ESD BOOK

PROTECTION FROM
ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGES
IN THE ELECTRONIC
ENVIRONMENTS

ec o

ISO 9001
CERTIFIED

2004 edition

PREFACE

This publication is intended to help users in understanding and prevent the

Electrostatic Discharges Phenomena, it is not a substitute for reference to the ESD
or Safety Standards
The information given in this ESD BOOK is based on CEI/IEC 61340-5-1: 1998 and
CEI/IEC 61340-5-2/TS:1999 published by the International Electrotechnical
Commission, 3, rue de Varambe, Geneva, Switzerland. http://www.iec.ch.
It is recommended to buy the IEC 61340-5-1
Technical Report and IEC 61340-5-2 Technical
Specification, or their national versions, as IEC
documents, they have world-wide applicability .

STANDARDS

IEC 61340-5-1

Protection of electronic devices from electrostatic

phenomena - General requirements (1999)

IEC 61340-5-2

Protection of electronic devices from electrostatic

phenomena - User Guide (1999)

IEC 61340-4-1

Electrical resistance of floor coverings and installed floors

ANSI/ESD S20.20-1999 Protection of Electrical and Electronic Parts, Assemblies

and Equipment USA 1999
(download free in pdf
format, source www.esda.org )
ANSI/ESD S541-2003 Packaging Materials for ESD Sensitive Items USA 2003 (download free in pdf format, source
www.esda.org )

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ESD BOOK
PROTECTION FROM ELECTROSTATIC
DISCHARGES IN THE ELECTRONIC
ENVIRONMENTS
CONTENTS

References Standards
What is ESD ?
ESD damage
Material classification
ESD protections
Labels
Signs
Grounding: wrist-straps, foot grounders
Grounding: garments, gloves, chairs
EPA ESD protected area
Typical Workstation
Monitoring
Monitoring
In Field working, tools
Safety
Handling
Carts and Shelving
Packaging General
Packaging - Bags
Flooring
Humidity Control - Ionization
Ionization
Testing
Testing
Testing
Testing
Training - Visitors
Check list

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2
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22 - 23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

page 3

SD

Electro Static Discharge

what is it ?

Electrostatic discharge is defined as the transfer of charge between bodies at

different electrical potentials. The electrostatic charge occurs when two different
materials rub or slide together or are separated.
Examples are :
- walking over synthetic floors
- rubbing of synthetic garments
- shifting of plastic boxes
- unrolling of PVC adhesive tape
- moving of conveyor belt
Static electricity can build up high voltages in modern operating environments over 10kV is not uncommon, and with related humidity lower than 20%, over 30 kV
has been recorded.

- - - - - -

When two objects with different charges

get closer, electrons can suddenly flow
from one object to the other.

+ +
+ + ++ +
+
+
+ +

ESD can also occur when a high

electric field develops between two
objects in close proximity.

CMOS
page 4

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higher costs
lower quality
unhappy customers

ESD can results in :

ES

Many of the common activities may generate charges harmful to components

STATIC GENERATION TYPICAL VOLTAGE LEVELS
10-25% RH

Means of generation

65-90% RH

Walking across carpet

35,000

Volt

1,500

Walking across vinyl tile

12,000

Volt

250

Volt

Worker at bench

6,000

Volt

100

Volt

Poly bag picked up from bench

20,000

Volt

1,200

Volt

Chair with urethane foam

18,000

Volt

1,500

Volt

DEVICE TYPE

ESD SUSCEPTIBILITY

Volt

DEVICE TYPE

ESD SUSCEPTIBILITY

VMOS

30 - 1,800

Volt

CMOS

250 - 3,000 Volt

MOSFET

100 - 200

Volt

OP-AMP

190 - 2,500 Volt

GaAsFET

100 - 300

Volt

BI-POLAR TRANSISTORS

380 - 7,000 Volt

SCHOTTKY DIODES

300 - 2,500 Volt

SCHOTTKY TTL

1000 - 2,500 Volt

EPROM
JFET

100

Volt

140 - 7,000 Volt

Catastrophic in-house failure

Limited cost
It is the easiest type of ESD
damage normally detected
during testing

ESD DAMAGE COST LEVELS

Latent failure

ESDBOOK

Higher cost due to:

- customer support
- servicing facility
- replacement equipment
- loss of reputation
- loss of customers

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For ESD purposes, many materials are classified by their

resistance or resistivity characteristics.

