WHAT IS
ESD
AND WHY THE PROTECTION
AGAINST IT IS SO
IMPORTANT!
26 %
ESD damage
User error
32 %
manufacturing
error
20 %
not
analyzed
3 %
no error
20 %
FAILURE CAUSE
ELECTRONICAL
COMPONENTS
ELECTROSTATIC CHARGE
AND THEIR POSSIBLE
CAUSE
35.000
–
–
–
–
20.000
18.000
12.000
7.000
6.000
1.500
1.200
air humidity 10 - 20 %
air humidity 65 - 90 %
POTENTIAL
EQUALIZATION
600
250
+
+
+
+
100
VO LT
SOURCE
run over
the carpet
bag
plastic
chair
padded
run over
linoleum
papers in
plastic cover
work on
the workbench
ESD
THE INVISIBLE
DANGER
WHAT DOES ESD MEAN?
ESD stands for Electro Static Discharge.
It is caused by the sudden equalisation
of charge between objects with a different
charge potential. This discharge can generate
a large amount of electrical current.
HOW IS ELECTROSTATIC CHARGE
GENERATED?
Every object has positive and negative
elementary particles. Positive and negative
charges normally neutralise each other. Objects
are electrically neutral. However, if an object loses
electrons, an imbalance arises.
This imbalance is called the charge potential.
Charged objects have a tendency to equalise by
discharging. In the event of a sudden discharge,
high currents flow in a small electronic component.
ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE
IN EVERYDAY LIFE
The most visible form of electrostatic discharge is
lightning during a storm, when clouds with different
potentials abruptly discharge. All of us have at one
point experienced a sudden discharge, such as after
walking across a carpeted floor and then touching the
handle of a door.
CAR DOOR DOOR HANDLE GREETING
COMPONENT SENSITIVITY
The ESD sensitivity of electronic
components is rising as component parts
are increasingly miniaturised. Moreover, even
smaller components offer less and less space for
protective circuits on microchips. In order to save
energy, components need to get by on less power.
A discharge of just 50 volts is enough to cause
damage to a blue LED, for example. SMDs are
already at risk at voltages of more than 100 volts. In
contrast to this, the human ability to perceive ESD
is very limited. Discharges can only be felt from
voltages of 3500 Volt, audible from 4500 volts and
visible from 10000 volts.
DETECTING AND ELIMINATING ERRORS
ESD damage to components is normally not visible
to the naked eye. Even tiny discharges can lead to
complete failure. These direct errors can usually
be identified during quality control. So-called latent
errors are especially critical, as they only become
apparent when products are in operation. The
time and effort needed to eliminate these intrinsic
errors cause the greatest costs. ESD damage
generally concerns latent damage. It is therefore
absolutely essential that the appropriate precautions are taken.
LATENT ERROR
(intrinsic error)
DIRECT ERROR
ESD
HOW TO PROTECT
YOURSELF AND
YOUR COMPONENTS
You can protect ESD-sensitive components
by storing, handling and packing them in a
completely EDS protected environment.
Precautionary measures are taken in these areas to
eliminate electrostatic build-up.
The difference in potential is neutralised by slowly
dissipating the charge, thereby preventing a sudden
discharge. This abrupt release constitutes the real
danger. A very short and rapid discharge generates a
very high discharge current.
WHAT DOES THE NORM SAY?
DIN-EN61340-5-1/VDE0300
„Protection of electronic devices from
electrostatic phenomena“ General
requirements;
DIN-EN61340-5-2/VDE0300
„Protection of electronic devices from
electrostatic phenomena“, User guide;
DIN-EN61340-2-1/VDE0300
„Measurement methods – Ability of materials and
products to dissipate static electric charge“;
DIN-EN61340-4-1/VDE0300
„Standard test methods for specifi c applications –
Electrical resistance of fl oor coverings and
installed fl oors“;
DIN-EN61340-4-3/VDE0300
„Standard test methods for specifi c
applications – footwear“;
DIN-EN61340-4-5/VDE0300
„Standard test methods for specifi c applications –
Methods for characterizing the electrostatic
protection of footwear and fl ooring in
combination with a person“.
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