EUROPE

ESD AWARENESS
BOOKLET

PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY

BEFORE WORKING ON
OR HANDLING
ESD SUSCEPTIBLE
COMPONENTS OR ASSEMBLIES
Use as part of Training Plan required by EN 61340-5-1

© 2017 DESCO EUROPE

ESD CONTROL PROGRAMME PLAN PER EN 61340-5-1
“The organization shall prepare an ESD control program plan that addresses each of the
requirements of the program. Those requirements are:
• training,
• product qualification,
• compliance verification,
• grounding/bonding systems,
• personnel grounding,
• EPA requirements,
• packaging systems,
• marking.
[EN 61340-5-1 Edition 2.0 – 2016-05 ESD control program plan clause 5.2.1]

“Each company has different processes, and so will require a different blend of ESD prevention
measures for an optimum ESD control program. It is vital that these measures are selected,
based on technical necessity and carefully documented in an ESD control program plan, so that
all concerned can be sure of the program requirements.” [EN 61340-5-1 Edition 2.0 – 2016-05
Introduction]

TRAINING PLAN
“The training plan shall define all personnel that are required to have ESD awareness and
prevention training. At a minimum, initial and recurrent ESD awareness and prevention training
shall be provided to all personnel who handle or otherwise come into contact with any ESDS.
Initial training shall be provided before personnel handle ESD sensitive devices. 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 methods used by the organization to
ensure trainee comprehension and training adequacy.” [EN 61340-5-1 Edition 2.0 – 2016-05
Training plan clause 5.2.2]

Desco Europe 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 Europe 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 “method used by the organiation to ensure trainee comprehension and training
adequacy.” The written ESD Control Plan should be in accordance with EN 61340-5-1. This
standard and the User guide TR 61340-5-2 can be purchased from British Standards at
www.bsi-global.com.

“This part of IEC 61340 applies to activities that: manufacture, process, assemble, install, package, label, service, test, inspect,
transport or otherwise handle electrical or electronic parts, assemblies and equipment with withstand voltages greater than or
equal to 100 V HBM (Human Body Model), 200 V CDM (Charged Device Model) and 35 V for isolated conductors. ESDS (ESD
Sensitive items) with lower withstand voltages may require additional control elements or adjusted limits.” [EN 61340-5-1 Edition
2.0 – 2016-05 Scope clause 1]

© 2017 DESCO EUROPE

 ESD BASICS FOR ESD PROGRAMME PER EN61340-5-1

Electrostatic Discharge [ESD] can damage • If ESD footwear is used, test at least daily
components and products containing • Visually check that grounding cords are
electronics. It is the hidden enemy in many connected
high-tech factories. Often this damage cannot
• Keep wristband snug, foot grounder
be detected by quality control inspections, and
grounding tab in shoe, and ESD smocks
can be very frustrating; adversely impacting
productivity, quality, product reliability and thus covering all clothing on torso
a company’s reputation and profitability. • Keep work area clean and clear of all non
essential insulators, or neutralise essential
The prerequisites of ESD control are: insulators with ionisers with the airflow
• Identify ESD Protected Area [EPA] directed towards the work area
• Identify ESD sensitive items [ESDS] • Use packaging with shielding properties to
• Provide ESD control training store or transport ESDS outside the EPA

The ESD protected area should have signage, GROUNDING AND PERSONNEL SAFETY
often including aisle tape, to clearly identify
where it is. You need to understand and This booklet will deal with ESD basics.
follow the basics of ESD control to limit the ElectroStatic charges or static electricity can
generation of ElectroStatic charges, limit and be everywhere, however conductors can be
slow discharges in the EPA. effectively grounded and charges removed to
ground. A fundamental rule in ESD control is
ESD BASICS to ground all conductors, including people.

