TB-6531 December 2009 Page 1 of 3
Portable Ionizing Air Gun
Operation and Maintenance
Figure 1. Portable Ionizing Air Gun, EMIT Item 50627
Description
The EMIT Portable Ionizing Air Gun is a ready-to-use
unit for use in applications and areas where
electrostatic charge can create manufacturing or
handling problems. This unit quickly and effectively
neutralizes bulk static charges and aids in controlling
contamination by dislodging dust and debris attracted
by static electricity.
The Portable Ionizing Air Gun meets or exceeds the
recommended technical requirements of ANSI/ESD
S20.20 tested in accordance with ANSI/ESD S3.1.
The Portable Ionizing Air Gun is designed for
point-of-use applications. Ionizers are useful
in preventing electrostatic charge generation,
ElectroStatic Discharge, and ElectroStatic Attraction.
ANSI/ESD S20.20 Paragraph 6.2.3.1 Protected
Areas Requirement states: “Ionization or other
charge mitigating techniques shall be used at the
TECHNICAL BULLETIN TB-6531
© 2009 DESCO INDUSTRIES INC.
Employee Owned
workstation to neutralize electrostatic fields on all
process essential insulators if the electrostatic field is
considered a threat.” Ionization is used to neutralize
charges on process necessary insulators and isolated
semiconductors. Some examples of process necessary
insulators are: the PC board itself, plastic test stands,
plastic housing where a PCB may be mounted, as well
as computer monitor screens and regular cleaning
wipes. Examples of floating or isolated conductors are:
loaded PCB mounted in a stand where the pins are not
contacting the dissipative workstation.
NOTE: The unit is not recommended for continuous
use.
THEORY OF OPERATION
The emitter is located inside of the nozzle. This emitter
produces large amounts of positive and negative
ions, which mix with the air supply and create a highly
effective neutralizing field. Any material within this
field will be neutralized rapidly. The ionizing air flow
removes contamination by dislodging dust and debris
which is attracted to a material’s surface by static
charges. Once static charges are neutralized, dust
particles and other forms of contamination are freed
and carried away by the air stream. EMIT ionizers
meet the ANSI/ESD S20.20 minimum recommended
technical requirement range of less than ±50 V voltage
offset tested in accordance with ANSI EOS/ESD S3.1.
The EMIT Portable Ionizing Air Gun provides ±30 volt
balance.
CAUTION
•ThePortableIonizingAirGunisnotwaterresistant,
therefore, keep it away from water and mist as they
will cause short circuit and insulation failures
•Keeptheairgunawayfromvibration,corrosive/
flammable gas and dust as they can be the cause of
fire, short circuits, rust, etc
•DonotoperatethePortableIonizingAirGunnearthe
face
•KeepthePortableIonizingAirGunawayfrom
children
•DONOTusethePortableIonizingAirGunfor
purposes other than its designed purpose
•DONOTdamagethenozzleorconnectors
•DONOTdisassembletheunit
EMIT-3651WalnutAvenue,Chino,CA91710•(909)664-9980•Fax(909)627-7449•Website:DescoEMIT.com
