other print rooms. The quality of their equipment is right up there. Paper is susceptible to changes in environmental conditions so humidity is really important. Their service is second to none as well. We work to tough deadlines and one of the key things for us is that Condair could supply the equipment quickly within the required timescale.

Having a local service engineer on call to maintain them in tip-top condition is important for us too.
V-ZUG, Switzerland

Adrian Theiler

COO
Our aim is to prevent, reduce and offset CO2 emissions.
Albrecht Dürer Airport, Nürnberg (Germany)

Thomas Harrer

Head of Building Services
"Not least because of the energy costs, however, we decided in favor of adiabatic direct room air humidification with high-pressure nozzles."
Asteelflash Hersfeld GmbH, Bad Hersfeld (Germany)

Felix Timmermann

General Manager EEMEA Region
‘In-room humidification makes an important contribution to optimising our production processes and at the same time has a very positive effect on the well-being and health of our employees.’
BluePrint AG, München (Germany)

Gerhard Meier

CEO
"In-room humidification and process water from Condair guarantee us additional process reliability and quality assurance."
Fogra Forschungsinstitut für Medientechnologien e.V., Aschheim (Germany)

Dr. Eduard Neufeld

CEO
"The in-room humidification system ensures homogeneous humidification and reliable compliance with the required standard climate in all rooms thanks to the individual units."
Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA, Recklinghausen (Germany)

Martin Ennemann

Facility Management
"Air humidification is a stable factor in our quality assurance, both for ESD protection of our production as well as for the satisfaction of our Employees with the indoor climate."

Frequently asked questions

Does humidity reduce static?
Why does humidity reduce static?
Is humidity control required when anti-static devices are used?
Get free expert advice

If you want to explore your options for humidity control, Condair's expert sales engineers will visit your site, review your project and talk you through their recommendations.

Alternatively, if you would prefer a call or online meeting, our team are always happy to discuss possible solutions and offer free technical advice.

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An indoor humidity of >40%RH will effectively reduce static build-up. Learn how to manage static with humidity.
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Condair RS

Innovative scale management removes the separated minerals from the steam cylinder during operation and automatically conveys them into the designated scale collecting tank. Scale deposits are thus continuously removed from the steam cylinder.
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The Condair ME provides low energy humidification and evaporative cooling to an air handling unit or duct. A single unit can provide up to 1,080kg/hr of humidification and 740kW of evaporative cooling to an air stream while operating on less than 1kW of electricity. This system is designed with advanced hygiene technologies, including aerosol-free humidity control and optional UV water treatment.
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Condair PureHum 1000 Pro

The Condair PureHum 1000 Pro is a high-performance humidifier and air purifier designed for large indoor spaces. It delivers precise humidity control while filtering out dust, allergens, and pollutants, creating a healthier and more comfortable environment. With ultra-quiet operation, energy-efficient performance, and minimal maintenance, it’s ideal for offices, museums, and art galleries.
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