Protect your work following these guidelines: However, while ESD control is important, it is
• Only handle unpackaged ESD sensitive of secondary importance to employee safety.
Personnel should not be grounded in
items [ESDS] in the ESD protected area
situations where they could come into contact
[EPA] when grounded
with voltage over 250 volts AC.
• Only allow trained or escorted people in the
EPA
• Ground all conductors including people in
the EPA
• Use continuous monitors or test wrist straps
at least daily

“The procedures and equipment described in this standard may expose personnel to hazardous electrical conditions. Users of
this standard are responsible for selecting equipment that complies with applicable laws, regulatory codes and both external and
internal policy. Users are cautioned that this standard cannot replace or supersede any requirements for personnel safety.
Electrical hazard reduction practices shall be exercised and proper grounding instructions for equipment shall be followed.” [EN
61340-5-1 Edition 2.0 – 2016-05 Personnel safety clause 4]

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STATIC ELECTRICITY, • When two surfaces contact then separate
ELECTROSTATIC CHARGE • Some atom electrons move from one surface
to the other, causing imbalance
All materials can tribocharge or generate
ElectroStatic charges. This is static electricity One surface has a positive charge and one
which is an electrical charge at rest. When an surface has a negative charge.
electrical charge is not at rest, but discharges,
problems can occur and we will discuss ESD
[ElectroStatic Discharge] in some detail later. CHARGE GENERATION OR
TRIBOCHARGING EXAMPLES

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.

• Unwinding a roll of tape

Static electricity can be a very

hair-raising event.

Remember that ElectroStatic charges and

ElectroStatic discharges are different.

All matter is constructed from atoms which

have negatively charged electrons circling
the atom’s nucleus which includes positively
• Gas or liquid moving through a hose or pipe
charged protons. The atom having an equal
number of electrons and protons balances out • A person walking across a floor with heels
having no charge. and soles contacting and separating from the
floor
ElectroStatic charges are most commonly
created by contact and separation: The amount of static electricity generated
varies, and is affected by materials, friction,
area of contact, and the relative humidity of the

“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]

“Any contact and physical separation of materials or flow of solids, liquids, or particle-laden gases can generate electrostatic
charges. Common sources of ESD include charged: personnel, conductors, common polymeric materials, and processing
equipment.” [EN 61340-5-1 Edition 2.0 – 2016-05 Introduction]

2 © 2017 DESCO EUROPE

environment. At lower relative humidity, charge However if two items are at different
generation will increase as the environment is levels of ElectroStatic charge, they will want to
drier. Common plastics generally create the come into balance. If they are in close enough
greatest static charges. proximity, there can be a rapid, spontaneous
transfer of electrostatic charge. This is called
Typical Electrostatic Voltages discharge or ElectroStatic Discharge (ESD).
Many common activities may generate
charges on a person’s body that are potentially Examples in daily life:
harmful to electronics components. (A higher • Lightning, creating lots of heat and light
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

door knob
• Walking over untreated vinyl floor, 250 to
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)

• The occasional zap felt when sliding out of
If two items are at the same electrostatic an automobile and touching the door handle
charge or equipotential, no discharge will
occur.
“ESD or electrostatic discharge, rapid transfer of charge between bodies that are at different electrostatic potentials.” [EN 61340-5-
1 Edition 2.0 – 2016-05 Terms and definitions clause 3.5]

© 2017 DESCO EUROPE 3

In a normal environment like your home, there
are innumerable ESD events occurring, most
of which you do not see or feel. It takes a
discharge of about 2,000 volts for a person
to feel the “zap”. It requires a much larger
ESD event to arc and 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 Direct catastrophic failures, meaning
circuitry can be literally burned or melted from completely failed or dead components.
these miniature lightning bolts. ESD control is
necessary to reduce and limit these A latent defect can occur when an ESD
ESD events. sensitive item is exposed to an ESD event and
is partially degraded. It may continue to
TYPES OF ESD DEVICE DAMAGE perform its intended function, so may not be
detected by normal inspection. However,
ESD damage to electronic components can intermittent or permanent failures may occur at
be: a later time.
• Catastrophic Failures
• Latent Defects
Latent defects,
EVEN LESS meaning
THAN 100 degraded or
VOLTS wounded
MIGHT components.
DAMAGE A
COMPONENT