SURFACE RESISTANCE W
Conductive
materials

Static-dissipative
materials

SHIELDING
materials
103

105

Insulative
materials
1012

Surface resistance measurements are not always appropriate to establish the

effectiveness of the materials, where resistance is higher than 1x1010 W, or where
the material is of non-homogeneous woven it is mandatory to measure the decay
time of the generated charge
ELECTROSTATIC SHIELDING MATERIALS
providing a Faraday cage protection, limit the passage of current and attenuate the
energy resulting from an electrostatic discharge. Most static shielding materials
include a conductive (less than 1x103 W) metal or carbon element that suppresses
the field, attenuates, or reflects field energy.
CONDUCTIVE MATERIALS
characterised by a low electrical resistance (less than 1x105 W), allow the charge
to quickly distribute itself throughout the material.
If the conductive material is connected to ground , all charge will flow away.
Some examples of conductors are metals, carbon and the human body's sweat
layer.
STATIC-DISSIPATIVE MATERIALS
are defined as those having a surface resistance greater than 1 x 105 W but less
than 1 x 1012 W.
Charges will flow to ground slower than with conductive materials, reducing its
destroying potential.
INSULATIVE MATERIALS
are defined as those having a surface resistance of at least 1 x 1012 W.
Insulative materials have a high electrical resistance and are difficult to ground.
Static charges remain in place on these materials for a very long time.
This property make insulators a hazard that must be controlled as part of an
ESD program.
Some examples of insulators are common plastics, glass and air.

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ESD DAMAGE CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME:

GOODS INPUT
ACCEPTANCE
PRODUCTION
ASSEMBLY
TESTING
STORING
PACKING
SHIPPING
MAINTENANCE
BASIC ESD CONTROLS
GROUNDING
SHIELDING
NEUTRALIZATION (ionizers)

Four gold rules

1 - Assume that all active components are sensitive to ESD

2 - 1 Handle electronic components only in the ESD protected area (EPA)

and only when you are properly grounded.

3 - Store and transport the ESD-sensitive items in ESD protective containers.

4 -Check regularly the ESD protection system, internal and external (suppliers)
Take in evidence the principle 'No Charge/No discharge' , the elimination of charge
build-up is obtained by using conductive and dissipative materials that have less
tendency to generate static charges.
All equipment must be free of moving parts that may generate charges, e.g., rubber
rollers, plastic stoppers, etc.
Things which the devices may come in contact with or get transported on must also be
antistatic or conductive.
The use of ionizers to neutralize newly generated charges will also prevent charge
build-up.
The minimization of movements in the work area, as well the use of ESD-safe
equipment, will help in minimizing static charges generated by personnel.

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BASIC SYMBOL
The basic symbol consists of a yellow hand within
a black triangle. It is intended to identify devices
and assemblies which are ESD sensitive.

min. 4mm

PROTECTION SYMBOL
Used to designate all ESD protective products
such as bags, boxes, garments.
A letter is added under the symbol to indicate the
primary function:

C
D
S
L

conductive
dissipative
shielding
low charging

EPA LABEL
Used to designate EPA equipments such as
tables, trolleys, chairs .

EPA

ATTENTION
OBSERVE PRECAUTIONS
FOR HANDLING
ELECTROSTATIC
DISCHARGE
SENSITIVE DEVICES

EARTH

min. 4mm

BONDING POINT

ESD CAUTIONARY SYMBOL

page 8

EARTH BONDING POINT (EBP)

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The signs are designed to attract attention and deliver a clear

message to personnel and visitors before they enter the EPA.
Where high voltages greater than 250VAC or 500VDC are
present, use proper warning signs.

