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Electrostatic Discharge

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) occurs when static electricity builds up on objects and discharges, potentially damaging electronic components. All materials can accumulate static charges, with human skin and plastic commonly becoming positively charged. ESD damage happens when a static charge flows through semiconductor junctions in integrated circuits. Common sources of ESD include handling electronics without a grounded wrist strap, placing synthetic materials near devices, and circulating air. ESD can be measured with a voltmeter and prevented by grounding equipment, separating insulators from electronics, and treating surfaces that accumulate static charges.

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118 views3 pages

Electrostatic Discharge

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) occurs when static electricity builds up on objects and discharges, potentially damaging electronic components. All materials can accumulate static charges, with human skin and plastic commonly becoming positively charged. ESD damage happens when a static charge flows through semiconductor junctions in integrated circuits. Common sources of ESD include handling electronics without a grounded wrist strap, placing synthetic materials near devices, and circulating air. ESD can be measured with a voltmeter and prevented by grounding equipment, separating insulators from electronics, and treating surfaces that accumulate static charges.

Uploaded by

anwarr4040
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Electrostatic Discharge

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) has been around since the beginning of time. However,
this natural phenomenon has only become an issue with the widespread use of solid-
state electronics.

Sources of ESD

All materials (insulators and conductors alike) are sources of ESD. They are lumped
together in what is known as the triboelectric series, which defines the materials
associated with positive or negative charges. Positive charges accumulate
predominantly on human skin or animal fur. Negative charges are more common to
synthetic materials such as Styrofoam or plastic cups. The amount of electrostatic
charge that can accumulate on any item is dependent on its capacity to store a
charge. For example, the human body can store a charge equal to 250 picofarads.
This correlates into a stored charge that can be as high as 25,000V.

How does ESD damage electronic circuitry?

ESD is a tiny version of lightning. As the current dissipates through an object, it's
seeking a low impedance path to ground to equalize potentials. In most cases, ESD
currents will travel to ground via the metal chassis frame of a device. However, it's
well known that current will travel on every available path. In some cases, one path
may be between the PN junctions on integrated circuits to reach ground. This
current flow will burn holes visible to the naked eye in an integrated circuit, with
evidence of heat damage to the surrounding area. One ESD event will not disrupt
equipment operation. However, repeated events will degrade equipment's internal
components over time.

How does ESD occur?

ESD can occur in a variety of forms. One of the most common is through human
contact with sensitive devices. Human touch is only sensitive on ESD levels that
exceed 4,000V.

A recent investigation found the human body and its clothing capable of storing
between 500V and 2,500V electrostatic during the normal workday. This is far above
the level that damages circuits yet below the human perception threshold. Other
sources of ESD damage to equipment include:
• Troubleshooting electronic equipment or handling of printed circuit boards
without using an electrostatic wrist strap;

• Placement of synthetic materials (i.e. plastic, Styrofoam, etc.) on or near electronic


equipment; and

• Rapid movement of air near electronic equipment (including using compressed air
to blow dirt off printed circuit boards, circulating fans blowing on electronic
equipment, or using an electronic device close to an air handling system).

In all of these scenarios, the accumulation of static charges may occur, but you may
never know. Furthermore, a charged object does not necessarily have to contact the
item for an ESD event to occur.

How do you measure electrostatic voltage?

One of the most effective ways to identify potential ESD problem areas is to make
measurements using an electrostatic voltmeter. This meter will effectively measure
electrostatic voltage up to 30,000V on all conductors and insulators. It also will
display whether the charge is negative or positive. This may help you determine the
source of the electrostatic accumulation.

How can you prevent ESD?

It's unlikely you can eliminate ESD completely from any site. However, experience
has shown that the following guidelines are helpful:

• Keep all synthetic materials at least 4 in. away from electronic equipment.

• When cleaning printed circuit boards, use a spray labeled as non-static forming.

• When troubleshooting electronic equipment, always wear a static wrist strap that's
grounded to the frame of the device. Also, wear the wrist strap when handling
printed circuit boards.

• Treat carpets and floors with compounds that reduce the buildup of static charges.

• Use static floor mats where necessary.


• Make sure the grounding system for equipment has a low impedance for ESD
currents to dissipate to an earthing reference. For more information, refer to NFPA-
77, Recommended Practice on Static Electricity.

Static Electricity
It's the accumulation of positive or negative charges on insulators or conductors.
These charges can vary, based on the stored capacitance of certain items with respect
to an object having a corresponding opposite charge. The word static simply means
the charge cannot be equalized or transferred through electromotive force until there
is a decrease in the capacitance between two objects. An example of this can be your
hand (which may hold a negative charge) as it approaches a doorknob (which may
hold a positive charge). As your hand moves closer to the doorknob, the capacitance
between the object and your hand will decrease. This results in a flow of current
between your hand and the doorknob. This transfer is known as electrostatic
discharge, or ESD.

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