COSTLY EFFECTS OF ESD

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

“Failure mechanisms can include the following. Dielectric breakdown is a predominant failure mechanism on MOS devices when
the voltage across the oxide excedes the dielectric breakdown strength. This failure mechanism is basically voltage dependent.
The thinner the oxide, the higher the susceptibility to ESD. This failure mechanism can occur on MOS or bipolar devices, ... With
bipolar devices, resistive leakage paths may occur where metallization runs over insulation which is above active semiconductor
regions. Thermal breakdown occurs when the bonding materials melt, particularly in the case of eutectic alloy of silicon contact
material, or of silicon. This is mainly an energy-dependent failure mechanism, namely the ESD pulse shape, duration and energy
can produce power levels resulting in localised heating and eventually junction or lead melting, even though the voltage level is
below that required to cause device degradation as well as functional failures. This can effect both performance and reliability.
When this has taken place, then the “walking wounded” devicemay be more susceptible to both further ESD damage and also
to damage by voltage surges and thermal degradation.” [IEC 61340-5-2 User guide Annex DD clauses DD.2.2.1, DD.2.2.2 and
DD.2.3]

4 © 2017 DESCO EUROPE

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

The ESD Sensitivity Symbol (also called

One study indicated the cost to be: Susceptibility or Warning Symbol) identifies
• £7 Device items that can be damaged by ESD and
• £7 Device in board - £700 should be unpackaged and handled while
grounded at an ESD protected workstation.
• £7 Device in board and in system - £7,000
• £7 Device and system fails - £70,000

“IEC 61340-5-1 requires that the Organization mark ESDS assemblies and equipment in accordance with customer requirements.
When marking is not specifically required the Organization shall determine whether a marking strategy is required.
Markings on ESDS and ESD packaging materials exist to inform users that the devices or the devices within packages are
susceptible to ESD.

Marking of hardware items (assemblies and equipment) can be accomplished by using the [ESD sensitivity] symbol. Marking
of hardware is dependent on space available on the item itself as well as the environment the item will operate in and whether
marking will hinder the operation of the item. Some hardware labels might contain nomenclature along with the symbol.” [CLC/TR
61340-5-2 clause 4.9 Marking and 4,9.1 Marking of assemblies and equipment]

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Most firms use the EN61340-5-1 standard Resistance to ground (Rg) is a measurement
to construct their ESD control plan which is that indicates the capability of an item to
based on handling ESD sensitive items having conduct an electrical charge (current flow) to
a Human Body Model withstand voltage of 100 an attached ground connection.
volts or greater. The Human Body Model
simulates discharges from a person and The measurement may be shown in various
increasingly tests an electronic device at ways. Most commonly:
higher and higher discharges until it fails, thus • 1 kilohm
establishing the device’s withstand voltage. • 1 kW
• 1 x 103 ohm
OHM’S LAW
• 1 x 10E3 ohm
At this point we should consider some basic • 10^3 ohm
physics:
Prefix Symbol Scientific Common Usage
Notation
Ohm’s law is an extremely useful equation in kilo- K 1 x 103 or 10E3 1,000 or one thousand
the field of electrical/electronic engineering mega- M 1 x 106 or 10E6 1,000,000 or one million
because it describes how voltage, current and giga- G 1 x 109 or 10E9 1,000,000,000 or one billion
resistance are interrelated.
TYPES OF MATERIALS
Ohm’s law states that, in an electrical circuit,
the current passing through a conductor Conductors
between two points is directly proportional to • Electrical current flows easily
the potential difference (i.e. voltage drop or • Can be grounded
voltage) across the two points, and inversely
proportional to the resistance between them. Materials that easily transfer electrons (or
charge) are called conductors and are said to
Resistance determines how much current will have “free” electrons. Some examples of
flow through a component. A very high conductors are metals, carbon, and the human
resistance allows a small amount of current body’s sweat layer.
to flow. A very low resistance allows a large
amount of current to flow. Resistance is Grounding works effectively to remove
measured in ohms. ElectroStatic charges from conductors to
ground. However, the item grounded must be
conductive.

“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.” [ESD
Handbook ESD TR20.20-2008 section 5.3.6.1.2 ESD Effects]

“The next 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 various methods to determine the ESD sensitivity of the products
that are to be handled. Some of the methods include: assumption that all ESD products have an HBM sensitivity of 100 V; actual
testing of ESD sensitive devices to establish the ESD sensitivity threshold using IEC 60749-26; referencing ESD sensitivity data in
published documents such as manufacturer’s published data sheets.” [CLC/TR 61340-5-2:2008 clause 4.1.2 Determination of part
ESD sensitivity]

6 © 2017 DESCO EUROPE

The other term often used in ESD control is
dissipative which is 1 x 104 to less than
1 x 1011 ohms 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.

