Electronic air cleaners put an electric charge on the dust particles as they enter the grids. This is the first stage known as the ionizing section.

The second stage known as collecting section, where the dust removed from the air stream by electrostatic attraction by oppositely charged plates. It’s believed in the process of putting an electric charge on the dust, ozone is created, which helps kill bacteria and odors. Ozone formation is minimized or eliminated by proper ionizer design and proper maintenance. One of the main considerations in electronic air cleaner design is to prevent a situation that allows ozone formation.

Electronic air cleaners are more efficient with slower airflow across the collector section, this also allows for better collection of dust particles, but it too is important to have uniform airflow across the collector plates. This may mean having to have turning vanes or baffles in the ductwork on the inlet side of the filter so that the air passes at a uniform velocity.