Soldering is an important process when connecting electronic circuits where the conductors carry electronic signals. Soldering occurs when two electrical components are joined with a solid conductive connection. If this conductive connection is not solid, this could result in temporary breaks or fluctuations in the circuit which could interrupt the signal being sent.
During the soldering process, fumes are emitted which, when inhaled by employees, can be dangerous. When solder flux is heated to 183°C, the fumes that are emitted can resemble smoke. The smoke that is created is made up of 95% solid particles and 5% gases and vapours. The solid particles are made up of solder flux, while the gases can include Acetones, Methyl Alcohol, Formaldehyde, Carbon Dioxide, Diterpene Acid, Carbon Monoxide and Isopropanol Alcohol.
These gases when inhaled can negatively impact the employees’ lungs and cause damage to the nervous system, and even bring on Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Other symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, mood changes and depression. The solid particles, even if not toxic, when inhaled can become lodged in your lung and cause irreparable damage to the lungs.
Keeping a clean and healthy workshop is important for all businesses, as their employee’s health should be a major priority. When employees get sick from fumes breathed in while working, it does not only impact negatively on the employee, which should be avoided at all costs, but also impacts the business with worker absenteeism, reduced productivity and high staff turnover.
Installing a fume extraction unit on the workshop floor helps in keeping the soldering area and the rest of the working area free from hazardous dusts and fumes. Nederman’s FX ESD extraction arms range, available by Envirox, is the perfect solution for the extraction of soldering fumes.
- The FX100 ESD/EX extraction arm is ideal for industrial large-scale workshops with electrostatic environments and explosive zones 1, 2, 21 and 22. It can be used for a high extraction capacity of dust, larger particles and heavy fumes such as expelled during welding and soldering. Designed with anodised aluminium arm profiles this extraction arm is a heavy-duty, easy to use and reliable dust extraction system.
- The FX75 ESD/EX is best suited for explosive dusts and fume applications. It can be used within explosive zones 1,2, 21 and 22, and is ideal for use within electronics and jewellery assembly, laboratories, dental applications and mechanical workshops.
- The FX50 ESD/EX is perfect for the extraction of light fumes and dust in electrostatic or explosive dust applications.
For more information regarding fume extraction units for soldering applications, or any other dust collecting applications, Envirox is available to provide any solution needed. With years of experience supplying quality dust collector units, Envirox is able to give experience advice and provide efficient after sales support.
