Desco Chargebuster 60503

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TB-3097 Page 1 of 6

Employee Owned

DESCO WEST - 3651 Walnut Avenue, Chino, CA 91710 • (909) 627-8178

DESCO EAST - One Colgate Way, Canton, MA 02021-1407 • (781) 821-8370 • Website: Desco.com

Chargebuster® Plus Single-fan Ionizer

Installation, Operation, and Maintenance

November 2023

Description

The Desco 60503 Chargebuster® Plus Single-fan

Ionizer is used for neutralizing electrostatic charges

on insulators and ungrounded conductors. Its fast

discharge times (< 1 second at 12 inches) and ±10 volt

offset voltage exceed the required limits of ANSI/ESD

S20.20 and ESD TR53. The 60503 Chargebuster® Plus

Single-fan Ionizer monitors its offset voltage (balance),

and it alarms when emitter cleaning is required. A

built-in automatic emitter point cleaner periodically

brushes away dust and minimizes maintenance. The

emitters may be accessed for thorough cleaning with

the use of a single thumb screw. The Chargebuster®

Plus Single-fan Ionizer features a powder coated steel

enclosure, multi-mount stand, and terminal block with

alarm output for machine integration.

The Chargebuster® Plus Single-fan Ionizer operates on

Steady-state DC. Steady-state DC systems consist of

separate negative and positive ion emitters connected

by a pair of high-voltage cables to their respective

high-voltage power supplies. DC power is constantly

applied to the emitter points. The ionizer utilizes

sampling from its inner fan grill to continuously adjust

the output and maintain its offset voltage.

“The primary method of static charge control is direct

connection to ground for conductors, static dissipative

materials, and personnel. A complete static control

program must also deal with isolated conductors

that cannot be grounded, insulating materials (e.g.,

most common plastics), and moving personnel who

cannot use wrist or heel straps or ESD control flooring

and footwear. Air ionization is not a replacement for

grounding methods. It is one component of a complete

static control program. Ionizers are used when it is not

possible to properly ground everything and as backup

to other static control methods. In clean rooms, air

ionization may be one of the few methods of static

control available.” [ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20

Ionization, section 5.3.6.1 Introduction and Purpose /

General Information]

The Chargebuster® Plus Single-fan Ionizer and its

accessories are available as the following item numbers:

Item Description

60503 Chargebuster® Plus Single-fan Ionizer with

North America Power Adapter

60504 Replacement North America Power Adapter

Packaging

1 Chargebuster® Plus Single-fan Ionizer

1 Ground Wire

1 Power Adapter

1 North America Power Cord

1 Certificate of Calibration

Figure 1. Desco Chargebuster® Plus Single-fan Ionizer

Made in Japan

TECHNICAL BULLETIN TB-3097

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The Desco Chargebuster® Plus Single-fan Ionizer (model 60503) is a device designed to neutralize electrostatic charges on insulators and ungrounded conductors, playing a crucial role in static control programs. It achieves fast discharge times, typically less than 1 second at 12 inches, and maintains an offset voltage of ±10 volts, exceeding the requirements of ANSI/ESD S20.20 and ESD TR53. This ionizer operates on Steady-state DC technology, which involves separate negative and positive ion emitters connected to high-voltage power supplies. DC power is continuously applied to these emitter points, and the ionizer samples from its inner fan grill to continuously adjust its output and maintain the desired offset voltage.

Function Description:

The primary function of the Chargebuster® Plus Single-fan Ionizer is to provide air ionization, which is a critical component of a comprehensive static control program. While direct connection to ground is the primary method for controlling static charges on conductors, static dissipative materials, and personnel, air ionization addresses isolated conductors, insulating materials (like most common plastics), and moving personnel who cannot be grounded. It serves as a backup to other static control methods and is particularly useful in clean rooms where other grounding methods may be limited. The device works by generating a balanced stream of positive and negative ions that neutralize static charges in the surrounding environment.

