Performance ESD Medium duty TPR Swivel caster wheel

What are ESD Casters?

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) casters are specialized wheels designed to prevent static electricity buildup and potential damage to sensitive electronic equipment. They achieve this through two key features:

• Conductive or Dissipative Materials: The wheels are made from conductive materials like rubber with carbon black or stainless steel, or dissipative materials with high surface resistivity. These materials allow static electricity to safely flow through the caster and into a grounded surface, preventing it from discharging into nearby electronics.

• Grounded System:  For conductive casters to function effectively, they need to be part of a grounded system. This means the casters should be used on a conductive floor or with a grounding strap to dissipate the static electricity.

How Do ESD Casters Work?

As ESD casters roll across a conductive floor or with a grounding strap attached, static electricity generated by the movement can transfer through the wheels. This static charge then travels through the conductive caster components and into the grounded surface, safely dissipating it. Dissipative casters work similarly, but with a slower rate of static discharge.

ESD Caster Applications:

ESD casters are crucial in various environments where sensitive electronics are handled or stored. Some key applications include:

• Electronics Manufacturing: ESD casters are essential on carts and equipment used in electronics assembly and cleanroom environments to prevent static discharge damage to delicate components.

• Data Centers:  Data centers house critical servers and networking equipment susceptible to ESD damage. ESD casters on server racks and mobile equipment help protect these components.

• Healthcare Facilities:  Modern medical equipment often contains sensitive electronics. ESD casters on medical carts and equipment ensure safe patient care and equipment functionality.

• Laboratories:  ESD casters are vital in laboratories where static electricity can ignite flammable materials or disrupt sensitive experiments.

Choosing the Right ESD Casters:

Different ESD caster types cater to specific needs. Consider factors like load capacity, floor type, required level of static dissipation, and ease of cleaning when selecting the ideal ESD caster for your application.