Monday, September 22, 2014

Introducing Poly Chain® Carbon™ Volt ™

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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