ESD AWARENESS

BOOKLET

PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY

BEFORE WORKING ON
OR HANDLING
ESD SUSCEPTIBLE
COMPONENTS OR ASSEMBLIES
Use as part of Training Plan required by ANSI/ESD S20.20
DescoIndustries.com 06823
ESD CONTROL PROGRAM PLAN
ESD begins with an ESD control program. The ESD Association provides guidelines for setting up a program
in its publication ANSI/ESD S20.20:

“The Organization shall prepare an ESD Control Program Plan that addresses each of the
requirements of the Program. Those requirements include:
• Training
• Product Qualification
• Compliance Verification
• Grounding / Equipotential Bonding Systems
• Personnel Grounding
• ESD Protected Area
• Packaging Systems
• Marking
[ANSI/ESD S20.20 section 7.1]

“The selection of specific ESD control procedures or materials is at the option of the ESD Control Program
Plan preparer and should be based on risk assessment and the established electrostatic discharge
sensitivities of parts, assemblies, and equipment.” [ANSI/ESD S20.20 Annex B]

PRODUCT QUALIFICATION PLAN

Only ESD control products evaluated and approved by your company are to be used in the ESD control
program. ANSI/ESD S20.20 section 7.3 Product Qualification Plan includes “Any of the following methods can
be used: product specification review, independent laboratory evaluation or internal laboratory evaluation.”

TRAINING PLAN
“Initial and recurrent ESD awareness and prevention training shall be provided to all personnel who handle or
otherwise come into contact with any ESD Susceptible [ESD sensitive] items. Initial training shall be provided
before personnel handle ESD Susceptible items. The type and frequency of ESD training for personnel shall
be defined in the Training Plan. The Training Plan shall include a requirement for maintaining employee
training records and shall document where the records are stored. Training methods and the use of
specific techniques are at the Organization’s discretion. The training plan shall include the methods used by
the Organization to verify trainee comprehension and training adequacy.” [ANSI/ESD S20.20 section 7.2]

Desco Industries does not provide any express warranties and disclaims all statutory and implied
warranties (including implied warranty of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose) in the use of
this booklet. In no event shall Desco Industries be liable for any damages with respect to its furnishing of this
written document. ESD training should be repeated as specified in the company’s written ESD Control Plan.
The quizzes included in this booklet may be determined as possible “objective evaluation technique to ensure
trainee comprehension and training adequacy.” The written ESD Control Plan should be in accordance with
ANSI/ESD S20.20 (a complimentary.pdf copy can be downloaded at no charge from the ESD Association
website ESDA.org. Also, other documents such as the ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20 can be purchased).

“The 100 volt HBM limit was selected for ANSI/ESD S20.20 as the baseline susceptibility threshold since a large majority of the ESD
susceptible products on the market have a sensitivity of greater than 100 volts.” [ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20 section 1.1 Overview]
For more sensitive items such as HBM (Human Body Model) Class 0, see page 15 for suggested practices.

“ANSI/ESD S20.20 is the culmination of the ESD Association’s response to the request of the US Department of Defense to write
a commercial version of MIL-STD-1686, Electrostatic Discharge Control Program for Protection of Electrical and Electronic Parts,
Assemblies and Equipment (Excluding Electrically Initiated Explosive Devices).” [ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20 section 1.1 Overview]
see comparison of ANSI/ESD S20.20 and mil-STD01686B at www.ESDA.org/standards
 ESD BASICS FOR ESD PROGRAMS PER ANSI/ESD S20.20

Electrostatic Discharge [ESD] can damage • Use continuous monitors or test wrist straps
components and products containing at least daily
electronics. It is the hidden enemy in many • If ESD footwear is used, test at least daily
high-tech factories. Often this damage cannot be • Visually check that grounding cords are
detected by quality control inspections, and can
connected
be very frustrating; adversely impacting
• Keep wristband snug, foot grounder
productivity, quality, product reliability and thus a
company’s reputation and profitability. grounding tab in shoe, and ESD smocks
covering all clothing on torso
The prerequisites of ESD control are: • Keep work area clean and clear of all
• Identify ESD Protected Area [EPA] non-essential insulators, and neutralize
• Identify ESD sensitive items [ESD Susceptible] essential insulators with ionizers with the
• Provide ESD control training airflow directed towards the work area
• Use packaging with the discharge shielding
The ESD protected area should have signage, property to store or transport ESD Susceptible
often including aisle tape, to clearly identify outside the ESD Protected Area
where it is. You need to understand and
follow the basics of ESD control to limit the GROUNDING AND PERSONNEL SAFETY
generation of ElectroStatic charges, limit and
slow discharges in the ESD Protected Area. This booklet will deal with ESD basics.
ElectroStatic charges or static electricity can be
ESD BASICS everywhere. However, conductors can be
effectively grounded and charges removed to
Protect your work following these guidelines: ground. A fundamental rule in ESD control is to
• Only handle unpackaged ESD sensitive ground all conductors, including people.
items [ESD Susceptible] in the
ESD Protected Area While ESD control is important, it is of
secondary importance to employee safety.
[ESD Protected Area] when grounded
Personnel should not be grounded in situations
• Only allow trained or escorted people in the
where they could come into contact with voltage
ESD Protected Area over 250 volts AC.
• Ground all conductors including people in
the ESD Protected Area

