ESD Protected Area (EPA)

Is the Same ESD Protection Needed Inside and Outside the EPA?

Desco April 30, 2026 0

Handling ESDS Items: Why ESD Requirements May Change Inside vs. Outside the EPAElectrostatic discharge (ESD) control is not a single action—it is a system. One of the most important (and often misunderstood) transitions in that system occurs when an Electrostatic Discharge Sensitive (ESDS) item crosses the boundary of an Electrostatic Protected Area (EPA). Inside the…

Grounding: Key Rules and Regulations for ESD Footwear and Flooring Systems

Desco October 23, 2025 0

ESD footwear is vital in ESD Protected Areas (EPAs) as it provides grounding and dissipates static electricity, preventing damage to electronics. Compliance requires meeting strict standards, including daily testing of footwear. Using proper ESD testing equipment ensures safety and minimizes electrostatic risks, essential for protecting sensitive components and ensuring operational success.

Learn the Essentials of Electrostatic Discharge and ESD Prevention

Desco August 31, 2021 0

Newark is a high-service distributor of technology products (including Desco), services and solutions for electronic system design, maintenance and repair. They have created a learning module for ESD control on their Element14 site. The information covers the basics for ESD control in an electronics production area and includes a quiz at the end. To access…

Wave Distortion Technology on an Oscilloscope

Video Desco August 17, 2021 0

Verification of personnel (operator) grounding is a requirement for ESD control. Monitors can help provide knowledge the operator status continuously.

Installing Overhead Ionizers

Desco February 16, 2021 0

Mounting an ionizer in an electronics production area can be challenging. Ideally, an ionizer will meet the ESD Protected Area’s performance standards while not interfering with normal activity at the workstation. The ionizer should be pointed directly at the target area where ESD susceptible devices are located. The ionizer’s fan speed can be increased to…

The Should’s and SHALL’ s of ESD Control

Desco January 15, 2021 0

When it comes to documenting and implementing an ESD Control Plan, determining what “SHALL” or “Should” be implemented is important to consider. Whether a facility already has a formal ESD control Plan, is ESD Certified, or in the process of establishing an ESD Control Plan, these two little words are critical to the performance and compliance…

Access Control and ESD Control

Desco April 23, 2020 0

One of the tenants of a ESD Control Plan is controlling access to the ESD Protected Area. This is commonly accomplished by defining an area of a facility as the ESD Protected Area by taping off sections of the floor and placing signs to indicate that proper ESD control practices should be followed once an…

How to Create a New ESD Protected Area (EPA) from Scratch

Desco October 26, 2017 0

Setting up a new ESD Protected Area (EPA) can be a little daunting, especially if you are unfamiliar or relatively new to the concept of ESD Control. It would be nice to have a blue print for establishing an EPA, but in truth there is no exact formula as everyone’s situation is different. However, there…

How to Create an ESD Compliance Verification Plan

Desco September 15, 2017 0

Each component in an ESD protected area (EPA) plays a vital part in the fight against electrostatic discharge (ESD). If just one component is not performing correctly, you could harm your ESD sensitive devices, potentially costing your company a lot of money. The problem with many ESD protective products is that you can’t always see…

Using Data to Manage an ESD Control Plan

Desco June 3, 2016 0

The 6th generation of Desco dataloggers, the SmartLog® Pro, began shipping this week. The basic function of a datalogger has always been to record the data obtained from testing an operator’s wrist strap and/or foot grounders, but as the need for ESD control has advanced, so have the requirements of the testers. The SmartLog® Pro…