Adjust-A-Shelf™ Desiccator Cabinet, 18" x 17" x 12"

Terra offers a variety of shelf solutions. Shelves can be positioned at 0.5" (13 mm) increments to accommodate different part sizes; they can also be removed and used as carrying trays. Grounding terminals are included standard on all
static dissipative PVC desiccators, allowing you to ground racks and shelves. Grounding is optional on acrylic chambers.

Top: Stainless steel shelf
Bottom: Stainless steel tray

Top: Acrylic Shelf with BowGuards™
Bottom: Acylic Shelf without BowGuards™

Acrylic shelves feature stainless steel BowGuards™ that support up to 35 lbs (15.9 kg).

Electropolished type 304 stainless steel shelves, which support loads up to 45 lbs (20.4 kg), are available as solid or with perforations to facilitate gas flow. Their slight depth, 0.5" (13 mm), provides a retaining lip along all edges.

Electropolished type 304 stainless steel trays are 2.625" (67 mm) deep and so offer more roomy, secure storage space than shelves. They also provide optimal ESD protection. When grounded stainless steel shelves or trays are placed immediately above each other, they create a Faraday cage that completely blocks out electrostatic charges. Trays are also convenient for carrying parts after they are removed from the desiccator.

Electropolished type 304 stainless steel shields are designed to protect plastic chambers from scratching. They are highly recommended for installation on static dissipative PVC chambers, which can, after repeated scraping and rubbing, lose their dissipative characteristics.

Even the slightest static discharge can spell disaster for today's delicate components. Because the dangers of ESD (electrostatic discharge) are amplified in a low humidity environment, Terra strongly urges that you consider these measures as part of your static control program.

Faraday cage protects shelf contents against ESD

1. Static Dissipative PVC
Acrylic, the most common plastic used in storage enclosures, is a prolific static generator. The act of cleaning an acrylic desiccator with a cleanroom wiper is enough to generate surface charges that can discharge onto semiconductor components. One way to avoid potentially disastrous static damage is to select static dissipative PVC.

This material not only dissipates static charges safely, but it also eliminates the particle attraction that static charges create. Surfaces stay clean, inside and out, making this material perfect for use in Class 1 cleanrooms.

Because static dissipative PVC is transparent and highly durable, it can be used in place of acrylic in nearly any application, desiccators included. It features a surface resistivity of approximately 10⁷ ohms per square, placing it in the "dissipative range". It is completely noncontaminating - with no measurable outgassing - and it resists a wide range of chemicals.

Note: To protect static dissipative PVC surfaces, desiccators made of this material must include stainless steel shields installed at the bottom of each chamber.

2. Self-Balancing Ionizing Nozzles
By ionizing nitrogen molecules as they pass through the desiccator plenum wall, ionizing nozzles neutralize electrostatic charges on all interior surfaces. They provide practical ESD control for charged non-conductive materials, which cannot dissipate charges to ground. And because they eliminate static attractive forces, they help control contamination: in a statically neutral environment, any airborne particles that enter a desiccator are more likely to remain airborne and to be purged out of the cabinet.

3. Conductive Shelves, Shields and Trays
For smaller components that can be stored on shelves, Terra's grounded stainless steel shelving provide a 100% ESD-safe enclosure.

As the illustration depicts, grounded conductive plates (such as shelves) create a Faraday cage that prevents penetration of static charges. Because these conductive units are removable, they also protect your sensitive components from ESD as you transport them from one location to another.

Desiccator Grounding
All Terra desiccators are made of static dissipative PVC feature grounding terminals on a standard basis. The surface resistivity of this material (around 10⁷ ohms/square) allows controlled dissipation of static charges from any surface in the cabinet, including shelves. Conductive grounding connections safely direct charges to a grounding terminal (standard on static dissipative PVC cabinets; order separately for acrylic cabinets below).

LatchLock® for Single Chamber Width Desiccators

• Increase security of any desiccator equipped with Terra's standard LiftLatch®
• Stainless steel locking bracket installs on standard Terra LiftLatch® assembly
• 0.375" (10mm) holes accommodate most standard padlocks (padlock not included)
• Installation included

Don't risk operational delays because of a damaged door.
Terra's desiccators last indefinitely. Doors, however, are subject to damage, and ordering a legacy replacement can be costly and disrupt operation. Avoid these problems by ordering replacement doors at the time you purchase the desiccator. Contact us for details.

Standard Adjust-A-Shelf™ Desiccator Cabinets (Model Shown: No. 3950-36 with options)

No. 3950-45, shown with electropolished stainless steel shelves, humidity controls and stand.

No. 3950-48, shown with optional electropolished type 304 stainless steel shelves, humidity controls and stand.