Dipping Operations - Electrostatic Detearing

Electrostatic detearing is the process of removing thick areas of paint from an item which has been coated by dipping. Only approved electrostatic equipment can be used in paint-detearing operations. Electrodes in the equipment must meet certain requirements, such as being:

• Substantial
• Rigidly supported
• Permanently located
• Effectively insulated from transferring electrical current to a grounded surface

Electrostatic detearing requires guidelines for safe operations, as follow:

• Support any items being deteared with a conveyor.
• Do not manually handle any items being electrostatically deteared.
• Maintain a minimum distance of twice the sparking distance between items being electrostatically deteared and the electrodes or conductors of the electrostatic equipment.
• Display the minimum distance on a sign located near the equipment.

Ensure the electrostatic equipment has automatic controls that disconnect the power supply to the high-voltage transformer, and signal the operator under certain circumstances, such as:

• The ventilation or the conveyors failing to operate.
• A ground occurring anywhere in the high-voltage system.
• Any items being located within twice the sparking distance of the electrodes or conductors of the equipment during electrostatic detearing.

Fences, rails, or a guard made of conducting material should separate paint-detearing operations from storage areas and from personnel.

To protect paint-detearing operations from fire, safety controls must be in place, such as automatic sprinklers or an automatic fire-extinguishing system.

Paint deposits should be collected using drip plates and screens. These plates and screens should be cleaned in a safe location.

To learn more about Dipping, Coating & Cleaning Operations visit our Dipping, Coating & Cleaning Operations Online Training web page.