ESD
From uCtrl.net
Electrostatic Discharge.
Contents |
Information
Static electricity is something we all know, if you rub a balloon on your head it will stick to the ceiling. Or how we sometimes gets a shock from the door handle on the car. Electrostatic discharges can be harmful for sensitive components. When taking of a woolen sweater 15 to 20.000 volts is generated, this is more then enough to break a IC circuit.
If you touch something grounded before working with electronics you are safer, but not completely safe. You can build up a charge while working or sitting down or getting up. A grounded wrist wrap (see images) will secure that you are constantly connected to ground, this prevents buildup of static electricity. For further protection you can use ESD mats (see images) on your work bench. These are connected to ground via a 1Mohm resistor in series. Everything on these mats will be discharged in a controlled manner. To eliminate ESD related problems the humidity should be between 30 and 60% RH.
Symbols
Electrostatic discharge |
 Attention EPA |
 Attention handling |
 Bonding point |
 EPA |
 EPA boundary |
 High voltage EPA |
 Leaving EPA |
Images
 ESD mats 1 |
 ESD mats 2 |
 ESD wrist wrap |
