FRP products have dielectric properties that make them excellent electrical insulators.
Tests for surface resistivity and electrical resistance Rs and cross-sectional Rt, resistivity and electrical safety resistance to earth (human body model), and dielectric strength at rated voltage showed resistivity greater than 200 MΩ and a current absorption of around 300 μA: the material can therefore be considered an excellent insulator, compliant with safety standards.
In the presence of electric current, FRP products should therefore be preferred over metal ones to ensure the safety of operators and users. Steel products, in fact, have high electrical conductivity (0.714 W/mm²m), with a possible risk of electric discharge and corrosion caused by galvanic currents.
To meet customer needs, however, FRP products can also be manufactured in a conductive version. Conductivity is achieved by adding CARBON BLACK to the resin, an additive obtained through the incomplete combustion of heavy petroleum products and consisting essentially of carbon.
Surface and cross-sectional electrical resistivity tests, carried out with a 10 V DC test voltage, showed that the samples have very low surface and cross-sectional electrical resistivity and can therefore be classified as excellent conductors.
Electrical safety tests carried out showed that the samples comply with the relevant standards (it is recommended to use resistances in the range of 1 MΩ to 5 MΩ).
A walking test was also simulated, using dissipative antistatic safety footwear, on the grating samples under test, both with and without an earth connection. In both cases, no electrostatic charge was generated. Both samples can therefore be fully classified as non-generators of electrostatic charge from foot traffic.
