What Causes Electrostatic Discharge in Hydraulic Filters?
Electrostatic discharge in hydraulic filters is a real issue in hydraulic systems, especially in applications where oil flow promotes the build-up of electrical charge inside the filter. If this charge is not dissipated in a controlled way, it can lead to damage to filter elements, oil degradation and premature wear of hydraulic circuit components. In environments where flammable materials are present, it may also increase fire risk.
One of the main causes of this phenomenon is the triboelectric effect. As oil passes through the filter media and internal filter components, electrical charges can accumulate and create significant potential differences. When these charges are not safely discharged, electrostatic discharge may occur inside the hydraulic filter.
A practical way to reduce this risk is through charge relaxation. In this approach, selected parts of the filtration system are made conductive so that accumulated charges can move along defined pathways and dissipate safely to ground. This helps reduce the risk of discharge inside the filter and supports long-term system reliability.
This is where zerospark® by MP Filtri comes in. The solution was developed specifically to address electrostatic discharge inside hydraulic filters. By replacing selected insulating components with conductive zerospark® versions, accumulated charges on the filter media can move towards the filter head and then dissipate to ground.
For hydraulic users, this means better protection of filter elements, oil and hydraulic circuit components, improved operational safety and more stable filtration performance over time. In demanding applications, especially where cyclic flow or sensitive operating conditions are involved, reducing electrostatic discharge can be important not only for filter life but also for overall system reliability.
Key benefits of zerospark®:
- reduced risk of electrostatic discharge inside hydraulic filters,
- dissipation of accumulated charges,
- improved protection of filter elements, oil and hydraulic circuit components,
- increased operational safety,
- stable performance over time,
- resistance to cyclic flow,
- weight and cost optimisation.
