EMC implementation - Electrostatic discharge protection

Normally, the use of specific tools or packages is required to handle or carry electronics boards or components (CPU, memory, analog, PCMCIA modules, etc.)which are sensitive to Electrostatic discharge (ESD).

Our products comply with standard ESD tests but ESD conditions are in some cases over the specs.

ESD threat could cause semiconductors aging and failures. Without any care, the semiconductor devices could be damaged or burned without users noticing.

Solution

The use of specific anti ESD wrist strap is highly recommended. This wrist strap shall be installed inside each cabinet and correctly connected to the earthed cabinet metallic frame.

Provide a procedure which depicts the good conditions of use.

An example is shown below.

ESD Wrist Strap

Static electricity is produced by the contact and separation of materials: Shoes and floors,clothes and the human body, parts being moved on or from surfaces. The generated charge will reside on the body until it is discharged - the familiar "zap" that all of us have experienced. It's the "zap" that does the damage. If we can prevent any static charge from building up on the body, then there is essentially nothing to be discharged. A properly grounded wrist strap effectively prevents any static charge from building up. Any static charge that would tend to be created is instantly "drained" by the wirst strap. The wrist strap maintains the potential equilibrium that is accomplished the hard way with the "zap".

Fig. R30 : ESD wrist strap examples