Hobson technical article
Prevent Zinc Whiskers with Hot Dip Galvanised Products: A Data Centre Guide
A two-page Hobson article about zinc whiskers: tiny conductive filaments that grow from zinc electroplated steel and can cause failures in data centres. It covers what they are, the hazards, warning signs, how to identify and remove them, and prevention.
What this covers
- What zinc whiskers are
- Hazards
- Warning signs
- Identification
- Removal
- Prevention
Applies to Threaded Rod (Allthread), Drop-In Anchor, Hammer-In / Nail Anchor, Hammer Screws & Skirting Board Fixings, Hollow Wall & Plasterboard Anchors, Nylon Wall Plugs & Screws, Concrete Screws (Screw Anchors), Sleeve Anchors (Dynabolt-Style), Vertical Hanger & Panel Anchor, Wall Plug, Wedge Anchor, Coach Bolts (Cup Head Bolts) and 13 more.
Key things to remember
The essentials from this document in plain words. Check the full document before you rely on a figure.
- Zinc whiskers grow from steel that has been electroplated with zinc. They start at a few microns long and can reach several millimetres.
- They are conductive, break away easily (even in an air current), pass through filters and can cause anything from a short circuit to a full system reset.
- Warning sign: equipment failing at random, or changes after maintenance or a disturbance in the room.
- Find them by visual inspection (light at an angle and a magnifying glass) or a scanning electron microscope.
- Cleaning or coating does not fix it. Replace zinc electroplated items, wear HEPA masks while working, and use HEPA vacuums and filters.
- Prevention: avoid zinc electroplated materials. Hot dip galvanising dips the steel in molten zinc instead of electroplating, which removes the whisker risk; Hobson says no zinc whiskers have been found on its hot dip galvanised range.
Who it helps: Data centre and electrical contractors choosing fixings for sensitive equipment rooms.
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