All you ever wanted to know about ESD

22 March 2006 Circuit & System Protection

A free 36-page handbook that covers the causes of ESD (electro-static discharge), typical ESD events, how to achieve real-life reliability and reduce warranty costs, and the test methods used for proving compliance with the standard is available from REO (UK).

All people can carry static electrical charges that are capable of damaging almost all types of semiconductors. Such personnel discharges can give rise to transient currents and electromagnetic fields that can interfere with almost every kind of electronic device, equipment or system. These personnel electrostatic discharges (ESD) and compliance with immunity standards, listed under the EMC Directive, are covered in the handbook.

Because of the potential hazards such personnel electrostatic discharges (measured in kilovolts) can present, it also makes good sense to test products' ability to withstand them, particularly in the case of safety-related, mission-critical or legal metrology electronic applications. The basic test method is detailed in EN61000-4-2.

It can be downloaded from: www.reo.co.uk/kbase_article/121.

Further reading:

Clearing the Static: Key principles of ESD control in electronics manufacturing
Actum Electronics Circuit & System Protection
Effectively managing electrostatic discharge is essential in electronics manufacturing to ensure not only product reliability, but also worker safety.

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Clearing the Static: Three steps for a dry ESD packaging system
Actum Electronics Circuit & System Protection
For optimal storage, it’s essential to complete the dry-packaging system by adding Desiccant Packs and Humidity Indicator Cards.

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Ensuring safety with earth leakage protection
NewElec Pretoria Circuit & System Protection
Earth leakage protection helps mitigate the risks of electric shocks, fires, and equipment damage by swiftly identifying faults and disconnecting the power supply, thus safeguarding both human lives and machinery.

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Suppressing EMI with filters
Vepac Electronics Circuit & System Protection
EMI/RFI filters play an important role in reducing the high-frequency noise that is generated by various electrical and electronic devices.

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Patch attenuates like a shielding cabinet
Würth Elektronik eiSos Circuit & System Protection
Würth Elektronik has launched its hybrid WE-EMIP EMI absorber sheet, a convenient solution for reducing electromagnetic interference by up to 40 dB.

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Clearing the Static: Ionisation equipment
Actum Electronics Circuit & System Protection
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) ionisation equipment is designed to neutralise static charges that accumulate on surfaces in environments where ESD-sensitive components or materials are handled. These ...

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Motor and feeder protection for LV and MV environments
NewElec Pretoria Circuit & System Protection
This relay from NewElec is a micro-controller-based precision instrument with ANSI protection elements, advanced control features, and switchgear controller logic integrating motor and feeder control functions.

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Clearing the Static: How to protect PCBs from electrostatic discharge and moisture
Actum Electronics Circuit & System Protection
Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are essential components in most electronic devices. They are sensitive to environmental factors like electrostatic discharge (ESD) and moisture, which can cause significant ...

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Clearing the Static: ESD chairs: Essential tools in controlled protected areas
Actum Electronics Circuit & System Protection
Static poses a significant risk in various industries, particularly those involving sensitive electronic components and equipment. To mitigate these risks, electrostatic discharge (ESD) chairs play ...

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Clearing the Static: ESD dissipative floor mats
Actum Electronics Circuit & System Protection
Dissipative floor mats are specialised mats designed to protect sensitive electronic equipment and components from electrostatic discharge (ESD), by quickly drawing the static electricity off workers before they touch such items.

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