When a conductor is charged, the ability

THINK OF STATIC ELECTRICITY AS
to transfer electrons gives it the ability to
be grounded. GERMS AND CONTAMINATION!

Daily life has other examples of hidden

Insulators
enemies where careful procedures must be
• Electrical current does not flow easily
followed to regularly obtain positive results.
• Cannot be grounded One example is sterilisation, which combats
germs and contamination in hospitals.
Materials that do not easily transfer electrons
are called insulators, by definition Damage caused by invisible and undetectable
non-conductors. Some well known insulators events can be understood by comparing
are common plastics, and glass. An insulator ESD damage to medical contamination of the
will hold the charge and cannot be grounded human body by viruses or bacteria. Although
and “conduct” the charge away. invisible, they can cause severe damage. In
hospitals, the defense against this invisble
Both conductors and insulators may become threat is extensive contamination control
charged with static electricity and discharge. procedures including sterilisation.

Grounding is a very effective ESD control tool,

however, only conductors (conductive or
dissipative) can be grounded.

“Dissipative materials provide charge dissipation. They also reduce areas of high charge concentration by allowing charges to
spread out over the entire surface. Dissipative materials are not necessarily low charging. Insulative materials have a very high
resistance and this limits the ability of the material to conduct current. In general, insulative materials can become highly charged
through contact and separation with other materials. The dissipation of charge from insulative materials via grounding may take a
long time (i.e. hours or weeks depending on the enviromental conditions). This makes insulative materials generally unacceptable
for use near ESD sensitive products.” [CLC/TR 61340-5-2:2008 User guide clause 4.8.2.3 and 4.8.2.5]

“Determine the type of packaging system that is best suited for the intended application. The marketplace provides numerous
options for packaging of electronic products for shipment. The initial consideration is to have low charging or static dissipative
materials in contact with ESD sensitive items.

In some situations, packaging may be designed for reuse or return to the original supplier. In this way the package may be
reused numerous times. The initial cost of these packages may be relatively expensive. However, if the appropriate collection and
recycling system is used, the container may be the least expensive choice over time. [CLC TR 61340-5-2 User guide Packaging
clauses 4.8.3.3 and 4.8.3.3.1]

© 2017 DESCO EUROPE 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
Just as you would never consider having your employment. Everyone likes to take pride
surgery in a contaminated operating in their work, but without proper ESD controls,
room, you should never handle, your best efforts may be destroyed by
assemble, or repair electronic assemblies
without taking adequate protective ElectroStatic discharges that you can neither
measures against ESD. feel nor see.

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 programme 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 EPA ESD control items.

EPA ESD control items are ESD protective

products that have been specially formulated
We are aware of the benefits of sterilisation in
to possess at least one of the ESD control
medicine. We must develop the same attitude
properties:
towards ESD control and “sterilise” against its
contamination. Just as you would never 1) low charging (antistatic)
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) electrostatic discharge shielding.
without taking adequate measures against
ESD. These products should be identified by the
ESD Protective Symbol. Note: the ESD
For the hospital to sterilise most of the Protective Symbol has an arc which the
instruments is not acceptable; actually it may ESD Susceptibility Symbol does not.
waste money. Each and every instrument
needs to be sterilised. Likewise, it is not
acceptable to protect the ESDS most of the
time. Effective ESD control must occur at each
and every step where ESDS is manufactured,
processed, assembled, installed, packaged,
labeled, serviced, tested, inspected,
transported, or otherwise handled.

8 © 2017 DESCO EUROPE

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

FUNDAMENTAL ESD CONTROL

PRINCIPLES
• Ground all conductors including people
• Remove insulators, substitute with ESD
protective versions, or neutralise with
ionisers
• ESDS outside the EPA to be in packaging
If you are not using a continuous or a constant
having ESD shielding property
monitor, a wrist strap should be tested while
being worn at least daily. This quick check can
PERSONNEL GROUNDING determine that no break in the path-to-ground
has occurred. Part of the path-to-groud is the
A fundamental principle of ESD control is to perspiration layer on the person; an operator
ground conductors including people at ESD with dry skin may inhibit the removal of static
protected workstations. Wrist straps are the charges and may cause a test failure.
first line of defense against ESD, the most
common personnel grounding device used,
Specially formulated lotion can solve this
and are required to be used if the operator is
problem. Failures may also be caused by dirty
sitting. The wristband should be worn snug to
or loose wristbands which should be cleaned
the skin with its coil cord connected to a
or tightened. When a wrist strap fails a test,
common point ground which is connected to
the supervisor should be contacted, and the
ground, preferably equipment ground.
failure effectively addressed or the wrist strap
replaced.