UL Caution, Underwriters Laboratories states regarding listed personnel grounding items:

“Note: This product is not recommended for use on equipment with operating voltage exceeding 250 VAC.
CAUTION: The ESD Series is for electrostatic control. It will not reduce or increase your risk of receiving electric shock when using or
working on electrical equipment. Follow the same precautions you would use without [the personnel grounding item], including:
• Make certain that equipment having a grounding type plug is properly grounded.
• Make certain that you are not in contact with grounded objects other than through the ESD Series.”

1
STATIC ELECTRICITY, One surface has a positive charge and one
ELECTROSTATIC CHARGE surface has a negative charge.
All materials can tribocharge or generate
ElectroStatic charges. This is static electricity
which is an electrical charge at rest. When an CHARGE GENERATION OR 
electrical charge is not at rest, but discharges, TRIBOCHARGING EXAMPLES
problems can occur and we will discuss ESD
[ElectroStatic Discharge] in some detail later. The simple separation of two surfaces, as when
tape is pulled off a roll, can cause the transfer
of electrons between surfaces, generating an
ElectroStatic charge.

Static electricity can be a very

hair-raising event.
Remember that ElectroStatic charges and
ElectroStatic discharges are different.
• Unwinding a roll of tape
All matter is constructed from atoms which have • Gas or liquid moving through a hose or pipe
negatively charged electrons circling the atom’s
• A person walking across a floor with heels
nucleus which includes positively charged
and soles contacting and separating from the
protons. The atom having an equal number of
electrons and protons balances out having no floor
charge.
The amount of static electricity generated varies,
ElectroStatic charges are most commonly and is affected by materials, friction, area of
created by contact and separation: contact, and the relative humidity of the
environment. At lower relative humidity, charge
• When two surfaces contact then separate
generation will increase as the environment is
some atom electrons move from one surface to
drier. Common plastics generally create the
the other, causing imbalance greatest static charges.

“For most people, static electricity is represented by the noise or crackle heard on a radio that interferes with good reception or the
shock experienced when touching a metal object after walking across a carpeted room or sliding across a car seat. Static electricity
is also observed as static cling when clothes are stuck together after coming out of a clothes dryer. Most of the time, people observe
static electricity when the weather is cold and dry.” “While many people tend to think of static electricity as being at rest or not moving,
static electricity causes the most concern when it ceases to be stationary.” [ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20 section 2.1 Basics of Static
Electricity, Introduction]

“Electrostatic charge is most commonly formed by the contact and separation of two materials. The materials may be similar or
dissimilar although dissimilar materials tend to liberate higher levels of static charge. An example is a person walking across the floor.
Static electricity is produced when the person’s shoe soles make contact, then separate from the floor surface. Another example is an
electronic device sliding into or out of a bag, magazine or tube.” [ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20 section 2.3 Nature of Static Electricity]

2
Typical Electrostatic Voltages Examples in daily life:
Many common activities may generate charges • Lightning, creating lots of heat and light
on a person’s body that are potentially harmful
to electronic components. (A higher charge is
generated at low humidity, in a dry environment)

• Walking across carpet, 1,500 to 35,000 volts

• The occasional zap felt when reaching for a

• Walking over untreated vinyl floor, 250 to
door knob
12,500 volts
• Vinyl envelope used for work instructions,
600 to 7,000 volts
• Worker at bench, 700 to 6,000 volts
• Picking up a common plastic bag from a
bench, 1,200 to 20,000 volts

ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE (ESD)

If two items are at the same electrostatic • The occasional zap felt when sliding out of
charge or equipotential, no discharge will occur. an automobile and touching the door handle
However if two items are at different levels of In a normal environment like your home,
ElectroStatic charge, they will want to come into there are innumerable ESD events occurring,
balance. If they are in close enough proximity, most of which you do not see or feel. It
there can be a rapid, spontaneous transfer of typically takes a discharge greater than 2,000
electrostatic charge. This is called discharge or or 3,000 volts for a person to feel the “zap.” It
ElectroStatic Discharge (ESD). requires a much larger ESD event to arc and

“The phenomenon of forming an electrostatic charge by contact and separation of materials is known as “triboelectric charging”, from
the Greek “tribos” meaning “to rub”, and “elektros” meaning “amber”. It involves the transfer of electrons between materials. The atoms
of a material with no static charge will have an equal number of positive (+) protons in their nucleus and negative (-) electrons orbiting
the nucleus… and is electrically neutral.…
When the two materials are placed in contact, negatively charged electrons will transfer from the surface of one material to the other
material. Electrons are carried off upon separation of the two materials. The material that loses electrons becomes positively charged,
while the material that gains electrons is negatively charged.
The amount of charge created by triboelectric charging is affected by the area of contact, the speed of separation, relative humidity,
material work function, surface energy and other factors. Once the charge is formed on a material, it becomes an “electrostatic” charge
(if it remains on the material). This charge may be transferred from the material, creating an ESD event.”
[ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20 section 2.3 Nature of Static Electricity]
3
 be seen. While a discharge may be a nuisance
in the home, ESD is the hidden enemy in a
high-tech manufacturing environment. Modern
electronic circuitry can be literally burned or
melted from these miniature lightning bolts.
ESD control is necessary to reduce and limit
these ESD events.

