Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: measuring/detecting static?

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Posted by Carl Martin (Member # 1146) on 10-27-2004, 03:58 AM:

a coworker says she's noticing some static cling as our films are feeding their brains. she thinks this might be due to our storing platter covers in plastic bins during the day. i'd like to determine if this is the case, or if it's a normal weather-related change.

i don't feel the hairs on the back of my hand stand up when i stick it in the bins, but there must be a more sensitive way to detect static. any ideas?

carl

Posted by Thomas Dieter (Member # 2507) on 10-27-2004, 04:08 AM:

I would say that the best way to detect static would be to get some of those "bean bag beans". Those are the lights things that react the easiest to static. You might try other things that react well to static. I'm not saying that the best way is to use "bean bag beans", but to use something that is like it.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 10-27-2004, 05:28 AM:

Even with a conductive antistatic backing on the print, any static buildup on the surface of the film needs a good path to ground to discharge completely. Treat all non-metallic platter surfaces and plastic rollers with a conductive topical conductive antistat like "Static Guard", "Staticide", or "NeutroStat". Keeping the relative humidity close to the recommended range of 50 to 60 percent RH helps increase the conductivity of the emulsion.

Posted by David Buckley (Member # 2600) on 10-27-2004, 05:31 AM:

You need to buy, beg or borrow an electrometer. Try a local school, physics departments always have them.