Important Technical Specifications:

Input Voltage and Frequency (External Adapter): 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Power Output: 24 VDC, 1.7 A
Power Adapter Cable Length: 5.0' (1.5 m)
Power Cord Length: 5.9' (1.8 m)
Operating Environment: 50° to 104° F (10° to 40° C), 20 to 70% R.H.
Neutralization (Discharge) Time at 12": < 1 second
Offset Voltage (Balance) at 12": ±10 V typical
Ion Emission: Steady-state DC
Airflow: 128 CFM max. (3.63 m³/min)
Ozone: <0.05 ppm
Power Consumption: 20 W
Emitter Points: Tungsten
Dimensions (without stand): 7.9" H x 6.7" W x 2.8" D (200 mm x 170 mm x 72 mm)
Weight: 3.4 lbs (1.5 kg)
Certifications: UL
Patents: Japan 5,341,330
Country of Origin: Japan

Usage Features:

The Chargebuster® Plus Single-fan Ionizer is designed for ease of use and integration into various work environments.

Power Switch: A rocker switch turns the ionizer ON and OFF.
Ion Balance Dial: A flat-blade screwdriver is used to adjust the ion balance, allowing for fine-tuning of the ion output to maintain the desired offset voltage. Turning the dial clockwise increases positive ion balance, while counter-clockwise increases negative ion balance.
Fan Speed Dial: A Phillips-head screwdriver adjusts the fan speed, influencing discharge times. Clockwise rotation increases fan speed for faster discharge, while counter-clockwise rotation decreases it.
Status LED: A multi-color LED provides visual feedback on the ionizer's operational status:
- Green (Blinking once per 1.6 seconds): Normal operation.
- Orange (Blinking once per 1.6 seconds): Indicates that maintenance is needed or the ion balance dial is not set to 0V.
- Red (Blinking once per 1.6 seconds): Fan does not rotate.
- Red (Blinking twice per 1.6 seconds): High-voltage module failure.
- Red (Blinking three times per 1.6 seconds): Ion balance out of control.
- Red (Blinking four times per 1.6 seconds): Drive failure in emitter point cleaner.
Terminal Block: The ionizer features a terminal block for advanced integration.
- Power Input (Terminals 1 & 2): Accepts 24 VDC input from an external supply, useful when not using the included power adapter.
- Alarm Output (Terminals 3 & 4): Provides open collector output (up to 30 V and 100 mA) for machine integration, signaling an alarm condition.
- Emitter Point Cleaner Control (Terminals 5 & 6): These terminals can be wired to synchronize cleaning cycles across multiple ionizers, preventing simultaneous cleaning and potential power supply overload.
- Grounding (Terminal 7): Essential for grounding the ionizer when using the terminal block for power.
Multi-mount Stand: The ionizer comes with a multi-mount stand, allowing for flexible positioning on workbenches or machine stations.
Powder Coated Steel Enclosure: Provides durability and protection for the internal components.

Maintenance Features:

Regular maintenance is crucial for the optimal performance and longevity of the Chargebuster® Plus Single-fan Ionizer.

Emitter Point Cleaner: A built-in automatic emitter point cleaner periodically brushes away dust and minimizes manual maintenance. This feature helps maintain consistent performance by preventing particle buildup on the emitter points.
Emitter Access: The emitters can be easily accessed for thorough cleaning by removing a single thumb screw.
Cleaning the Enclosure: The enclosure should be wiped with a soft cloth moistened with water. If a stronger cleaning solution is required, a mild soap with water may be used. Other cleaning solutions are not recommended.
Cleaning the Emitter Points: When the emitter points become dirty, the internal circuitry automatically adjusts to emit an equal amount of positive and negative ions. The automated brushes will clean the emitter points by brushing them 8 times per cleaning cycle. This cycle runs hourly. Particulates on the emitter point may, however, inhibit ionization to a limited degree. The emitter points are located behind the front grills. A jet of clean, compressed air can be used to remove dirt on emitter points. For more rigorous cleaning, a cotton swab moistened with Desco 60504 Emitter Point Cleaner or isopropyl alcohol can be used to clean the points. It is important to disconnect the power before cleaning the emitter points to avoid electrical shock.
Calibration and Recalibration: The Desco Chargebuster® Plus Single-fan Ionizer is factory adjusted to provide optimum performance. However, field adjustments are not possible. To determine whether the ionizer is performing to specifications, the testing follows the procedure outlined in the standard for Ionization, ANSI/ESD STM3.1. Periodical recalibration is recommended annually to ensure continued compliance with ESD protective equipment and materials. Measurements should be taken using a charged plate monitor. Calibration should be performed in accordance with the ESD Association standard ANSI/ESD STM3.1. The ionizer positioned at a distance of 12 inches (30 cm) should have a neutralization (discharge) time of ±1000V to ±100V in less than 2 seconds, and the balance should be ±10V or better.