EPA WARNING SIGN

ATTENTION

ESD PROTECTED AREA

OBSERVE
PRECAUTIONS FOR
HANDLING
ELECTROSTATIC
DISCHARGE
SENSITIVE DEVICES

EPA WHICH CONTAIN HIGH VOLTAGE

ATTENTION

HIGH VOLTAGE

ESD PROTECTED AREA

OBSERVE
PRECAUTIONS FOR
HANDLING
ELECTROSTATIC
DISCHARGE
SENSITIVE DEVICES

EPA EXIT SIGN

ATTENTION
YOU ARE LEAVING
THE EPA

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people are the primary source of electrostatic charges

The elimination of charge build-up is obtained by using conductive and dissipative

materials that have less tendency to generate static charges.
Grounding systems shall be used to ensure that components, personnel and any
other conductors are at the same electrical potential.
For proper and safe grounding the ESD ground must be tied directly to and at the
same potential as the building or green/yellow ground.

PERSONNEL GROUNDING DEVICES

The wrist strap is the most used device to
ground personnel,
it will safely and
effectively drain static charges from the
body.

Earth Bonding Point

1M

Someone offers ESD Wrist straps

without cord (cordless), we can
assure that are ineffective.

1MW

1MW

EBP
(earth bonding point)

Earth

In some locations, such as stores and

around equipment, conductive shoes or
foot grounders are used.
Foot grounders should be worn on both
feet to ensure constant contact to ground
floor or floor mat.
Foot grounders will not function properly if
used on surfaces which are insulative or
improperly grounded.

Earth

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Garments

The main purpose for wearing conductive

smocks is to suppress static fields on employee
clothing.
The conductive fibers woven into the material
provide a Faraday cage that prevents
dangerous fields from extending to and
damaging sensitive products.
There shall be electrical conductivity between
all parts of the garment.

Gloves
ESD sensitive device can experience a
damaging discharge if touched by a person,
even if that person is properly grounded.
Increasing the electrical path's contact
resistance is one way to control the speed of
the discharge.
A good way to accomplish this is by wearing
static dissipative cots and gloves.

Chairs
The resistance to ground from any part of the
seat which may have contact with personnel,
must be less than 1x1010W.
At least two castors or feet must provide a
path to ground.

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page 11

A
EP

ea An EPA (ESD Protected Area) is a defined space where no

r
A
items or activity are able to cause damage to a sensitive device.
In the simplest case - a field work station - it may consist of a
dissipative mat, a wrist strap and common grounding facility for
both.

MAXIMUM ALLOWED
ELECTROSTATIC FIELD:
100V/cm

17
4 3

12

7
6

13

18

EPA

16

2
14

11

5
15
1

10

8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Groundable castors
Groundable surface
Wrist-strap tester
Footwear tester
Footwear foot plate
Wrist cord and wrist band
Ground cord
Ground
Earth bonding point (EBP)
Groundable point of trolley

11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18

page 12

Toe and heel strap (footwear)

Ionizer
Static-dissipative working
surface
Seat with groundable
feet and pads
Static-dissipative floor
Low charging garments
Shelvings with grounded
surfaces
EPA sign

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TYPICAL WORKSTATION

It is important that each bench, or work surface, is covered with the proper
ESD material and properly connected to earth using a system of cords and
Earth Bonding Points (EBPs)
Wriststrarp with coiled cord,
1MW built-in

N
A
ARE
TED
TEC E
PRO OBSEORNVS FOR
UTI LING C
A
ESD
C
E
D
TI
NTIO

E
ATT

PR HAN OSTA
GE ES
CTR
ELEISCHAR
EVIC
D
E D
SITIV
SEN

Earth Bonding Point

1MW

1M

1M W

EBP

Dissipative
footwear

Dissipative flooring
connected to the EBP
(Earth Bonding Point)

Earth

When using this

type of grounding
method be sure that
the total resistance
"hand to earth" is
lower than
3.5x107W.
Ground all soldering iron tips.
Rg max 1x107W

Remove all extraneous materials from the workstation (food, beverages,

combs, bags, clothing etc)
Test the wrist strap/operator daily or install constant monitors.
Inspect the ESD grounding connections, the mats, the EBP, weekly.
Clean the surfaces with purpose-made antistatic cleaner, do not use
commercial products, the cleaners may leave a residue insulative layer.

