Belt drive applications are sometimes located in potentially
explosive atmospheres requiring belts to be static conductive. This allows naturally generated static
electric charges to be dissipated into sheaves, shafts, bearings, etc. and safely
to ground. Static conductive belts are
required by various industries, such as the petrochemical industry. Until recently, static conductive synchronous
belts were only available on a made-to-order basis. PowerGrip® GT3® belts in 8mm
and 14mm pitches are now static conductive to ISO 9563. And Poly Chain® Carbon™
Volt™ has just been introduced.
Poly Chain belts have never met industry standards for belt conductivity until now. Poly Chain Carbon Volt belts utilize several
patented technologies that enable excellent conductive properties that are
retained much longer than any other belt available. Industry standards for belt conductivity (ISO
9563 for synchronous belts, ISO 1813 for V-belts, ARPM IP-3-3 for all belt
types) apply only to new belts. There
are no belt conductivity requirements for belts that are in service, and belt
conductivity properties are known to decline over time at a fairly significant
rate. Testing has shown Poly Chain
Carbon Volt conductive properties to retain much longer than conventional
belts, so are considered to be much safer over time.
Poly Chain Carbon Volt belt testing has not yet shown belt
conductivity properties to fall below ISO 9563 standards, so it may not be
unreasonable for conductivity to be retained throughout belt life. Even so, grounding brushes are always
recommended as a secondary means of dissipating static electric charges in belt
drive systems located in potentially hazardous environments.
Poly Chain Carbon Volt belts can be made in any standard
size, but are not yet available in every size.
Check with your local Gates Industrial Distributor for availability. If you have any questions, contact Gates
Product Application Engineering at ptpasupport@gates.com
or 303-744-5800.
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