How to Choose ESD Shoes
ESD shoes, also known as anti-static shoes, feature an upper made of anti-static fabric, providing excellent ESD discharge with low dust generation. The sole is made of PVC, offering comfort, lightweight construction, and durability. However, some anti-static shoes are of poor quality, so learning to distinguish between them is essential. Here are a few simple tips:
1. Choose Certified and Reliable Products
When purchasing, first confirm that the manufacturer has a national industrial product production license (not required for imported goods) and safety certification marks. Then check for the manufacturer's name and address, industrial product production license number, safety certification mark number, production date, the standard number followed in production, and whether a product certificate and instruction manual are included. Pay special attention to whether the shoes have the product name (or the words "electrically insulated" or "EH"), a lightning bolt symbol, shoe size, and withstand voltage rating. In addition, the distributor should be asked to provide the test report for the batch of goods, as well as the manufacturer's production license (this license is not required for imported goods) and safety mark certification, and the validity period should be checked. Copies of both documents should also be requested from the distributor.
2. Precautions for Use
Avoid contact with sharp objects, high temperatures, and corrosive substances when wearing any ESD shoes (boots) to prevent damage that could affect their electrical performance. Any shoes (boots) with corrosion or damage to the upper or sole should not be used as anti-static shoes (boots).
3. Choosing the Appropriate Type
Select different types of ESD shoes (boots) according to the workplace. Generally, electrically insulating leather shoes and electrically insulating cloth shoes with a voltage resistance of less than 15 kV are suitable for working environments with a power frequency voltage of less than 1 kV; electrically insulating rubber boots and polymer material boots with a voltage resistance of more than 15 kV are suitable for working environments with a power frequency voltage of more than 1 kV. Furthermore, when wearing electrically insulating leather shoes and electrically insulating cloth shoes, the working environment should be able to keep the shoe surface dry.
4. Check the appearance quality.
Check the upper for damage, inconsistent color, double stitches, skipped stitches, broken threads, uneven stitching; check the sole for glue separation or loose threads; check the outsole for over-vulcanization, under-vulcanization, or excessive vulcanization; etc.