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Check your ESD equipment regularly

ESD protection systems as wrist straps, foot grounders, work surfaces and floors
need to be checked on a regular basis. This is an important requirement of the ESD
standard IEC 61340-5-1.
WRISTLAB TEST STATION
HOW TO TEST YOUR WRIST STRAP

Personnel testing

1) Indossare il bracciale. Assicurarsi che sia aderente.

LO BAT

3) Collegare il cordone nell'ingresso "ATTACH CORD".

4) Premere con le dita "TOUCHPLATE" .
5)ATTENZIONE a non alterare la misura toccando con
l'altra mano il tester o il bracciale.

FAIL

LOW

PASS

HIGH

FAIL

WRISTLAB

PERSONNEL
CIRCUIT
TESTER

TOUCHPLATE

6) La luce verde ed il buzzer indicano che il bracciale

e l'operatore sono conformi.
7) la luce rossa o gialla segnalano non-conformit.

The personnel grounding tester is a wrist

strap and/or footwear tester to check
personnel grounding systems before entering
an EPA.

FOOTWEAR
35

FOOTWEAR
100

CORD TEST
END

CORD TEST
ATTACH

ATTACH
CORD

8) L'indicatore "LO-BAT" segnala batteria esaurita.

mod.9265.026

check wrist straps and footwear twice a day

For standing operations

ESD flooring used with approved footwear, may be an alternative to the wrist strap
system, in this case the standard is more restrictive and one of the following
conditions must be met:
- the resistance of the person to the ground must be less than 3.5x107

- the maximum body voltage generation must be less than 100 volts.
It is easier to check the first condition, we suggest to use a Megaohmmeter with
one lead attached to the ground and one electrode held by the person wearing
ESD footwear standing on the factory's protective floor.

check the "footwear/flooring system" twice a year

Garments

Rs < 1 x 1012

Charge decay  2s

Glove and finger coats as worn

7.5 x 105  Rg  1x 1012

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Monitors can be used to constantly monitor ESD

to Continuous
protective items such as wrist straps, work surfaces and floors, all the

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systems provide visual and audible alarms. Continuous monitoring

reduces but not replace the periodic checks.

CONTINUOUS MONITORING METHODS

Capacitive
affected by noise and capacitive
variations associated with personnel
and environmental conditions.
Dual-wire / Current loop
accurate but expensive system
requires special wrist straps
Wave distortion detection
good system not affected by
interference
check the continuous monitor functions semi-annually

EPA testing
check workstations, floor mats, ESD ground connections ,
ionizers monthly
check ESD control instruments annually
Resistance to ground should be:
Worksurface:

7.5 x 105W Rg 1 x 109W

Floors:

Rg 1 x 109W

Seating:

Rg 1 x 1010W

Tools:

Rg 1 x 1012W

Ionizers
Ionizers neutralize electrostatic charges with fans that blow large quantities
of positive and negative ions. Ionizers out of balance (different quantities
of negative and positive ions), can place a significant charge on items
instead of neutralizing the charges.

check ionizers monthly (see Test method on page 29)

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IN FIELD WORKS
ld
e
Fi Field work is perhaps the most risky situation of handling ESD sensitive

devices, it is also often the most neglected aspect of ESD damage

prevention. The situation is risky as there are usually many potential ESD
sources in the environment.
Spare parts should be transported inside static shielding bags or
containers .
Where modules have to be worked on in an exposed state, staticdissipative matting should be bonded to the product's electrostatic bonding
point, and to the ground to act as a work surface.