TYPES OF ESD DEVICE DAMAGE Direct catastrophic failures, meaning

completely failed or dead components.
ESD damage to electronic components can be: failure. A latent defect can occur when an ESD 
sensitive item is exposed to an ESD event and
• Catastrophic Failures
is partially degraded. It may continue to perform
• Latent Defects
its intended function, so may not be detected by
EVEN LESS normal inspection. However, intermittent or
THAN 100
VOLTS MIGHT permanent failures may occur at a later time.
DAMAGE A
COMPONENT

Latent defects,
meaning
degraded or
wounded
components.
Catastrophic failure causes a failure in an
COSTLY
ESD sensitive item that is permanent. The
EFFECTS OF ESD
ESD event may have caused a metal melt,
junction breakdown or oxide failure. Normal
A catastrophic failure of an electronic
inspection is able to detect a catastrophic
component can be the least costly type of ESD
damage as it may be detected and repaired at
an early manufacturing stage.

Per ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20 section 2.7 Device Damage - Types and Causes “Electrostatic damage to electronic devices can
occur at any point, from the manufacture of the device to field service of systems. Damage results from handling the devices in
uncontrolled surroundings or when poor ESD control practices are used. Generally damage can manifest itself as a catastrophic
failure, parametric change or undetected parametric change (latent defect).”
2.7.1 Catastrophic Failures “When an electronic device is exposed to an ESD event it may no longer function. The ESD event may
have caused a metal melt, junction breakdown, or oxide failure. The device’s circuitry is permanently damaged, resulting in a
catastrophic failure.”
2.7.2 Latent Defects “A device that is exposed to an ESD event may be partially degraded, yet continue to perform its intended
function. However, the operating life of the device may be reduced dramatically. A product or system incorporating devices with latent
defects may experience a premature failure after the user places them in service. Such failures are usually costly to repair and in
some applications may create personnel hazards. It is easy with the proper equipment to confirm that a device has experienced
catastrophic failure or that a part is degraded or fails test parameters. Basic performance tests will substantiate device damage.
However, latent defects are virtually impossible to prove or detect using current technology, especially after the device is assembled
into a finished product. Some studies claim that the number of devices shipped to users with latent defects exceeds the number that
fail catastrophically due to ESD in manufacturing.”

4
Latent damage caused by ESD is potentially Industry experts have estimated average
more costly since damage occurs that cannot be electronics product losses due to static
felt, seen, or detected through normal inspection discharge to range from 8 to 33%. Others
procedures. Latent defects can be very estimate the actual cost of ESD damage to the
expensive as the product passes all electronics industry as running into the billions of
inspection steps, and the product is completed dollars annually.
and shipped. Latent defects can severely
impact the reputation of a company’s product. ESD CONTROL
Intermittent failures after shipping a product can
be frustrating, particularly when the customer Many firms consider all electronic components
returns a product, reporting a problem which ESD sensitive. It is critical to document the most
the factory again fails to detect. It consequently sensitive item being handled in your factory.
passes inspection and the product is returned to As electronic technology advances, electronic
the customer with the problem unresolved. circuitry gets progressively smaller. As the size
of components is reduced, so is the microscopic
The worst event is when the product is installed spacing of insulators and circuits within them,
in a customer’s system, and performs for a while increasing their sensitivity to ESD. As you can
and then performs erratically. It can be very predict, the need for proper ESD protection
expensive to troubleshoot and provide repairs in increases every day.
this situation.
Any ESD sensitive item should be identified with
the ESD susceptibility symbol, either on itself or
Catastrophic
failures are its container.
detected during
inspection but
components with
latent defects pass
as good.

One study indicated

the cost to be:
• $10 Device The ESD Susceptibility Symbol (also called
Sensitivity or Warning Symbol) identifies items
• $10 Device in board - $100
that can be damaged by ESD and should be
• $10 Device in board and in system - $1,000
unpackaged and handled while grounded at an
• $10 Device and system fails - $10,000 ESD protected workstation.

