Jiangsu Textile Research Institute Inc.

Anti-static shoes and conductive shoes are both types of labor protection shoes, and these two safety shoes are relatively similar in function. Because of this, many users easily confuse the two when purchasing. In fact, there are many differences between these two products.

1. Functional purpose

The main purpose of anti-static shoes is to prevent the accumulation of static electricity due to friction and other reasons when the human body is working. These shoes gradually discharge the static electricity generated by the human body to the ground to prevent static electricity from causing damage to precision instruments, electronic products, etc. Anti-static shoes are particularly important in industries that need to prevent static interference, such as electronic manufacturing, semiconductors, medicine, and precision instrument manufacturing.

Conductive shoes are mainly used in situations where static electricity or current needs to be quickly discharged. They can quickly conduct current that comes into contact with the human body or shoe soles into the ground, preventing dangers such as fires or explosions caused by current accumulation. Conductive shoes are commonly used in industries such as petrochemicals and mining that are prone to generating static electricity and need to discharge it quickly.

2. Resistance range

The resistance range is an important indicator to distinguish anti-static shoes from conductive shoes.

Antistatic shoes typically have a resistance value between 105 and 108 ohms. This resistance range can effectively prevent the accumulation of static electricity without completely conducting electricity, ensuring a certain degree of safety. A moderate resistance value can gradually discharge static electricity and avoid potential risks caused by instantaneous discharge.

The resistance value of conductive shoes is generally less than 105 ohms, which has better conductive properties and can quickly conduct current. This design ensures that in high-risk environments, any static electricity or unexpected current can be quickly released to avoid safety accidents.

3. Material and structure

Anti-static shoes are usually made of anti-static materials, and the sole material is often anti-static rubber. The combination of the sole and the upper will also have an anti-static design to ensure overall anti-static performance. This design not only ensures the anti-static effect of the shoes, but also provides better comfort and durability.

The sole material of conductive shoes is usually conductive rubber, and the structural design of the entire shoe pays more attention to conductive performance. The design of conductive shoes takes into account how to quickly and effectively conduct static electricity or current into the ground to ensure safety in high-risk environments.

4. Differences in other aspects

1. When using anti-static shoes, you need to use them with anti-static clothing, otherwise the anti-static effect will not be achieved. Conductive shoes do not need to be used with other protective clothing. They can be used alone and can exert a conductive effect.

2. In addition to the function of eliminating static electricity accumulation in the human body, anti-static shoes can also prevent electric shock from power supplies below 250V. Conductive shoes do not have the function of preventing electric shock. Therefore, conductive shoes cannot be used in places where there is a risk of electric shock.

3. In fact, the biggest difference between the two is the difference in application environment. Anti-static shoes are generally used on anti-static floors, while conductive shoes need to be used on conductive floors.

• Anti-static shoes are widely used in:

Electronics manufacturing industry: Avoid static electricity damage to electronic components.

Semiconductor industry: Prevent chip damage caused by static electricity.

Pharmaceutical industry: Ensure that the pharmaceutical production process is not affected by static electricity.

Precision instrument manufacturing: Protect precision equipment from static electricity interference.

• Conductive shoes are often used for:

Petrochemical industry: Prevent fires or explosions caused by static electricity accumulation.

Mining operations: Reduce the risk of ignition of explosive gases caused by static electricity.

Chemical production: quickly remove static electricity to protect production safety.

5. Precautions for use

Proper use and maintenance of anti-static and conductive shoes is key to ensuring their effectiveness.

• Anti-static shoes:

When using, you need to keep the soles clean to avoid contamination with oil and other insulating substances.

Regularly check the resistance value of shoes to ensure their anti-static performance.

Avoid use on non-anti-static floors to ensure effectiveness.

• Conductive shoes:

It needs to be used on conductive ground or in a well-grounded environment to ensure its conductive effect.

Regularly check the conductive properties of your shoes to prevent deterioration in conductive properties due to wear or material aging.

Make sure there is no insulating material blocking the conductive path of the shoe during use.