Typical "field service kit"

Wriststrap with
1MW resistor with
coiled cord

Static
dissipative
mat

Lay ESD sensitive

devices only on the mat
Grounding cord with
1MW resistor built-in

lsTools should not have insulating handles. Decay of charge to less than
o
of initial value (1000V) within 2 sec. is required.
To 10%
Soldering irons tips must be grounded to earth, and must be used only at
low voltages (6 to 24V)

Earth Bonding Point

1MW

pag.16

1M W

1MW

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Before we get to the key issues of ESD control, it is important to note that
personnel safety is paramount. In no way should an ESD control program
replace or supersede any requirements for personnel safety.

In the factory, grounding personnel around the AC power line is a possible

hazard. Personal grounding should not be used when working around
voltages greater than 250 VAC.
Although personal grounding items must include a 1MW resistor to limit
current to less than 0.25 mA, ground fault circuit interrupters should be
used.
Where high voltages greater than 250VAC or 500VDC are present, use
proper warning signs. (see page 9)

TYPICAL EPA AREA CONFIGURATION

WRISTSTRAP

1MW
WORKING BENCH

FLOORING

3 x 1MW
EARTH BONDING POINT

Safety
management is
responsible for
selecting
equipment that
complies with
applicable laws
and regulatory
codes.

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GROUNDING CONNECTION
< 1x 106 W

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TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE

Store and transport ESD-sensitive items properly

When transporting and storing ESD sensitive devices, use trays, racks, tote boxes
and bags made of conductive, dissipative or shielding materials.

To transport loose leaded devices,

conductive foam is often employed.
This prevents a potential difference of
more than a few volts appearing
across the pins.

Dissipative tubes are used for bulk

supply of dual-in-line packages.

Dissipative or conductive open

part bins, tote boxes, PCB holders,
trays, are used for subassemblies
and printed circuit boards.

Bags
Packaging used within an EPA shall be:
- all with low charge generation properties
- made in dissipative or conductive material
for intimate contact
(see page 21 for bag specifications)

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LABEST
AT A3

3-LAYERS

DISSIPATI
VE FILM

04
PE-L
D

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in Movement of carts and other wheeled equipment through the facility
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can generate static charges that can transfer to products being

transported.
ESD safe carts are made from dissipative or conductive materials
and are equipped with dissipative or conductive wheels.
If wheels are insulating the structure can be grounded to the floor
through a metallic chain.
If the floor of the EPA is not grounding, then the trolley should be
grounded from its grounding point to an earth bonding point, when
stationary for loading or unloading.

RACK, CART AND SHELVING

Every surface on which ESDS are placed must be connected to ground, and have a
point-to-point resistance between 1x104W and 1x1010W, and resistance-to-ground
between 7.5x105W and 1x109 W.
Surface to ground resistance values may be achieved by including discrete
resistors in the ground path, or by the resistance of the material which is directly
grounded.

Conductive wheels
When surfaces (example: crome plated steel) have a point to point resistance
lower than 1x104W, for housing ESD sensitive devices, use proper static
dissipative boxes or mats.

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The aim of ESD protective packaging is to prevent a direct electrostatic
c
a
discharge to the ESDS item contained within and allow for dissipation of
P
charge from the exterior surface. Packaging material will also often provide
mechanical protection and protection against contamination by dust or
humidity.
IEC 61340-5-1 defines three levels of packaging:
Intimate

in contact with the ESDS

proximity

does not make contact with the ESDS, but may enclose
one or more ESDS

secondary

mainly used to give physical protection, is kept away from

ESDS and is not allowed in the EPA

INSIDE THE EPA

ESDS

Intimate

Proximity

Intimate

Proximity

Either low charging

and conductive
or low charging
and static-dissipative

Low charging
and electrostatic
shielding or
low charging and
conductive or
static-dissipative

As for inside
EPA

Electrostatic
shielding

(for powered ESDS only

low charging and
static-dissipative
above 1x109 W
shall be used)
Non ESDS

OUTSIDE THE EPA

Dissipative or low charging

No requirements

Note: Where surface resistance >1x 1010 W is used, the material shall be procured with a
T1000 < 2 sec

caution in purchasing:
some packaging materials may be humidity dependent and may have limited shelf
life, some other may contaminate or shed particles that cause production-related
problems. ( example: a too brittle hard foam)

page 20

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BAGS
ka
c
(low charge)
Pa antistatic
Use:
within the EPA for packing non-ESD sensitive
Cost:
Appearance:

items
low
clear or tinted (pink, blue, green)