Per ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20 section 2.2 “Electronic items continued to become smaller, faster and their susceptibility to static
damage increased...all electronic devices required some form of electrostatic control to assure continued operation and product
reliability.”
Per ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20 section 5.3.2.1 “Static electricity is a natural phenomenon that occurs in all climates and at all levels
of relative humidity year round. Most people cannot feel an electrostatic discharge unless the static voltage is greater than 2,000 volts.
However, some electronic circuitry can be damaged by ESD that is less than 2,000 volts. The damage can be done without
people having any sensation of the ESD event. When a wrist strap is worn properly and connected to ground, the person wearing it
will stay near ground potential.”
Per ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20 section 5.3.6.5.3.3 “Most personnel will not notice static discharges from the human body until they
exceed 3,000 volts. Per ANSI/ESD S20.20 section 6.1 “The program shall the lowest level(s) of device ESD sensitivity that can be
handled
5
Most firms use the ANSI/ESD S20.20 A very low resistance allows a large amount of
document to construct their ESD control plan current to flow. Resistance is
which is based on handling ESD sensitive items measured in ohms.
having a Human Body Model withstand voltage
of 100 volts or greater 200 volts charged Device Resistance to ground (Rtg) is a measurement
Model, and 35 volts on isolated conductors. that indicates the capability of an item to
conduct an electrical charge (current flow)
The Human Body Model simulates discharges to an attached ground connection.
from a person and increasingly tests an
electronic device at higher and higher The measurement may be shown in various
discharges until it fails, thus establishing the ways. Most commonly:
device’s withstand voltage. Change Device • 1 kilohm
Model (CDM) simulates when a device isolated
• 1 kW
from ground is first charged and then
• 1.0 x 103 ohm
subsequently grounded.
• 1.0 x 103 ohm
OHM’S LAW • 103 ohm
Prefix Symbol Scientific Common Usage
Notation
At this point we should consider some basic
kilo- K 1.0 x 103 1,000 or one thousand
physics: mega- M 1.0 x 106 1,000,000 or one million
giga- G 1.0 x 109 1,000,000,000 or one billion
Ohm’s law is an extremely useful equation in the
field of electrical/electronic engineering because TYPES OF MATERIALS
it describes how voltage, current and resistance
are interrelated. Conductors
• Electrical current flows easily
Ohm’s law states that, in an electrical circuit, the
• Can be grounded
current passing through a conductor between
two points is directly proportional to the potential
Materials that easily transfer electrons
difference (i.e. voltage drop or voltage) across
(or charge) are called conductors and are said
the two points, and inversely proportional to the
to have “free” electrons. Some examples of
resistance between them.
conductors are metals, carbon, and the human
body’s perspiration layer.
Resistance determines how much current will
flow through a component. A very high
Grounding works effectively to remove
resistance allows a small amount of current to
ElectroStatic charges from conductors to
flow.
ground. However, the item grounded must be
Per ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20 section 5.3.6.1.2 ESD Effects “In the electronics industry, smaller device geometries have resulted
in higher density devices. ESD events can cause device damage such as metal vaporization, punch-through of thin oxide
layers, or other failure modes. As mentioned earlier ESD events may or may not weaken devices so that they still pass production
testing, but fail when installed in a customer’s equipment.”

Per ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20 section 4.1.1 Determining Part ESD Sensitivity “The first step in developing an ESD Control
Program plan is to determine the part, assembly or equipment sensitivity level under which the plan is to be developed. The
organization can use one of several methods to determine the ESD sensitivity of the products that are to be handled. Some of the
various methods are: 1) Assumption that all ESD products have a HBM sensitivtiy of 100 volts; 2) Actual testing of products using
accepted test methods.”

6
conductive. The other term often used in ESD
control is dissipative which is 1.0 x 104 to less
than 1.0 x 1011 ohms and is sufficiently
conductive to remove ElectroStatic charges
when grounded.

Insulators like this plastic cup will hold the

charge and cannot be grounded and
“conduct” the charge away.

THINK OF STATIC ELECTRICITY AS
When a conductor is charged, the ability to
transfer electrons gives it the ability to be GERMS AND CONTAMINATION!
grounded.
Daily life has other examples of hidden
enemies where careful procedures must be
followed to regularly obtain positive results. One
Insulators
example is sterilization, which combats germs
• Electrical current does not flow easily and contamination in hospitals.
• Cannot be grounded
Damage caused by invisible and undetectable
Materials that do not easily transfer electrons events can be understood by comparing ESD
are called insulators and are, by definition, damage to medical contamination of the human
non-conductors. Some well known insulators body by viruses or bacteria. Although invisible,
are common plastics and glass. An insulator will they can cause severe damage. In hospitals, the
hold the charge and cannot be grounded and defense against this invisible threat is extensive
“conduct” the charge away. contamination control procedures including
sterilization.
Both conductors and insulators may become
charged with static electricity and discharge.
Grounding is a very effective ESD control tool.
However, only conductors (conductive or
dissipative) can be grounded.
Per ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20 section 2.5 Material Electrical Characteristics - Insulative, Conductive and Static Dissipative
“Virtually all materials, including water and dirt particles in the air, can be triboelectrically charged. An insulator is a material that
prevents or limits the flow of electrons across or through its volume is called an insulator. A considerable amount of charge can be
formed on the surface of an insulator.
A conductive material allows electrons to flow easily across its surface. Conductive materials have low electrical resistance. If the
charged conductive material makes contact with another conductive material, the electrons will transfer between the materials quite
easily. If the second conductor is a wire lead to an earth grounding point, the electrons will flow to or from ground and the excess
charge on the conductor will be “neutralized”.
Static dissipative material will allow the transfer of charge to ground or to other conductive objects. The transfer of charge from a
static dissipative material will generally take longer than from a conductive material of equivalent size.”

