Stat-X filter elements reduce hazardous electrostatic discharge and prevent electronic failure, development of oil degradation products, and destruction of filter elements in a system.
Replacing the conventional filter elements with Stat-X technology can increase hydraulic oil and filter service life by up to 20%.
Inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and innovative hydraulic oils are increasingly being used in industry.
These oils are typically sulphur and zinc-free and ashless as synthetic additives are used in place of zinc containing additives.
The lack of zinc additive reduces the oil’s conductivity, which can lead to problems in many industrial applications.
Low-conductivity oil can lead to high electrostatic discharge
If a low-conductivity oil flows through a conventional hydraulic or lubricating oil filter element, the fluid can develop a very high electrostatic charge because of charge separation effects.
If the charge exceeds certain limits, it will abruptly be released in the form of electric discharge.
The most typical form is a spark discharge, which can occur at various locations.
Electrostatic discharge problems
The following can result from electrostatic discharge in the system:
- Burnt or blocked filter elements
- Increased occurrence of oil degradation products (varnish) and therefore increased component wear and shorter oil change intervals
- Disruption of electronic components
- Deflagration in the tank, burnt breather filters
If discharge occurs outside the system, personal injury can be caused by painful flashovers. Machine safety and occupational safety are impaired, and urgent action is required.
Low-conductivity oil case study
An international machine tool manufacturer discovered that some customers were experiencing oil combustion residues, destroyed filter elements and, in some cases, failure of electronic components installed in the hydraulic system.
The machine tool manufacturer contacted HYDAC shortly after identifying the problem in the hopes of finding a solution.
The aim was to rectify disruptions to the electronics and to significantly lengthen the service life of the hydraulic oil and filter elements.
HYDAC filtration experts and the machine tool industry team analysed the problem on the premises of one of the affected machine owners.
Measurements, oil analyses and enquiries were carried out. It quickly became clear that the owners were using innovative hydraulic oils
with low conductivity in their machine tools and that this was causing the problems.
Further analyses and tests were conducted with different oil and filter combinations at HYDAC’s Fluid Care Centre.
This led to use of the Stat-X filter element technology, which was able to reduce the electrostatic charging in the system to a minimum.
The Stat-X solution is now used in all the manufacturer’s machines.
Replacing the conventional filter elements with Stat-X technology also increased the service life of hydraulic oil and filters by up to 20%.
Stat-X prevents electrostatic charging in critical applications
Stat-X filter elements prevent electrostatic charging in highly critical hydraulic and lubrication applications.
For many years, HYDAC has been working to combat electrostatic charging in hydraulic and lubrication systems and consequent system damage.
The Stat-X elements demonstrably reduce electrostatic charging with their special structure and media.
As the charge potential is almost zero, sparking is reliably suppressed.
Stat-X advantages
Stat-X filter element advantages include the following:
- System availability: reduction in unscheduled downtime.
- Conservation of resources: reduction in oil degradation products such as varnish and longer oil change intervals.
- Cost optimisation: reduction in maintenance costs and longer maintenance intervals.
- Machine and occupational safety: maximum safety for employees and machines due to a proven reduction of spark discharge, especially under cold-start conditions, and safe operation in potentially explosive areas.
- Longer system service life: the service life of the system is maximised.
For further information, visit https://www.hydac.com/en/reducing-electrostatic-discharges-with-stat-x to download the pdf on: ‘Reducing electrostatic discharges with Stat-X’.
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