What is included with a BenchPro™ ESD workbench system?
(From the BenchPro FAQ with additional information
added by KroyTech)
BenchPro's ESD static dissipative workbench system includes 2 grounding lugs, 2 wrist strap jacks, 2 green grounding wires and LisStat™ ESD laminate. Wrist straps not included.
BENCHPRO'S ADVANCED ESD SYSTEM VS COMPETITORS
1. Competitors'
ESD laminate: Its important to know that
most of our competitors use two other brands of “ESD laminate” which simply dip a sheet of regular Formica®
into a chemical bath, then dry the sheet. These sheets come from the laminate dipper with a label which, to paraphrase
it, reads “Do not clean with any products containing water, ammonia, chlorine, or soap.” We have replaced hundreds
of competitors' tops which have lost their ESD properties over time, even though they followed all the manufacturer
instructions. You see, human perspiration contains water too.
2. BenchPro uses their own LisStat™
ESD laminate on the top and all four edges.
As surprising as it sounds most other companies either use a non-dissipative rubber strip or use economy nonconductive
laminate on the edges. If you already have a competitors’ ESD bench, you can spot this by checking to see if the
laminate looks identical in color, thickness and texture. If it looks different, check the surface resistivity.
It won’t be the same.
3. Aluminum Underside: We are the only
bench manufacturer to use an aluminum sheet to seal the underside of our tops and to assure conductivity and redundancy. While other makers either leave the core particleboard
uncovered on the bottom, paint the bottom or apply a brown paper sheet, we use the only material which completely
seals out moisture. This is important too, as this moisture is the only reason tops warp, and leaving a nonconductive
bottom sheet can cause problems in sensitive work areas. By putting the aluminum on the bottom, there are two ways
that static can travel.
4. Multiple Grounding Systems: While other brands of benches tout a very special bolt
used to ground the surface of the laminate to their grounding system wires, we have eliminated this bolt (and
the wires). Because all BenchPro bench tops are designed with a full 180° degree radius on the front edge of
the top, and because the front laminate wraps under the top in the front, we simply place the frame where the fastening
screws go through the laminate. This conducts the static charge directly into the frame, which is in turn grounded
by two conductors we provide for earth grounding. All ESD shelves have the same grounding system too.
The frame on BenchPro workbenches is conductive
from every point. The top mounts to the
frame with a series of fasteners around the perimeter of the frame top. On the front, these connectors each ground
the radiused front edge of the top to the frame, eliminating the possibility of ground failure found on benches
with bolts through the top and wires on the underside. Our
exclusive ESD design eliminates all bench grounding system failures.
The two front legs have banana jacks on both front legs to accept ESD wrist straps. The back of the frame has two
mounting lugs for access to the closest grounding source. (Note: Daisy chaining more than two or three benches
in series for grounding is not recommended.)
BenchPro ESD work benches are not connected electrically to the floor. We use isolative floor glides, so static charges will pass only through the grounding system provided.
ABOUT LISSTAT™ ESD LAMINATE
BenchPro ESD laminate is the best in the industry. LisStat ESD laminate controls the static dissipation rate to meet all American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/ESD Association S20.20 and Federal GSA ESD standards. LisStat ESD laminate carries the static charge across a center carbon sheet layer which is just below the surface color layer. This center carbon layer insures years of dependable use. Over the years, we have tested all inexpensive non-carbon-based "ESD laminates" made in countries all over the world and found in every case that their ESD properties degraded over time, especially with regular washing. Because of LisStat's carbon core technology the laminate retains its electrical properties for many years.
All of our customers have been extremely pleased with BenchPro's quick warranty replacement practice.