Material:

Polyethylene mono or multilayer

Characteristics Rs 1x1010 to 1x1012 W

T1000 < 2 sec at 50% rH, 22C
Shelf-life:

generally 1 year

conductive

Cost:
Appearance:

good degree of protection for many ESD

sensitive items. Don't use with powered
devices.
medium
black

Material:

polyethylene with carbon added

Use:

Characteristics Rs 1x103 to 1x105 W

Shelf-life:

more than 5 years

shielding
Use:
Cost:
Appearance:

for intimate packaging of all ESD sensitive

items.
high
metallized semi-transparent

generally a vacuum deposited aluminium

between layers of polyester and polyethylene
film
Characteristics shielding bags meet the two main requirements: low charging and electrostatic
discharge shielding barrier.
more than 2 years
Shelf-life:
Material:

moisture barrier
Corrosion and thus moisture protection is becoming increasingly important, Dry
Packaging is usually required for electronic devices that have to be placed into long
term storage. To provide a complete protection of devices, one desiccant pack and
one Humidity Monitor Card are inserted into the bag prior the vacuum sealing.

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Static protective permanent flooring, in conjunction with conductive

footwear or heel grounding straps, drains static charge away to ground
through the floor.
It is a solid foundation for a comprehensive static control system.
In addition to dissipating charges, the static-dissipative flooring
reduces triboelectric charge generation in walking and minimise
charge accumulation on chairs, carts, lift trucks and other objects that
move across the floor. However, these items require dissipative or
conductive castors or wheels to make electrical contact with the floor.
Use dissipative shoes or
footgrounders on
ESD protective flooring

Lower conductive layer

Concrete subfloor

Dissipative floor

Rs
1 x 1010W
Rg
1 x 109W

Recommendations
- choose a floor covering with Rg lower than 3,5x107W, this enable the
grounding of personnel via the flooring-footwear system (see page
14) in alternative with the wriststrap system.
- choose a floor covering suitable for your traffic level (frequency, weight,
type of castors )
- take in consideration the sound absorption, anti-fatigue and anti slip
properties
- ask to the supplier a guarantee that the earth leakage resistance will be
maintained, throughout the useful life of the floor material.

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With reference to the installation systems, static control flooring

can be classified into three groups:

Permanently installed floors

Vinyl tiles
usually earthed via a strip of copper foil and bonded with conductive acrylic
adhesive.
Aesthetically attractive
Poor heat and chemical resistance
Rubber tiles
usually earthed via a strip of copper foil and bonded with conductive acrylic
adhesive.
Excellent heat and chemical resistance
Carpet
Aesthetically attractive, mostly used in offices
Difficult to reach a good static dissipation
Resinous flooring (Epoxy, vinyl ester, polyurethane coating)
Variable thickness for different traffic condition
Chemical resistant.
Easy to clean.
Topcoats may get scratched or abraded

Periodically applied topical coatings on existing floor surfaces

Lower material cost, easy to apply
Difficult to reach a good static dissipation
Worn away easily and frequent recoating is required

Mats placed over existing floors

Vinyl mats
Possibility to move the mat
Poor heat and chemical resistance
Limited coverage area
Rubber mats
Possibility to move the mat
Excellent heat and chemical resistance
Limited coverage area
Grid mats (polypropylene, polyethylene)
Possibility to move the mat
Good operator comfort, insulation from cold floor
Limited coverage area

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The most significant environmental factor in ESD Control is

the relative humidity (Rh)

When humidity in the working environment decreases, the human body and
other insulators can easily charge with static electricity due to friction. The air
itself, being dry, becomes a part of the electrostatic build-up mechanism, every
time an air flow (wind, air conditioning, blower) come over an insulated surface.
Relative Humidity shall be maintained over 30%.
Below that value it is recommended the use of ionization.
Environmental Monitoring
Each EPA area shall be equipped with a Humidity/Temperature meter to record
these data.These informations are useful to establish the distribution through
the time of ESD related failures (needed to the Failure Process Analysis).

