Why is ShadowFX Carpet Static Dissipative and Not Conductive?

Background image shows an illustration with a close up of an ohmmeter. The title Conductive versus Dissipative Flooring: Does It Matter? is displayed in bold white text against a rectangle of dark blue grey at the bottom of the image and just above is the Staticworx logo.
Play Video about Background image shows an illustration with a close up of an ohmmeter. The title Conductive versus Dissipative Flooring: Does It Matter? is displayed in bold white text against a rectangle of dark blue grey at the bottom of the image and just above is the text "Static Shorts with Dave Long - Right from my Den" and the Staticworx logo
Background image shows an illustration with a close up of an ohmmeter. The title Conductive versus Dissipative Flooring: Does It Matter? is displayed in bold white text against a rectangle of dark blue grey at the bottom of the image and just above is the Staticworx logo.
Play Video about Background image shows an illustration with a close up of an ohmmeter. The title Conductive versus Dissipative Flooring: Does It Matter? is displayed in bold white text against a rectangle of dark blue grey at the bottom of the image and just above is the text "Static Shorts with Dave Long - Right from my Den" and the Staticworx logo

What is the difference between dissipative and conductive?

Think of it this way: static dissipative is to parachute as conductive is to free-fall.

Image is split to show two photographs. On the left hand side is a photo of a parachuter. On the right hand side is a photo of a group of people in freefall.

How do I know if the carpet or floor is conductive or dissipative?

A dissipative floor delivers electricity to ground at a controlled but effective rate – like a soft landing. A floor that’s too conductive moves electricity with very little resistance – like a hard landing. Conductive carpet moves electricity too fast to meet electrical safety recommendations and resistance standards for computer rooms, call centers and other spaces where people might accidentally make contact with electricity.

How do I know if a material is conductive or dissipative? Follow the standards:

Conductive:     > 1.0 x 10E6 (below 1 million) ohms

Dissipative: 1.0 x 10E6 – 1.0 x 10E9 (1 million to 1 billion) ohms

Graphic labeled “System Resistance to Ground”. The illustration below shows a woman (labeled “Person wearing ESD shoes”) holding a wand (labeled “Metal want”). The floor beneath her has the ground symbol extending from it and is labeled “Grounded ESD floor”. The metal wand is connected to an ohmmeter (labeled “Wide ranging ohmmeter”). The ohmmeter also has a connection to ground.
Illustration on a gray background titled "ANSI/ESD STM7.1 Resistance Tests". On the right side a "Point to Point" test set up is shown, with two probes connected to a surface analog resistance meter and placed 36" apart on the surface being tested. On the right side, the "Point to Ground" set up is shown with a surface analog resistance meter connected to ground and also to a probe on the surface being tested.

Electrical testing by an independent lab shows that conductive carpet allows more than 100 times more amps of electricity than static-dissipative carpet – even though both types of carpet prevent static problems equally – regardless of application. The same lab found that conductive Carpet carries dangerous electrical currents over 4 times the Lethal limit recognized by OSHA.

What do the standards say?

Since 2005, international standards organizations and grounding guideline documents have required ESD flooring to measure at a minimum electrical resistance of 1,000,000 ohms (1.0 x 10E6) in end-user environments where electrified equipment is in use.

Some conductive carpet products measure as low as 2.5 x 10E4 (25 thousand) ohms or lower – 40 times more conductive than recommended safety standards.

FAA-019f, Section 4.1.3.3.2, for instance, contains a safety warning saying “conductive materials shall not be used for floor mats, carpeting or other flooring where personnel may be in contact with energized electrical or electronic equipment.” ATIS 0600321 and Motorola R56 also prohibit the use of conductive flooring in data centers, telecom applications, 9-1-1 dispatch operations, and other government and end-user spaces.

How do I recognize 1,000,000 ohms in a standard?

There are several ways to say or write one million ohms. They all mean the same thing:

  • 1 million
  • 1 megohm
  • 1,000,000
  • 1.0 x 10 E6
  • 106 (or 1.0 x 106)

Why is it important to use static-dissipative flooring in end-user spaces?

Static control carpet is designed to dissipate static safely to ground. A properly designed ESD floor moves electricity at a controlled rate. The more conductive a material is – the less resistance it has against the flow of electricity. When electricity moves too fast across a floor there is the potential to create an unsafe electrical environment.

Think of standing water. From an early age we were all taught never to go near electricity if a floor is wet. That advice is pretty straightforward and easy to follow: if you’re standing in water – don’t touch electricity. But what would happen if the water were invisible? That is the scenario we would encounter if a carpet were too conductive.

Conductive carpet looks just like regular carpet. But like water – conductive carpet moves electricity very quickly and in some cases too quickly. The faster and easier electricity moves through a material, the more electrical current the material allows to pass through it. That’s the reason we design “electrical resistance” into the materials we use to make static-control carpet. Resistance restricts the flow of electrical current.

Are electrical standards the same for electronics manufacturing and end-user spaces?

No. In electronics manufacturing and handling applications, any floor that measures below 1.0 x 10E9 ohms is acceptable.

Why?

