Most low-cost ozone generators sold online use a ceramic plate. It is a thin ceramic wafer with a pattern of metal lines printed on its surface. Many of these plates are mass-produced in China, and the lines on them are only a thin layer of metal. This post explains why that matters and why we build our machines with quartz tubes instead.
How a Ceramic Ozone Plate Works
High voltage runs through the printed metal lines on the plate. That creates a corona discharge along the edges of the lines, and the corona turns oxygen in the air into ozone. The plate gets hot while it runs, and the metal lines sit right in the plasma.
Why the Metal Lines Wear Away
The lines are very thin, and heat and plasma slowly wear them down. As the metal erodes, tiny metal particles (nano metals) can be released into the air stream. Over time the lines break up, the corona weakens, and the plate eventually stops making ozone. That is why many cheap ceramic-plate machines lose output after a short time.
This problem is described in the patent literature. US Patent 6,024,930, “Ozone generator plate”, describes metal electrodes deposited on a ceramic plate. It says the plasma field “can deteriorate electrodes.” It also says that if the electrodes are not given a protective coating, “they will vaporize in the high heat of the corona field,” and that the coating is needed to keep the metals “from sputtering off in the high heat of the plasma field.” Budget plates often skip that kind of protection.
Quartz Tube Generators Release No Nano Metals
A quartz tube generator works differently. The electrodes are separated from the corona by a quartz glass tube, so there are no exposed printed metal lines to wear away. A quartz tube does not shed nano metals, and it keeps making ozone for far longer. For a full side-by-side comparison, see our page on quartz tube vs ceramic plate ozone generators.
What to Look For When You Buy
- Ask whether the machine uses a ceramic plate or a quartz tube.
- Avoid ceramic plates with thin printed metal lines if you want to avoid nano metals.
- Choose a quartz tube unit for longer life and steadier output.
- Our $79.99 Large Room quartz tube ozone generator covers up to 1,000 sq ft.
Important Safety Note
Ozone generators are for shock-treating and sanitizing unoccupied spaces only. They are not for breathing. Run the machine only when people, pets, and plants are out of the area, and air the space out well before anyone goes back in.