ESD occurs when there is a buildup of static in the oil; therefore, one of the best methods of preventing it is to ensure that the static levels remain low or are dissipated before they have a chance to wreak havoc on the system. The simplest and most common way of reducing this static is the installation of antistatic filters. These filters can help to remove static from the system before it builds up to dangerous levels, where it can burn the membranes or develop varnish.
Static in oil is inevitable – how you control and discharge it determines whether your system runs clean or burns itself from within.
Ensuring that the system is grounded correctly is another way to guarantee that any built-up static is removed. This is where your electricians can perform checks and install proper grounding devices for your equipment to safeguard against this buildup of static in the system. Therefore, if static charges get built up in the system, they can be dissipated without the effects of ESD.
If oils experience high levels of conductivity, they can conduct static. Typically, if the conductivity is above 100pS/m, there is potential for the fluid to conduct the charge and allow it to be discharged along the system without causing harm.
Unfortunately, there are base oils with low conductivity (below 100pS/m) that cannot carry the charge and dissipate more easily. As such, these types of oils will see an increase in the presence of ESD if not formulated correctly for modern lubrication systems.
As the viscosity of the oil decreases, more force is required to pass through the filters, which can lead to a buildup of static at a molecular level. Additionally, as temperatures decrease, the viscosity also decreases. In these cases, keeping the oil at the system temperature (designed for that particular viscosity) can help to reduce the buildup of static charge in the oil.
