Overview
EN ISO 284:2025 - Conveyor belts - Electrical conductivity - Specification and test method (ISO 284:2025) is a CEN-endorsed international standard that specifies the maximum electrical resistance of conveyor belts and the standardized laboratory test used to verify it. The purpose is to ensure belts are sufficiently conductive to prevent accumulation of static electric charge during service. This edition (2025) supersedes EN ISO 284:2012 and is prepared by ISO/TC 41 in collaboration with CEN/TC 188.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Maximum electrical resistance: The belt shall not exceed 3 × 10^8 Ω (300 MΩ) when tested; lower resistance limits may be specified for special applications.
- Scope exclusions: Not applicable to light conveyor belts as defined in ISO 21183-1; those use ISO 21178 for static electrical properties.
- Test specimen: A full-thickness square test piece (minimum side 300 mm) is taken and cleaned before testing.
- Conditioning and atmosphere: Test pieces are conditioned per ISO 18573; preferred test atmosphere is 23 °C ± 2 °C and 50 % ± 5 % RH, with at least 2 hours of conditioning.
- Apparatus and setup:
- Two coaxial brass electrodes (one circular, one annular) placed on defined areas of the test surface with a contact agent to ensure good electrical contact.
- A DC source adjustable to 1 000 V, limited to ≤ 10 mA and energy dissipation in the sample of ≤ 1 W.
- A resistance-measuring instrument suitable for the expected test range; results are recorded in ohms.
- Example contact agent formulation is provided (e.g., polyethylene glycol 600 : water : KCl : soft soap ≈ 800 : 200 : 10 : 1 by mass).
- Procedure highlights: Apply the contact agent to specified areas, place electrodes, apply voltage for at least 1 minute, measure resistance on both surfaces, and report results with environmental and specimen details.
Applications and who uses this standard
- Manufacturers of conveyor belts use EN ISO 284:2025 to verify product compliance and to set conductive grades for belts intended for dust-prone, explosive, or electrostatically sensitive environments.
- Material and quality engineers apply the test method during R&D, incoming inspection, and production quality control.
- End-users and integrators in mining, grain handling, chemical plants, recycling facilities, and any operation where static discharge is a safety or process risk rely on the standard to select appropriate belts.
- Regulatory bodies and certification labs use the specification to assess conformity and safety risk mitigation.
Related standards
- ISO 18573 - Test atmospheres and conditioning periods for conveyor belts (referenced for conditioning).
- ISO 21183-1 / ISO 21178 - Relevant for light conveyor belts and their static electrical property measurements.
Keywords: EN ISO 284:2025, conveyor belts, electrical conductivity, test method, static charge, resistance 300 MΩ, CEN, ISO 284:2025.