There is no correlation between resistance measurements and the ability of a material to be low charging. Static dissipative material
shall have a surface resistance of greater than or equal to 1.0 x 104 ohms but less than 1.0 x 1011 ohms. Conductor less
than 1.0 x 104, and non-Conductor or Insulator 1.0 x 1011 ohms or higher. (Reference ANSI/ESD S541 section 7.2)
7
 OPERATOR’S PART IN ESD CONTROL

As an employee, the invisible threat of ESD

should be of great concern to you. ESD 
damage can significantly reduce your
company’s profitability. This may affect your
company’s ability to compete in the
marketplace, your profit sharing, and even your
Just as you would never consider employment. Everyone likes to take pride in
having surgery in a contaminated their work, but without proper ESD controls, your
operating room, you should never handle, best efforts may be destroyed by ElectroStatic
assemble, or repair electronic assemblies
without taking adequate protective discharges that you can neither feel nor see.
measures against ESD.
People in the high-tech manufacturing
environment are still a major source of
ElectroStatic charges and discharges. Operators
need training and to be vigilant that ESD control
procedures are followed. In order for the ESD
control program to be effective, operators must
be aware of the threat of ESD, and understand
and adhere to the rules of controlling static
electricity, and how to properly use ESD
Protected Area ESD control items.

ESD Protected Area ESD control items are ESD

protective products that have been specially for-
We are aware of the benefits of sterilization in
mulated to possess at least one of the ESD 
medicine. We must develop the same attitude
control properties:
towards ESD control and “sterilize” against its
1) low charging (antistatic)
contamination. Just as you would never
consider having surgery in a contaminated 2) resistance (conductive or dissipative, able to
operating room, you should never handle, be grounded)
assemble, or repair electronic assemblies 3) shielding.
without taking adequate measures against ESD.
For the hospital to sterilize most of the These products should be identified by the
instruments is not acceptable. Each and every ESD Protective Symbol. Note: the ESD
instrument needs to be sterilized. Likewise, it is Protective Symbol has an arc which the
not acceptable to protect the ESD Susceptible ESD Susceptibility Symbol does not.
items most of the time. Effective ESD con-
trol must occur at each and every step where
ESD Susceptible items are manufactured,
processed, assembled, installed, packaged,
labeled,serviced, tested, inspected, transported,
or otherwise handled.

8
The ESD Protective Symbol identifies products
designed to provide ESD control protection.

FUNDAMENTAL ESD CONTROL
PRINCIPLES
• Ground all conductors including people
• Use a grounded dissipative worksurface
• Remove insulators, substitute with ESD
protective versions, or neutralize with
ionizers
• Use shielding when moving ESD
If you are not using a continuous or a constant
Susceptible device outside of the ESD monitor, a wrist strap should be tested while
Protected Area (EPA). being worn at least daily. This quick check can
• Verify that the ESD control measures determine that no break in the path-to-ground
implemented are functional and effective. has occurred. Part of the path-to-groud is the
perspiration layer on the person; an operator
PERSONNEL GROUNDING with dry skin may inhibit the removal of static
charges and may cause a test failure.
A fundamental principle of ESD control is to
ground conductors including people at ESD Specially formulated ESD lotion can solve this
protected workstations. Wrist straps are the problem. Failures may also be caused by dirty
first line of defense against ESD, the most or loose wristbands which should be cleaned
common personnel grounding device used, and or tightened. When a wrist strap fails a test, the
are required to be used if the operator is sitting. supervisor should be contacted, and the failure
The wristband should be worn snug to the skin effectively addressed or the wrist strap replaced.
with its coil cord connected to a common point
ground which is connected to ground, preferably A Footwear / Flooring system is an alternative
equipment ground. for personnel grounding for standing or mobile
workers. Foot grounders or other types of ESD
footwear are worn while standing or walking on
an ESD floor. ESD footwear is to be worn on
both feet and should be tested independently at
least daily while being worn. Unless the tester
has a split footplate, each foot should be tested
independently, typically with the other foot raised
in the air.