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Where grounding of some equipment or parts of it through

the traditional earthing techniques is impractical and where
it is impossible to exclude all charging materials from the
working area, the use of suitable ionizers is highly

Air Ionization systems work by flooding the atmosphere with positive and
negative ions.
When the ionized air comes in contact with a charged surface, the surface
attracts ions of the opposite polarity. As a result the static electricity that has built
up on products and equipment is neutralised.
Ions do remove small particles or smoke and pollens from the air, and subjective
research suggest that people working in ionized area are happier.
IONIZER

Nuclear

High maintenance required

AC

Low discharge time when using high

volume blowers
Very Low discharge time

DC
PROTECTION

Local
(little area)

bench Ionizers
Ionizing bars
Ionizing guns

Complete
(whole room)

Manual Environmental Control

Automatic Environmental Control

Maximum Ozone generation accepted by law: 0.2mg per m3(0.1ppm)

DC Ionizers with balanced ions emission are the best solution for local
protection.

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some types of ionizers

BENCH TOP
IONIZING BLOWER

OVERHEAD IONIZING BLOWER

AIR FORCE
BLOW-OFF GUN
very useful to blow off
charged dust particles from
electronic card, and other
equipment or materials.

The most common test to evaluate air ionizer performance is the static decay
time measurement (see pag. 29)

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page 25

tin

RESISTANCE MEASUREMENTS

s
measurement is the most common tests to verify the efficiency of
Te Resistance
working surfaces
POINT TO POINT
RESISTANCE
Is the resistance measured
between two points on the
surface using a Megaohmmeter
with two electrodes.

Always record:
T (C)
Rh (%)
values, as the resistance
measurements may change
with these two parameters.

RESISTANCE TO GROUND
should be measured using a
Megohmeter with one
electrode placed on the
surface and the other
terminal connected to the
groundable point.
The resistance should
measure between
7.5x105 and 1x109 W.

For many materials, the measured

resistance depends on the applied
voltage; according to IEC61340-4-1 the
test voltage applied by the Megohmeter
is given in the following table

Rx 1x105

Open circuit
test voltage (V)
10

1x105< Rx 1x1012

100

Rx (W)

Cylindrical probes with 63mm diameter and 2.3kg weight, meets IEC and
ANSI/ESD standards.

page 26

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MEASURE
ENTER

PROG

Vtest

OFF

GIGALAB

st
e
T

SURFACE RESISTIVITY
RESISTANCE METER
10V
1K W
10GW
100V
100K W
100G W
500V
1M W
500G W

ng

CONCENTRIC
RING PROBE

MATERIAL UNDER TEST

Defines the electrical resistance of

the surface of the material, it is
expressed in W/square and
theoretically is 10 times greater than
the point to point resistance.
Measurements can be made using a
square probe with two parallel
electrodes or a concentric ring
probe, in compliance with
IEC61340-5-1 .
Always record:
T (C)
Rh (%)
values, as the resistance
measurements may change
with these two parameters.

100V
10V
500V

100K
1KW W
1M W

100G
10GW
500G W

RESISTANCE METER

MEASURE
ENTER

PROG

Vtest

OFF

GIGALAB

VOLUME RESISTANCE

MATERIAL
UNDER TEST

COUNTER-ELECTRODE

Is defined as the ratio of dc voltage

to current passing between two
electrodes (of a specified
configuration) that contact opposite
sides of the material of the object
under test. Volume resistance is
measured in W.
It is normal to test mats or sheets
with a cylindrical probe and a flat
counter-electrode

RESISTANCE METER
10V
1K W
10GW
100V
100K W
100G W
500V
1M W
500G W

MEASURE
ENTER

PROG

Vtest

OFF

GIGALAB

PERSON TO GROUND
RESISTANCE
Measuring Resistance through a
Person to Ground according
IEC61340-4-5 for the
measurement of a resistance
through the combination of a
person /shoes / flooring system .
FLOOR

