The Smart Glass Installation Tutorial – Step-by-Step Method
Smart Film also known as smart glass is considered a revolution in the glass industry, and is being used by everyone from architects, homeowners, to builders today. The major benefits that you can enjoy by installing a smart glass film are privacy, security, and energy saving without putting in much effort. By just using a remote control, the smart glass film can switch from clear to opaque. Wow! What an invention.
The Installation Procedure of Deluxe Smart Glass Film
Let’s go through the smart glass installation tutorial in a bit of detail to understand its technical aspects. For ease of reading the tutorial is broken into small, bite-sized steps.
Step 1: Making a connection between the Bus Bar and Switchable Film
Basically, a Bus bar is a strip that helps conduct electrical current. It can be considered as a conductive copper strip or a copper busbar that is applied to the edges of the sheet of PDLC film, before it is housed in glass panels.
The bus bar acts as a vent for the stepped-down electrical current, which brings the liquid crystals in the film to life. To distribute the current, a conductive material called Indium Tin Oxide is coated on the surface of the enclosing PET film.
Sometimes, many busbars are used to enable full and even distribution of the electrical current.
Step 2: Cleaning the glass
With the help of a window scraper, remove dirt from the glass surface. Repeat it till all the blemishes are removed. Then spray the glass cleanser on the glass, and clean with an absorbent cloth. Then take a lint-free cloth to wipe the glass surface clean.
Step 3: Cleaning the smart film
With the help of a lint-free cloth, wipe down the protective layer on the adhesive side of PDLC film to clean the debris.
Step 4: Size of the tearing of the covered film
Put on clean nitrile protective gloves and cautiously peel off 2-3” of the protective liner. Ensure dust is not allowed to fall onto the adhesive side.
Step 5: Sticking the smart film
Align the conductive interface of the film with the top edge of the glass. Once in place, run your finger along to press down and fix the top edge (the adhesive strip will clamp the film firmly).
Step 6: Precautions during sticking
Slowly pull away the protective liner inducing the film to firmly stick to the glass surface. With the help of a roller put a light pressure on the film letting it stick to the glass while still pulling away the liner. If an air bubble is visible, cautiously lift the film, and allow it to cling to the glass.
If you miss an air bubble, carefully lift the film and let it re-adhere to the glass by virtue of its weight. By repeating the process, the entire film will cling to the glass, and there will be no bubbles.
Step 7: Remove Bubbles with Squeegee
With the help of a small squeegee, push the remaining small bubbles to the edges of the film, so that the edges can have good contact with the glass.
Step 8: Adhesive bonding and electrical connection
Once Film is firmly set up, connect the attachable electrode to the transformer. To optimize it further, use cable guides at the window's margin.
Step 9: Testing
Run a quick test by connecting the transformer to the power source to ensure that the film is switching from opaque to clear.
Step 10: Use silicone sealant along the edges
To achieve additional security to protect the film in a high moisture environment, apply non-acidic-based silicone along the edges of the film. Once it has dried, later activate the electrical system, and start using the switchable film.
Step 11: Organized Wiring Solution
Make sure to use a wire mold to cover the entire bus area. This is done for safety from the risk of electric shock. The recommended wire mold should be non-conductive or a plastic. If you want to use a metal wire mold, call an electrician and let him groove the wire mold with a Dremel to help organize the wiring system. You may want to cover the other three edges with trim to fulfill your aesthetic aspirations.
To Conclude
This completes the smart glass installation tutorial. Once the installation is completed, clean the film with the help of a non-ammonia-based cleaner. Then use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to wipe down the film. Avoid using any chemicals or abrasive cleaners on the film surface. The measurement of the window or glass panel should be accurate to perform a successful smart film installation. The film comes in a standard size, and its alteration is not possible. A small measurement means the film will be too small to cover the entire glass surface. While a large measurement means the film will be too big to fit into the designated space.