Per ANSI/ESD S20.20 Foreword “The fundamental ESD control principles are:

• All conductors in the environment, including personnel, must be attached to a known ground
• Necessary non-conductors in the environment cannot lose their electrostatic charge by attachment to ground. Ionization systems
provide neutralization of charges on these necessary non-conductive items (circuit board materials and some device packages are
examples of necessary non-conductors).
• Transportation of ESD Susceptible items outside of an ESD Protected Area requires enclosure in static protective materials...
Outside an ESD Protected Area, low charging and static discharge shielding materials are recommended.”
9
Both ESD footwear and ESD flooring are
required. Wearing ESD footwear on a regular, WORKSTATION GROUNDING DEVICES
insulative floor is a waste of time and money.
ESD worksurfaces, such as mats, are typically
an integral part of the ESD workstation,
Part of the path-to-ground is the perspiration in
particularly in areas where hand assembly
the person’s shoes. Foot grounder
occurs. The purpose of the ESD worksurface is
conductive tabs or ribbons should be placed
two-fold: (1) To provide a surface with little to no
inside the shoe under the foot with the excess
charge on it. (2) To provide a surface that will
length tucked into the shoe. Thanks to the
remove ElectroStatic charges from conductors
perspiration in the shoe, direct contact with the
(including ESD Susceptible devices and assem-
skin is normally not necessary.
blies) that are placed on the surface.
If an operator leaves the ESD Protected Area
ESD mats need to be grounded. A ground wire
and walks outside wearing ESD footwear, care
from the mat should connect to the common
should be taken not to get the ESD footwear
point ground which is connected to ground,
soiled. Dirt is typically insulative, and the best
preferably equipment ground. For
practice is to
electronics manufacturing a worksurface
re-test the ESD footwear while being worn each
resistance to ground (Rtg) of 1.0 x 106 to less
time when re-entering the ESD Protected Area.
than 1.0 x 109 ohms is recommended.
“The wrist strap system should be tested daily to ensure proper electrical value. Nominally, the upper resistance reading should be
< 35 megohms or a user defined value. Daily test records can provide evidence of conformity. Daily testing may be omitted if constant
monitoring is used. [ANSI/ESD S1.1 Annex A, 3 Frequency of Functional Testing]

“Compliance verification should be performed prior to each use (daily, shift change, etc.). The accumulation of insulative materials
may increase the foot grounder system resistance. If foot grounders are worn outside the ESD protected area testing for functionality
before reentry to the ESD protected area should be considered.” [ESD SP9.2 APPENDIX B - Foot Grounder Usage Guidance]

10
The best practice for grounding is that ground time. Removing all non-essential insulators from
connections use firm fitting connecting devices the ESD protective workstation is an important
such as metallic crimps, snaps and banana rule. If not, the company’s investment in the
plugs to connect to designated ground points. grounded ESD worksurface may be wasted.
Use of alligator clips is not recommended. 
The biggest threat is Field Induced Discharges,
Operators should ensure that the worksurface is which can occur even at a properly grounded
organized to perform work, and that all ESD worksurface. If an ESD Susceptible item
unnecessary insulators and personal items are is grounded in the presence of an ElectroStatic
removed. Regular plastics, polystyrene foam charge, instead of the ESD Susceptible item
drink cups and packaging materials, etc. are having charges removed from it, the ESD
typically high charging and have no place at an Susceptible item may become charged with a
ESD protective workstation. voltage induced on it. Then, when placed on the
grounded ESD worksurface, a discharge occurs.
Insulators can be a considerable threat to your If the ESD Susceptible item is removed from
products. Remember that an insulator cannot be the presence of the ElectroStatic charge and
grounded, so it will retain its charge for a long

WRIST STRAP
GROUND

RING “GREEN WIRE”

TERMINAL EQUIPMENT
CAN BE GROUND
ATTACHED POINTS COMMON
HERE POINT
GROUND
MAT GROUNDING
POINT

“The single most important concept in the field of static control is grounding. Attaching all electrically conductive and dissipative items
in the workplace to ground allows built-up electrostatic charges to equalize with ground potential. A grounded conductor cannot hold a
static charge.” [Grounding ANSI/ESD S6.1Foreword]

Per ANSI/ESD S20.20 section 6.2.1.2 Grounding / Bonding Systems Guidance, “In most cases, the third wire (green) AC equipment
ground is the preferred choice for ground.”

Per ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20 section 5.3.1.7 Electrical Considerations “[Rtg is] The most important functional consideration for
worksurfaces. This establishes the resistance of the primary path to ground for items, placed on the surface. When worksurface
materials are being selected, consideration should be given to possible Charged Device Model (CDM) damage to ESD sensitive
products. If CDM damage is a concern then setting a lower resistance limit for the worksurface should be considered. Typically, the
lower limit for these types of worksurfaces is 1.0 x 106 ohms.”

ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20 section 5.3.1.14 Maintenance “Periodic cleaning, following the manufacturer’s recommendations, is
required to maintain proper electrical function of all worksurfaces. Ensure that cleaners that are used do not leave an electrically
insulative residue common with some household cleaners that contain silicone.”

