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…
The major advantage* of ESD shoes is that they do not require a tab to connect to the operator. Conductive additives are blended into the sole (inside to outside) of the ESD shoes and connects (through the sweat layer) to the operator’s feet. However, there are a number of other considerations to when selecting ESD…
A complete static control program must also deal with isolated conductors that cannot be grounded and insulating materials (e.g., most common plastics). If an insulator cannot be removed from the ESD Protected Area, substituted with an ESD protective version, or controlled with a topical antistat, ionization must be used. These insulators are often referred to…
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…
The ESDA established the TR53 Technician Certification Program, which is based on the ESDA’s technical report, ESD-TR53 Compliance Verification of ESD Protective Equipment and Materials. This important document supports and maintains static control programs designed around ANSI/ESD S20.20 Standard for the Development of an Electrostatic Discharge Control Program for Protection of Electrical and Electronic Parts,…
The ideal ESD Control Plan is one that improves productivity, quality, and reliability, in addition to being flexible enough to accommodate changes and improvements in the manufacturing process. ESD Control Plans must evolve to keep pace with costs, device sensitivities, and the way devices are manufactured in the future. The management of an on-going ESD…
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…
As pointed out by the ESD Association, “Certification provides confirmation that a person meets certain criteria of knowledge and problem-solving ability. Certification can be beneficial on multiple levels. For the certifying organization, it provides standard practices that create discipline within the industry, it provides awareness and advances in technology, and it can provide increased cooperation between…
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…