Everyone knows what static electricity feels like. We’ve all touched a charged piece of clothing and got a small electric shock; surprising but essentially harmless. If an electronic component or device is subjected to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) it could have a much greater impact, damaging other components, itself and the working environment.
The cost of a single ESD failure in the field or in-house can be hugely significant. Businesses aim to prevent possible damage and reliability problems by storing, assembling and handling equipment in electrostatic safe conditions.
From bags to grounding straps, storage bins to stationery, gloves and shoes to antistatic matting, Rapid offers an extensive range of ESD products from leading brands such as Antistat and Bondline.
The Ground Rules
For areas where electronics are being assembled, refurbished or repaired – as with any home or office – proper grounding is essential.
Human beings are the greatest single source of ESD. Anyone working at a bench in an ESD protected area must wear a wrist strap, even if they also wear heel straps or ESD-control shoes. This allows static potential on a person to equalize with ground. Walking across a carpet can produce anything up to 35,000 volts, and a worker at a bench between 700 to 6000 volts.
Grounding ensures that equipment and workers are protected from electrical surges and harmful voltages. But because of the increased contact with ESD-sensitive parts, special accommodation for ESD needs to be made.
It is important to ensure that personnel and equipment is at the same electrical potential. To do this all components of the work area need to be grounded to the same electrical ground point. This includes work surfaces, personnel and equipment.