A Flooring / Footwear system is an alternative

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.

The fundamental ESD control principles that form the basis of IEC 61340-5-1 are:
“electrically connecting all conductors in the enviroment, including personnel, to a known ground”
“Necessary insulators in the enviroment cannot lose their electrostatic charge by attachment to ground. Ionization systems
provide neutralization of charges on these necessary insulators (circuit board materials and some device packages are examples
of necessary insulators).”

“ESD protection can be achieved by enclosing ESD sensitive products in static protective materials, ... Outside an EPA, low
charging and static discharge shielding materials are recommended.” [CLC/TR 61340-5-2:2008 User guide Introduction]

© 2017 DESCO EUROPE 9

 WORKSTATION GROUNDING DEVICES
Both ESD footwear and ESD floor are
required. Wearing ESD footwear on a regular,
ESD worksurfaces, such as mats, are typically
insulative floor is a waste of time and money.
an integral part of the ESD workstation,
particularly in areas where hand assembly
Part of the path-to-ground is the perspiration in
occurs. The purpose of the ESD worksurface
the person’s shoes. Foot grounder conductive
is two-fold. (1) To provide a surface with little
tabs or ribbons should be placed inside the
to no charge on it. (2) To provide a surface
shoe under the foot with the excess length
that will remove ElectroStatic charges from
tucked into the shoe. Thanks to the
conductors (including ESDS devices and
perspiration in the shoe, direct contact with the
assemblies) that are placed on the surface.
skin is normally not necessary.
ESD mats need to be grounded. A ground wire
If an operator leaves the EPA and walks from the mat should connect to the common
outside wearing ESD footwear, care should be point ground which is connected to ground,
taken not to get the ESD footwear soiled. Dirt preferably equipment ground. For electronics
is typically insulative, and the best practice is manufacturing a worksurface resistance
to re-test the ESD footwear while being worn to ground (Rg) of at least 1 x 104 ohms is
each time when re-entering the EPA. recommended, and less than 1 x 109 ohms is
required by EN 61340-5-1.

“Wrist straps should be tested periodically. The frequency of testing, however, is driven by the amount of usage, wear and ESD
risk exposure that can occur between tests. For, example, what is the quantity of product handled between test periods? Typical
test programs recommend that wrist straps that are used daily should be tested daily. However, if the products that are being
produced are of such value that a guarantee of a continuous, reliable ground is needed then continuous monitoring should be
considered or even required.” [CLC/TR 61340-5-2:2008 User guide Wrist Strap clause 4.7.2.4.4 Test frequency]

“ESD control footwear is designed to reduce body charge levels by supplying a conductive path from the body to the floor
material. Heel or toe grounders should be worn on both feet to ensure effective use. Care should be taken to evaluate not only the
footwear, but also the footwear/floor combination.” [CLC/TR 61340-5-2:2008 User guide Footwear clause 4.7.4.3 Proper usage]

10 © 2017 DESCO EUROPE

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

WRIST STRAP
GROUND

COMMON
RING POINT
TERMINAL GROUND
CAN BE
ATTACHED
HERE MAT GROUNDING
POINT

“The protection of ESDS is accomplished by providing a ground path to bring ESD protective materials and personnel to the same
electrical potential. All conductor and dissipative items in the environment, including personnel, shall be bonded or electrically connected
to a known ground or common connection point [EBP earth bonding point]. This connection results in sharing of charge which equalizes
the voltage across all items and personnel and eliminates the chances of an ESD event to ESD sensitive devices. Electrostatic protection
can be maintained at a potential different from a “zero” voltage ground reference as long as all items in the system are at the same
potential.” [CLC/TR 61340-5-2:2008 User guide clause 4.4.1 Grounding/bonding systems Introduction]