11
grounded again, a second discharge may occur. Insulators, by definition, are non-conductors and
(Ref. ESD Handbook, ESD TR20.20, section therefore cannot be grounded. Besides
2.7.5). neutralization using ionizers, insulators can be
controlled by doing the following:
The worksurface must be maintained and should • Keep insulators a minimum of 12” from
be cleaned with an ESD cleaner. Regular ESD Susceptible items at all times, or
cleaners typically contain silicone. They should • Replace regular insulative items with an ESD
never be used on an ESD worksurface because
protective product version, or
the silicone will add an insulating layer. The
• Periodically apply a coat of topical antistat
ESD control plan should require testing the
resistance to ground periodically. However, the
operator should be on guard every day and When none of the above is possible, the
check visually that the ground wire is attached. insulator is termed “process essential” and
therefore neutralization using an ionizer should
IONIZERS AND NEUTRALIZATION become a necessary part of the ESD control
program.
An ionizer creates great numbers of positively
and negatively charged ions. Fans help the ions Examples of some common process essential
flow over the work area. Ionization can neutralize insulators are a PC board substrate, insulative
static charges on an insulator in a matter of test fixtures, and product plastic housings. An
seconds, thereby reducing their potential to example of isolated conductors can be
cause ESD damage. conductive traces or components loaded on
a PC board that is not in contact with the
ESD worksurface.

Reduction of charges on insulators does occur

naturally by a process called neutralization. Ions
are charged particles that are normally
present in the air, and as opposite charges
attract, charges will be neutralized over time
A fundamental principle of ESD control is to
neutralize process essential insulators with A common example is a balloon rubbed against
ionizers. In addition, if a conductor is not clothing and “stuck” on a wall by static charge.
grounded, it is an isolated conductor, and an The balloon will eventually drop. After a day or
ionizer is the only means to neutralize so natural ions of the opposite charge that are in
ElectroStatic charges on it.

“All nonessential insulators such as coffee cups, food wrappers and personal items shall be removed from the ESD Protected Area.
[ANSI/ESD S20.20 section 8.3.1]

Per ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20 Ionization, section 5.3.6.1 Introduction and Purpose / General Information “The primary method of
static charge control is direct connection to ground for conductors, static dissipative materials, and personnel. A complete static control
program must also deal with isolated conductors that cannot be grounded, insulating materials (e.g. most common plastics), and
moving personnel who cannot use wrist or heel straps or ESD control flooring or footwear.
Air ionization is not a replacement for grounding methods. It is one component of a complete static control program. Ionizers are used
when it is not possible to properly ground everything and as backup to other static control methods.”

12
the air will be attracted to the balloon and will A Faraday Cage effect can protect ESD
eventually neutralize the charge. An ionizer Susceptible contents in a shielding bag, or other
greatly speeds up this process. container with a shielding layer. This Faraday
Cage effect protects people in real life when a
lightning bolt strikes an airplane or automobile
with the charge residing on the outer metal fuse-
lage or car body.

The Faraday cage effect

causes electrical current
to be conducted around
the outside the surface
of the conduc­tor. Since
like charges repel,
charges will rest on the
Note: Ionizers require periodic cleaning of exterior.
emitter pins and the offset voltage must be kept
in balance. Otherwise, instead of neutralizing To complete the enclosure, make sure to place
charges, if it is producing primarily positive or lids on boxes or containers, and close
negative ions, the ionizer will place an shielding bags. Packaging with holes, tears, or
electrostatic charge on items that are not gaps should not be used as the contents may
grounded. be able to extend outside the enclosure and lose

SHIELDING

The third fundamental principle of the ESD

control system is to package ESD sensitive
components and assemblies during storage
or transportation outside the ESD Protected
Area enclosed in packaging that possesses the
ESD control property of shielding. In shielding,
we utilize the fact that electrostatic charges and
discharges take the path of least resistance. The
charge will be either positive or negative; other-
wise the charge would balance out and be no
Cover must be in place to create Faraday
charge. Like charges repel and so the Cage and shield contents.
electrostatic charge will reside on the outer
surface.

“The normal stable structure of the atom shows that unlike charges attract and like charges repel. Therefore, a separated charge will
be self-repellent and will reside only on the surface of a charged item. If the item were a perfect insulator or perfectly insulated, a
separated charge would remain indefinitely. Since there are no perfect insulators and it is impossible to have perfect isolation, charges
tend to leak away to join opposite charges in the immediate environment thus returning the item to an electrically balanced state.
Taking all of the above into account, static electricity is the set phenomena associated with electrical charges on the surface of an
insulator or insulated conductive body.” [ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20 section 2.3 Nature of Static Electricity]

Per ADV1.0 Glossary Electrostatic discharge shield “A barrier or enclosure that limits the passage of current and attenuates an
electromagnetic field resulting from an electrostatic discharge.”