Because ANSI/ESD S20.20, the industry standard for the electronics manufacturing and handling industry, mandates daily electrical testing along with the use of special static-protective footwear. Like electrical resistance in a flooring material, the 1-meghom resistor in ESD footwear slows or resists the flow of electricity, protecting the wearer from a potential electrical shock.

In end-user spaces, where special ESD footwear is not required, people don’t have this protection. That’s why it’s important that the resistance is built into the flooring material.

Note: Site conditions such as dampness and high relative humidity can increase conductivity (or reduce electrical resistance). To be sure you meet the standard, you need flooring measuring well above the minimum resistance limit. This is the reason a floor should be tested and certified immediately after it is installed.

ShadowFX ESD carpet tile is made in a sustainable factory using recycled materials.
100% carbon neutral over the life of the carpet.

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Image shows some of the steps of grounding as ESD floor as a background. The title How to Ground an ESD Floor is displayed in bold white text against a rectangle of dark blue grey at the bottom of the image and and the Staticworx logo below
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Background image shows a close up of an ohmmeter. The title ESD Flooring: Why Some Carpet Cannot Be Grounded is displayed in bold white text against a rectangle of dark blue grey at the bottom of the image and just above is the text "Static Shorts with StaticWorx - Right from the Den" and the StaticWorx logo
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ShadowFX Static-dissipative (SC) Carpet Tile Collections

Carpet Tile for Access Flooring Applications

Looking for easy installation of Staticworx ESD Carpet Tile over your bare access floor panels?


ShadowFX SDC with TacTiles® is your solution.


  • Installation economy – no adhesive required
  • Guaranteed to meet all ESD standards for any application
  • ShadowFX carpet tiles with dissipative backing are grounded upon contact with metal panels Carpet tiles are easily lifted and replaced
ShadowFX Solids

With its simple, subtle texture and diversity of color options, Shadow FX SDC Solids is a popular choice for many styles of interior. It’s also ideal for mixing and matching with other Shadow FX SDC carpet tiles, to create accents, inserts, borders or checkerboard effects – a really useful, versatile tool for designers.


ShadowFX Patterns and Cubic Collections

After two or three years of use, carpet tiles exposed to chair casters and heavy traffic used to be prone to pile crush, making them look different from adjacent tiles. The main factor contributing to this problem was the pattern designs used in typical ESD carpet tile. All of these systems were either a solid pattern with slightly mottled colors or linear patterns with directional lines. Because carpet tiles appear seamless, like one large continuous floor, worn areas would stick out like a coffee stain on a white shirt.

 

The solution: Learning from nature.

 

Based on biomimicry – the study and imitation of nature’s best ideas to solve human problems – Staticworx ShadowFX static-dissipative (SD) carpet tiles mimic the organic design of nature. Tiles vary in patterns and colors within one style and colorway – all but eliminating the ability to observe pile crush or other forms of wear between tiles.

 

Because there’s no need to worry about matching dye lots, you need less attic stock and selective replacement is more effective. Replacement tiles are almost indistinguishable from older – original – tiles in the same installation.

 

Non-directional Installation for Less Installation Waste

 

ShadowFX SDC Patterns and Cubic Collections offer the added benefit of non-directional installation, meaning that tiles can be laid in any order or orientation. With no set pattern to maintain and no need to align tiles in a certain direction, there is significantly less installation waste. In fact, the average ShadowFX non-directional installation produces only 1.5% waste versus an average of 14% for other carpet styles. That means more of your floorcovering investment is on your floor, not in a dumpster.

 

And the best part, ShadowFX carpet tiles can be installed without glue, as a floating floor over any hard surface.

 

 
ShadowFX SDC Treez Budget-Friendly Collection

Simplicity Meets Style


Treez, our latest ShadowFX carpet tile collection, marries timeless style with the simplicity in nature. Tufted, textured loop construction adds dimension, creating a look as natural and stately as the bark on a tree. As appealing and comfortable in an uptown financial services space or high-tech lobby as in a workhorse application such as a data center or manufacturing facility.


ShadowFX SDC Parks Series

In sophisticated tones with threads of complementary colors in varying widths, our Parks Series carpet tile puts an earthy twist on classic linear design. A low-profile face uses less material for a tailored, upscale aesthetic.


ShadowFX SDC Peaks Collection

Like the stately summits of Vermont, our Peaks series carpet tile combines natural beauty with zen-like tranquility. Elegant in pattern and texture, with colorways in both warm and cool tones, our Peaks collection gives you a floor with dimension, functionality, and character.


ShadowFX SDC Fields & Stone Collection

Humans instinctively crave a connection to nature. Time spent in holistic places like Vermont provides a sense of comfort and wellbeing while promoting physical and mental health.


Inspired by the natural world, our ShadowFX Vermont Fields and Stone Carpet Tile Collection brings nature into the workspace, evoking feelings of serenity and refuge. A fusion of organic design and neutral color palette makes this dynamic collection as ideal for urban as for country or rural environments.