“The first and preferred ESD ground is protective earth if available. In this case, the ESD control elements and grounded personnel are
connected to protective earth” [EN 61340-5-1 Edition 2.0 – 2016-05 ESD control program plan clause 5.3.2 Grounding/equipotential
bonding systems]

“The most important functional consideration for work surfaces is the resistance from the top of the surface to the groundable point [Rgp].
This establishes the resistance of the primary path to ground for items placed on the surface. IEC 61340-5-1 has set a resistance to
ground range for work surfaces of less than 1.0 x 109 ohms. However, it is sometimes necessary to use work surfaces that are much
more conductive. This is allowed under IEC 61340-5-1 but the reason for using a more conductive work surface shall be documented in
the ESD control program plan.” [CLC/TR 61340-5-2:2008 User guide clause 4.7.1.2.5 Electrical considerations - Work Surfaces]

Per EN 61340-5-1 Edition 2.0 – 2016-05 “Table 3 EPA requirements the limit for Working surfaces, storage racks and trolleys is < 1 x 109
ohms Rg tested per IEC 61340-2-3” and per NOTE f “In situations where charged device model (CDM) damage is a concern a minimum
point to point resistance limit of 1 x 104 ohms is recommended.”

© 2017 DESCO EUROPE 11

If the ESDS is removed from the presence of Insulators, by definition, are non-conductors
the ElectroStatic charge and grounded again, a and therefore cannot be grounded. Besides
second discharge may occur. (Ref. ESD neutralisation using ionisers, insulators can be
Handbook, ESD TR20.20, section 2.7.5). controlled by doing the following:
• Keep insulators a minimum of 30.5 cm
The worksurface must be maintained and from ESDS items at all times, or
should be cleaned with an ESD cleaner. • Replace regular insulative items with an ESD
Regular cleaners typically contain silicone, and
protective version, or
should never be used on an ESD worksurface.
• Periodically apply a coat of topical antistat
The 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 neutralisation using an ioniser should
IONISERS AND NEUTRALISATION become a necessary part of the ESD control
programme.
An ioniser creates great numbers of positively
and negatively charged ions. Fans help the Examples of some common process essential
ions flow over the work area. Ionisation can insulators are a PC board substrate, insulative
neutralise static charges on an insulator in test fixtures, and product plastic housings. An
a matter of seconds, thereby reducing their example of isolated conductors can be
potential to 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 neutralisation.
Ions are charged particles that are normally
present in the air, and as opposite charges
A fundamental principle of ESD control is to attract, charges will be neutralised over time
neutralise process essential insulators with
ionisers. In addition, if a conductor is not A common example is a balloon rubbed
grounded, it is an isolated conductor, and an against clothing and “stuck” on a wall by static
ioniser is the only means to neutralise charge. The balloon will eventually drop. After
ElectroStatic charges on it. a day or so natural ions of the opposite charge

“Necessary insulators in the environment cannot lose their electrostatic charge by attachment to ground. Ionization systems provide
neutralization of charges on these necessary insulators (circuit board materials and some device packages are examples of necessary
insulators). The ESD hazard created by electrostatic charges on the necessary insulators in the work place is assessed to ensure that
appropriate actions are implemented, according to the risk.” [EN 61340-5-1 Edition 2.0 – 2016-05 Introduction]

“All non-essential insulators and items (plastics and paper), such as coffee cups, food wrappers and personal items shall be removed from
the workstation or any operation where unprotected ESDS are handled.

The ESD threat associated with process essential insulators or electrostatic field sources shall be evaluated to ensure that:
• the electrostatic field at the position where the ESDS are handled shall not exceed 5 000 V/m; or
• if the electrostatic potential measured at the surface of the process required insulator exceeds 2 000 V, the item shall be kept a minimum
of 30 cm from the ESDS; and
• if the electrostatic potential measured at the surface of the process required insulator exceeds 125 V, the item shall be kept a minimum
of 2,5 cm from the ESDS.