13
their shielding as well as mechanical protection. ionizers, your company may provide a variety of
When ESD sensitive items are unpackaged additional ESD control materials. The proper use
from shielding bags or other containers, they of these materials will enhance your company’s
should be handled by a grounded operator at an ESD control program.
ESD workstation.
Regular versions of these products have been
ESD WORKSTATIONS changed to be low charging and/or groundable:

An ESD Protected Area can consist of a single • Static Control smocks and gloves
workstation entire room, building or other
• ESD packaging, bags and boxes
designated areas, it is an area that has been
• Conductive foam and shunt bars
established to effectively limit charge and
discharge. At an ESD workstation, we attempt to • Low charging or dissipative tape
limit electrostatic charges by grounding all • ESD cleaners and topical antistat
conductors (including people), removing all • Dissipative bottles and cups
insulators (or substituting with ESD protective • Dissipative binders
versions), or neutralizing process essential • Dissipative document and badge holders
insulators with an ionizer. • Dissipative floor finishes
• Conductive paint and epoxy
ADDITIONAL EPA ESD CONTROL ITEMS
• Conductive and dissipative flooring
In addition to conductive and dissipative • ESD hand lotion
worksurfaces, personnel grounding devices and

WORKSURFACE

Per ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20 section 2.4 “It should be understood that any object, item, material or person could be a source of
static electricity in the work environment. Removal of unnecessary nonconductors, replacing nonconductive materials with dissipative
or conductive materials and grounding all conductors are the principle methods of controlling static electricity in the workplace,
regardless of the activity.”

14
HANDLING CLASS 0 ESD SENSITIVE ITEMS SPECIAL
CLASS ZERO
ATTENTION
ANSI/ESD S20.20 guides a user to enact an ESD Control Program to
handle ESD sensitive items with a withstand voltage of 100 volts Human
Body Model (HBM) or greater. Per ANSI/ESDA/JEDEC JS-001-2011
Table 3 - HBM ESD Component Classification Levels has divided Class 0:
HBM CLASS 0
Classification Voltage Range (V)
Handle Only Using Class 0
0A <125 ESD Control Precautions
0B 125 to <250

To decrease the probability of ESD damage when handling Class 0 ESD Susceptible items, additional
precautions may be required, including additional and/or more stringent technical requirements for ESD
Protected Area ESD control products, increasing redundancies, and more frequent periodic verifications
or audits. Additionally, ESD control process systems should be evaluated as to their performance as a
system. You will need to understand how the technical elements in use perform relative to the sensitivity
of the devices being handled. Thus, you will want to tailor the process to handle the more sensitive parts.

For example: If the footwear/flooring personal grounding system allows a person’s body voltage to reach
say 80 volts and a 50 withstand voltage item gets introduced into the process, you will either have to
allow only handling via wrist straps or would have to find a way to modify the footwear/flooring
performance to get peak voltages below the 50 volt threshold. Class Zero Workstations may be
identified, and additional measures may include:

IONIZATION
• More stringent removal of non-essential items from the workstation
• Ionization to reduce charges on isolated conductors like devices on PCBs
• Ionization to reduce induction charging from process essential insulators
• More stringent Offset Voltage (Balance) and/or faster Discharge Times
• Use of Ionizers with feed-back mechanisms and out-of-balance alarms

GROUNDING
• Use Continuous Monitors to verify proper grounding of operator and worksurface
• Specify more stringent resistance technical requirements such as 1.0 x 106 to < 1.0 x 108 ohm
dissipative worksurface
• Require conductive ESD Floor (Per ANSI/ESD STM7.1 < 1.0 x 106 ohms)
• Require more reliable ESD footwear such as full coverage foot grounders (as opposed to heel
grounders)
• Require improved grounding (using positive mechanical attachments) of carts, shelves, and
equipment to ground
• Require dissipative material for all fixtures

SHIELDING
• Use Static Control Groundable Garment System (Smock) to shield ESD sensitive items from charges
on operator clothing
• Use ESD packaging with discharge shielding properties to store and transport ESD Susceptible both
within and outside the ESD protected area

Other steps may include minimizing electrostatic charge generation, converting production supplies to
ESD protective versions, or treating with topical antistat, requiring dissipative material, increasing
training, and frequency of periodic checks per Compliance Verification ESD TR53.

15
 Desco Industries Inc. brands include:

Desco.com StaticControl.com DescoAsia.com

DescoAsia.co.jp

MendaPump.com ProtektivePak.com DescoEMIT.com

Charleswater.co.uk Vermason.co.uk

FOR ESD CONTROL

GO TO WEBSITES TO VIEW CATALOGS
OR REQUEST A SAMPLE OR DEMO

For other important ESD information on our web sites

see Technical, Resources and ESD Information tabs
“Process monitoring (measurements) shall be conducted in accordance with a Compliance Verification Plan that
identifies the technical requirements to be verified, the measurement limits and the frequency at which those
verifications shall occur. The Compliance Verification Plan shall document the test methods and equipment used for
process monitoring and measurements. Compliance verification records shall be established and maintained to
provide evidence of conformity to the technical requirements. The test equipment selected shall be capable of
making the measurements defined in the Compliance Verification Plan.” [ANSI/ESD S20.20 section 7.4]

DESCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
DescoIndustries.com
3651 WALNUT AVENUE, CHINO, CA 91710 • (909) 627-8178
E-MAIL: Service@DescoIndustries.com
© 2017 DESCO INDUSTRIES INC.
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