Sole-Mate footwear control stations
Newson Gale Sole-Mate
Sole-Mate is a simple-to-use device intended for checking footwear or gloves for ability to carry away electrostatic electricity (anti-electrostatic properties) prior to the worker’s entering the threatened area (explosion risk atmosphere).
The system is calibrated to measure resistance according to EN 20345 (lower and upper range). In addition, the station is equipped with LED light and sound signalling, informing about the possibility of entering an explosive area.
Important
Staff shall be provided with appropriate clothing made of conductive materials or materials with low electrification capacity. It is extremely important that workers comply with the prohibitions on putting on and taking off clothes in explosive atmospheres and cleaning them by wiping or sweeping, even if the clothes are made of so-called antistatic materials.
System components:
- Control unit mounted on a wall
- Well visible indicators and a penetrating sound alarm
- Independent power source (a battery as part of equipment)
- Battery discharge indicator
Principle of operation
After entering with both feet, on which the anti-electrostatic shoes (or antistatic shoe bands) are placed, on the measuring plate and pressing the button, the control unit will measure the resistance of the shoes. If the LED lights up green, this means that the resistance of the footwear is below the upper limit of the standard and can be worn safely in a potentially explosive atmosphere. However, if the LED lights up red and an audible alarm sounds after a few seconds, shoe resistance is above the upper limit of the standard and must not be worn in an area where there is an explosion hazard.
In addition to these protective measures, it is necessary to ensure that the floor is sufficiently conductive, as wearing shoes will be ineffective if the worker walks on an insulating floor or floor covering.
