FAQ

Select a question from the menu below.

What does “privacy feature” mean?
3M™ Privacy Filters offer easy, effective solutions to protect on-screen data. These models feature a patented “microlouver technology,” which prevents bystanders from viewing on-screen data from either side of a monitor. Only persons directly in front of the computer monitor can read displayed information. From the side, passersby see only a dark, blank screen.

The black microlouvers reduce the horizontal viewing area to 60 degrees. The light cutoff provided by the black microlouver is complete and does not distort or blur images from the monitor.

In addition, 3M™ Privacy Filters simulate a tiny vertical blind to shield out unwanted ambient light, thus incrementally increasing the effectiveness of glare reduction and contrast enhancement.

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What is glare?
Glare is defined as the light within the field of vision that is brighter than other objects to which the eyes are adapted. The most common sources of office glare are from ambient light sources, such as sunlight from windows and overhead lighting. This ambient light can shine on the glass front of CRT monitors, reducing contrast and creating annoyingly bright reflections.

“First surface glare” is the reflection or washout generated by the glass surface of a monitor or computer filter. First surface reflection is only reduced through the use of an anti-reflection coating on the computer filter or the surface of the monitor. All 3M™ Privacy Filters have an anti-reflection coating to reduce first surface glare.

“Reflected glare” is the amount of ambient light which passes through a computer filter, reflects off the monitor face, and passes back through the computer filter. 3M™ Executive Computer Filters eliminate up to 95% of reflected glare. 3M™ High Performance computer filters eliminate up to 99% of reflected glare.

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How do 3M™ Privacy Filters enhance contrast?
Monitor contrast is how bright the display’s characters (information) appear against the background. Increasing the monitor contrast makes it easier to read the information being displayed on the monitor. Contrast ratio (CR) which equals character brightness divided by background brightness (including the effects of ambient light) numerically specifies contrast. The larger the contrast ratio, the brighter the information appears against a dark background. A minimum contrast ratio of three (3) is specified by the American National Standard for Human Factors Engineering of Visual Display Terminals.

All 3M™ Privacy Filters improve the contrast by minimizing first surface glare through the use of an anti-reflection coating. In addition, all models uniformly filter out ambient light using a neutral density filter applied to the glass. The “double” filtration of ambient light as it passes through the filter improves contrast significantly by reflecting off the monitor and passing through the filter again.

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What radiation issues should I know about?

Where it comes from
Radiation is generated by the internal electrical components of the monitor and is emitted from out of the back and sides of a computer monitor as well as in front. Because of manufacturers’ differences in configuration and shielding of the internal electrical components, emissions may be greatest from either direction.

What it is
The type of radiation emitted from computer monitors is not “radioactive.” It isn’t as energetic as the type of radiation used by nuclear power plants. The electromagnetic radiation emitted from computer monitors is called extremely low frequency (ELF) and very low frequency (VLF) radiation. All devices requiring electric power will generate ELF and VLF radiation.

Health risks of ELF/VLF radiation
Studies conducted by various federal agencies and independent researchers are inconclusive. Although believed to be nonhazardous, effects most often linked with long-term exposure to ELF/VLF radiation include miscarriages and childhood leukemia.

What 3M anti-radiation filters do
Both ELF and VLF electromagnetic radiation have an electric (E-field) component and a magnetic (H-field) component. When properly grounded, 3M anti-radiation computer filters block up to 99.9% of the electric field (E-Field) ELF/VLF component of low frequency radiation emitted out of the front of the monitor.

The magnetic (H-field) component is virtually impossible to shield. Magnetic fields pass through most materials, including concrete, steel, and lead. The greatest reduction in H-field emission is achieved by wrapping the internal electrical components with a very expensive material called mu metal.

All 3M filters are tested by an independent laboratory that specializes in compliance testing. (Laboratory reports are available upon request.) Using these filters can help monitors meet E-Field ELF/VLF radiation guidelines and voluntary standards such as MPR-II and TCO.

UV light emissions
The main source for ultra-violet (UV) light is sunlight. Insignificant amounts of UV are emitted by a computer monitor and are related to the emission spectrum of the phosphor and pose no known health concern for office workers. All glass provides excellent blockage of UV light. UV light is the invisible region of the spectrum just beyond the violet end of the visible region of electromagnetic radiation. It is defined in ranges per ANSI Z87-1-1989:

UVA Range: 320-400 nanometers
UVB Range: 240-320 nanometers
Total UV: 240-400 nanometers

3M™ Privacy Filters block up to 96% of the total UV range.

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What protection is provided by the anti-static feature?
An electrical charge can build up uniformly over a non-conductive glass surface, such as a computer monitor. Conductive coatings with proper earth ground provide a path for discharging this electrical charge build-up. Almost all 3M™ Privacy Filters feature a conductive coating and grounding cord with clip to provide the path and grounding mechanism for full discharge of the electrical charge buildup.

3M™ Privacy Filters with the anti-static feature discharge an electrostatic buildup of 5000V in less than 0.1 seconds when properly grounded. They are independently tested to assure static discharge performance.

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How do I properly ground 3M™ Privacy Filters for the anti-radiation and anti-static features?
3M™ Privacy Filters with anti-radiation and/or anti-static features are supplied with a grounding cord clip. The ground cord must be connected to the nearest known electrical earth ground in order for these features to work effectively.

The ground cord clip can be attached to a metal frame on the back of a central processing unit (CPU), any metal screw on the back of the unit that makes direct contact with the metal frame, or the metal fan vent on the back of the CPU. For extra safety, unplug the unit while making this connection.

Other typical electrical ground locations are electrical conduit, water pipe, heater vents, and a metal building frame. A small area of paint might need to be scraped away in order to make better contact with the metal.

CAUTION: To avoid electrical shock, do not connect the ground cord to electrical outlets. If you are not sure about grounding the computer filter, contact a licensed electrician.

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How do I clean a 3M™ Privacy Filter?
3M™ Privacy Filters are easy to clean. Simply use a soft, lint-free cloth and glass cleaner to wipe away fingerprints and soil.

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