Grounding operators that handle ESD susceptible devices is one of the requirements for an ESD Control Plan. In fact, it is the basis of the ESD Association’s ANSI/ESD S20.20-2014 Standard. Grounding the body and maintaining maximum resistance to ground (Rtg) of less than 35 megohms prevents the operator from generating more than 100 volts. The…
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…
This video covers the fundamental principles for protecting ESD sensitive components in a electronics production environment. The presentation includes an explanation and demonstrations of Electrostatic Discharge (ESD), the different models for ESD events, and material types used in an ESD Protected Area (EPA). To learn how to build an effective ESD control program that is…
Lenovo Service posted a video on their youtube site called “Understanding Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) for Technicians.” We encourage you to take a look. The video is very informative and does a good job of covering the basics of ESD control when working with ESD susceptible devices or components. The basic practices of controlling ESD when…
Conductors Electrical current flows easily Can be grounded Materials that easily transfer electrons (or charge) are called conductors and are said to have “free” electrons. Some examples of conductors are metals, carbon, and the human body’s sweat layer. Grounding works effectively to remove ElectroStatic charges from conductors to ground. The other term often used in…
As electronic technology advances, electronic circuitry gets progressively smaller. As the size of components is reduced, so is the microscopic spacing of insulators and circuits within them, increasing their sensitivity to ESD. Industry experts estimate that average electronics product losses due to static discharge range from 8 to 33%. Others estimate the actual cost of ESD damage…
When setting up an ESD Protected Area (EPA), it’s important to determine what ESD Control measures are required. Not every EPA will be the same. The key is that an EPA will provide an environment where ESD is managed by 1) minimizing it’s build up and 2) dissipating it quickly without damaging electronic components. Below is an example of what you can…
The recent InCompliance article Achieving Perfect ESD Audits for S20.20 ESD Control Programs discusses the ESD Control Plan of General Dynamics Mission Systems facility in Bloomington, MN ESD Control Plan and their ongoing effort to manage the program. The article outlines the program as follows: ESD Training Program Recurrent ESD Auditing Program Changes Made to…
The 2007 version of the ANSI/ESD S20.20 has been updated. The ESDA continues to remove guidance from the ANSI/ESD S20.20 and focus the document on the requirements for an ESD Control Plan. Guidance for how to meet requirements of the ANSI/ESD S20.20 and how to mange the ESD Control Plan is detailed in the ESD Handbook-…
We are regularly asked if paper is OK in the ESD Protected Area or at an ESD workstation. Regular paper is insulative but tends to be low charging because it is hygroscopic (readily absorbs moisture). The primary concern with paper is placing ESD sensitive items on the paper interfering with the path-to-ground of the grounded ESD mat. Best practice…