Big-Bag earthing control system
Newson Gale Earth-Rite FIBC
The Earth-Rite FIBC static earthing system is a revolutionary hardware system designed to ensure safe filling and emptying of type C big-bags (bags with conductive insert) used in hazardous areas.
The Earth-Rite FIBC was designed to meet the requirements of the pharmaceutical industry, but the device is used in every industry.
System components
- monitoring unit with an LED indicating the state of earthing (housing material – plastic or stainless steel on request), equipped with a pin for hanging/storing the clamp),
- earthing clamp that provides a better connection for the flexible materials of the big-bags,
- two-wire spiral cable in a protective hytrel casing of various lengths (the hytrel casing protects the cable against mechanical or chemical damage),
power supply unit in a GRP housing.
Important
When filling or emptying the flexible IBC type containers, earthing monitoring systems should be used to prevent product handling until the earthing system is connected to the container.
Principle of operation of the system
The monitoring clamp, which is almost completely isolated, except for the copper clamp, is connected to the lower earth point of the FIBC, thus creating a connection that allows the system to monitor the resistance of the FIBC to earth.
The controller verifies that the big-bag has been earthed correctly, i.e. that the electrostatic charges accumulated on it are properly discharged to earth. Correct earthing prevents electrostatic discharges, which can be a source of ignition and explosion of explosive atmosphere.
For electrostatic dissipating materials, select a system with a monitoring range appropriate to the container type. Type C FIBC containers shall be monitored with a resistance ≤ 1 x 108 Ω. For conductive or metallic materials, the resistance ≤ 10 Ω should be the value of the monitored resistance in combination with a designated earth point.