ESDBOOK

page 27

g
n
i
t

some hand-held electrostatic instruments useful to locate

static charge problems

s
TeElectrostatic FIELDMETER

The accurate measurement of electrostatic fields requires the operator to be familiar

with this type of equipment.
Most hand-held meters require the measure to be taken at a fixed distance from the
object (typical distance is one inch). Equipment manufacturers typically specify that
the object being measured needs to have certain minimum dimensions. Objects
smaller than the minimum dimensions may not provide an accurate reading.
1 inch (25.4mm)

ground
the case

Electrostatic VOLTMETER
There exist noncontacting instruments that can provide accurate measurements at a
wide probe-to-surface spacing range and can inspect small charged areas on the
surface under test. The higher spot resolution capability is useful to locate charges on
non homogeneous materials.
5-25mm

ground
the case
choose instruments that make accurate
measurements in ionized environments too.

page 28

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tin

VERIFICATION OF AIR IONIZERS

s
Te IONIZATION TEST KIT

An ionization test kit can very quickly verify the proper functioning of an ionizer.
The ionization test kit should be grounded and placed in the ionized airflow to
measure the decay time and the balance of air ionization equipment, the
charger is used to charge an isolated plate applied on the field-meter.
charged
electrode placed
in the ionizer air
stream

charger
( 1000Vdc )
ionizer
ground
the case

digital field meter

CHARGED PLATE MONITOR

Charged plate monitor tests the efficiency of ionizer's ion production by
measuring how long it takes air ions produced to discharge a floating ion
collecting plate that has been precharged to either a positive or negative
charge level.
plate voltage
(adjustable)

decay time

charge plate placed in the ionized air stream

plate dimensions : 150x150mm
meet IEC and ANSI/ESD standards

ESDBOOK

page 29

n
ni

a
Tr

STANDARDS:

purchase, read and get familiar with the IEC 61340-5-1

Standards

ESD TEAM:

establish and organise an ESD Team responsible for the

ESD control program.

TRAINING:

train the operators to the use and check of personal

protection, handling, etc. Sub/contractors and visitors shall
be made aware of local ESD procedures.

VIDEO:

some video training on ESD event, cause and effect,

examples, demonstration, will get everyone aware of this
important problematic.

SIGNALING:

clear signs to identify the Electrostatic Protected Area or

any ESD hazard, shall be widely and properly used to alert
operators, or to draw their attention over protection.

DISCIPLINE:

Manager and technicians shall always respect the

standards and quality procedure so as to give a good
example to the operators.

r
ito

s
Vi

Visitors entering the EPA shall behave properly to prevent any ESD
damage or danger.
In case of a conductive floor they shall wear ESD heel and toe
grounder, which also exist in the economic disposable version.
It is recommended to wear an antistatic overall, and also a
connected wrist-strap in case of PCB or component manipulation.

page 30

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t
s
i
l

k
c
e

Ch

Simple Audit Check List for ESD Control Program.

It is essential to implement corrective action if deficiencies are discovered.

YES

NO

- Are personnel wearing grounded wrist straps at

the ESD protective workstations?
- Are personnel checking regularly their wrist
strap's continuity or using a continuous ground
monitor?
- Is the ESD equipment at the workstation properly
grounded ?
- Where ESD protective flooring is used, are
dissipative footwear worn?
- Where ESD protective floors and footwear are
used, do personnel check continuity to ground
upon entering the area?
- When required, are ESD protective garments
correctly worn ?
- Is the workstation clear of all not-essential
personal items ?
- Are all ESD sensitive devices stored and
transported in static- shielding container ?

- Are all ESD sensitive devices correctly labelled ?

- Are visitors crossing the EPA using proper ESD

protection ?
- Do you report any ESD hazards that you notice
to your ESD responsible?

ESDBOOK

page 31

ec o

Licefa
ION SYSTEMS

TRESTON