ShadowFX SDC Chenille Warp Carpet

ShadowFX SDC Chenille Warp Carpet is a tufted patterned level tip-sheared pile carpet tile, with SD backing. The pile material is made from recycled solution-dyed nylon. The fundamental aesthetic of Chenille is stripes which have been interpreted in a bold and textural way without relying on heavy face weight. Shadow FX Chenille Warp is available in colorways. The tiles can be installed in a variety of ways including quarter-turn, ashlar, brick fashion and parquet, with the potential to provide an unconventional appearance.


ShadowFX SDC Furrows II Carpet Tile

Linear precision, softened by texture and offset shapes.


As its name suggests, Furrows II has a resilient patterned loop pile carpet, reflecting the linear regularity of ploughed fields. Its textured, structured loop pile creates the three-dimensional impression of an aerial view of a cultivated landscape.


Designed for heavy contract performance, ShadowFX Furrows II maintains its distinctive appearance even in high-traffic areas. Pile yarn and backing contain pre-consumer recycled material, minimizing environmental impact.


Vermont Slate Carpet Tile

Built to withstand heavy traffic and abuse and designed to address the most stringent static control requirements – making Vermont Slate ideal for any application from electronics manufacturing to labs to 24/7 critical environments.


StaticWorx Vermont Slate carpet-tile collection provides the durability and high performance you expect from StaticWorx floors in a design that transports you to the mountains of Vermont. Warm, monochromatic earth tones promote a peaceful environment, inspiring creativity and a sense of wellbeing and connectedness.


The rock-like etchings in our Vermont Slate carpet tiles flow seamlessly across the surface of the floor in a non-directional or monolithic installation. Merge-ability enables mixing dye lots and saves money by allowing you to add new or replace worn or damaged tiles without worrying about dye lot compatibility.


  • Mergeable design – eliminates worry about matching dye lots
  • No fade – solution-dyed yarn prevents fading
  • Non-directional install method – easy to install and replace
  • Durable – rated for high traffic
  • Superior static control performance – meets the most stringent ESD standards including ANSI/ESD S20.20 and IEC 61340-5-1:2016*
    • Lifetime warranty for static control.
  • Static dissipative – meets standards for electronics manufacturing, telecom and government spaces**

Vermont Planx™

ShadowFX™ Planx offer a more expressive visual vocabulary.


Our 25cm x 1m Shadow FX ESD Planx bring new proportion and scale to carpet tile, giving you power to create fresh, exciting floor designs. The scale and directionality of Shadow FX ESD Planx creates floors that better reflect the geometry and flow of the surrounding space.


Planx or squares, our tiles all work together.


Use square tiles with contrasting Skinny Planks for large-scale tile patterns, provide wayfinding cues, or for work and activity zones. And this is just the beginning!


StaticWorx modular carpet tile and Planx work together in any combination, giving you a carpet tile design platform with unparalleled options.


A shape that’s better at hiding seams.


Want the benefits of carpet tile without the look of carpet tile? Use Shadow FX ESD Planx, same style and color, laid in an ashlar pattern. They’ll blend near seamlessly across the floor, giving you the benefits of modularity and the continuous look of broadloom.


A soft hard surface.


Love the look of wood plank flooring? Think luxury vinyl plank flooring is stunning? Patterns—like herringbone or ashlar—give ShadowFX Planx the visual appeal of other plank floors, with the patterning possibilities. You also get a floor covering that’s soft, quiet and much more economical than hard surfaces.


Get in Touch

The form below will help us better understand your needs and get you as quickly as possible to the right person. We look forward to helping you solve your static problem! 

You can expect a response within 24 hours. For faster service, please give us a call: 617-923-2000

Visit our privacy policy to find out how we process data.

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StaticWorx high-performance static-control floors protect electronic components, explosives, and high-speed computers from damage caused by static electricity. ESD flooring is part of a system. Choices should always be based on objective, researched evidence. When you partner with us, we look at all possible items that may need to integrate with the floor, and, focusing on your goals and objectives, help you find the right floor for your application.

Get in Touch

East Coast: 617-923-2000
Email: [email protected]

“I’m so glad we were able to find an attractive solution that didn’t leave us with some run-of-the-mill ugly disaster.”

Unless otherwise stated, standards referenced are the most up-to-date versions.

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The FAA has updated its standard for facilities and electronic equipment. StaticWorx meets all requirements for ESD flooring.

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“I’m so glad we were able to find an attractive solution that didn’t leave us with some run-of-the-mill ugly disaster.”

Share This

Get in Touch

East Coast: 617-923-2000
Email: [email protected]

subscribe to newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter and occasional updates.

The FAA has updated its standard for facilities and electronic equipment. StaticWorx meets all requirements for ESD flooring.

Unless otherwise stated, standards referenced are the most up-to-date versions.

Get in Touch

East Coast: 617-923-2000
Email: [email protected]

“I’m so glad we were able to find an attractive solution that didn’t leave us with some run-of-the-mill ugly disaster.”

Share This

subscribe to newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter and occasional updates.

The FAA has updated its standard for facilities and electronic equipment. StaticWorx meets all requirements for ESD flooring.

Unless otherwise stated, standards referenced are the most up-to-date versions.

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