If the measured electrostatic field or surface potential exceeds the stated limits, ionization or other charge mitigating techniques shall be
used. Some of the measurements should be taken at the lowest expected relative humidity experienced by the facility.” [EN 61340-5-1
Edition 2.0 – 2016-05 Insulators clause 5.3.4.2]

12 © 2017 DESCO EUROPE

that are in the air will be attracted to the A Faraday Cage effect can protect ESDS
balloon and will eventually neutralise the contents in a shielding bag, or other container
charge. An ioniser greatly speeds up this with a shielding layer. This Faraday Cage
process. effect protects people in real life when a
lightning bolt strikes an airplane or automobile
with the charge residing on the outer metal
fuselage or car body.
The Faraday cage effect
causes charges to be
conducted around the
outside the surface of
the conduc­tor. Since
like charges repel,
charges will rest on the
exterior.
Note: Ionisers require periodic cleaning of
emitter pins and the offset voltage must be
kept in balance. Otherwise, instead of To complete the enclosure, make sure to place
neutralising charges, if it is producing primarily lids on boxes or containers, and close shielding
positive or negative ions, the ioniser will place bags. Packaging with holes, tears, or gaps
an electrostatic charge on items that are not should not be used as the contents may be
grounded. able to extend outside the enclosure and lose
their shielding as well as mechanical
SHIELDING protection.

The third fundamental principle of the ESD

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

“The normal stable structure of the atom shows that unlike charges attract and like charges repel. Therefore, a separated charge
will be self-repellant 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 TR20.20-2008 section 2.3 Nature of Static Electricity]

“Electrostatic discharge shielding barrier or enclosure that limits the passage of current and attenuates the energy resulting from
an electrostatic discharge such that the maximum energy from the 100 V human body model discharge is less than or equal to 50
nJ [nanojoules].” [EN 61340-5-1 clause 3.18.2 Definitions]

© 2017 DESCO EUROPE 13

When ESD sensitive items are unpackaged The proper use of these materials will enhance
from shielding bags or other containers, they your company’s ESD control programme.
should be handled by a grounded operator at
an ESD workstation. Regular versions of these products have been
changed to be low charging and/or groundable:
ESD WORKSTATIONS
• ESD smocks and gloves
An EPA might be one ESD workstation, an
• ESD packaging, bags and boxes
area that has been established to effectively
• Conductive foam and shunt bars
control ESD. At an ESD workstation, we
attempt to limit electrostatic charges by • Antistatic or low charging tape
grounding all conductors (including people), • ESD cleaners and topical antistat
removing all insulators (or substituting with • Dissipative bottles and cups
ESD protective versions), or neutralising • Dissipative binders
process essential insulators with an ioniser. • Dissipative document and badge holders
• Dissipative floor finishes
ADDITIONAL EPA ESD CONTROL ITEMS
• Conductive paint and epoxy
• Conductive and dissipative flooring
In addition to conductive and dissipative
worksurfaces, personnel grounding devices • ESD hand lotion
and ionisers, your company may provide a
variety of additional ESD control materials.

“An ESD protected area (EPA) is an area that is equipped with the ESD control items required to minimize the chance of
damaging ESD sensitive devices. In the broad sense, a protected area is capable of of controlling static electricity on all items that
enter that work area. Personnel and other conductive or dissipative items shall be electrically bonded together and connected to
ground (or a common connection point when a ground is not available) to equalize electrical potential among the items. The size
of an EPA can vary greatly. A protected area may be a permanent workstation within a room or an entire factory floor
encompassing thousands of workstations. A protected area may also be a portable worksurface or mat used in a field service
situation.” [CLC/TR 61340-5-2:2008 Use guide clause 4.6 Protected areas (EPA)]

14 © 2017 DESCO EUROPE

HANDLING CLASS 0 ESD SENSITIVE ITEMS SPECIAL
CLASS ZERO
ATTENTION
EN 61340-5-1 guides a user to enact an ESD Control Programme to
handle ESD sensitive items with a withstand voltage of 100 volts Human
Body Model (HBM) or greater and 200 volts Charged Device Model
(CDM) or greater. The updated standard ANSI/ESDA/JEDEC JS-001-
2011, For Electrostatic Discharge Sensitivity Testing Human Body Model HBM CLASS 0
(HBM) - Component Level Table 3 has divided the Class 0 classification Handle Only Using Class 0
into two withstand voltage levels with class 0A being less than 125 volt ESD Control Precautions
sensitivity, and class 0B being 125 to less than 250 volts.

Per EN 61340-5-1 Scope “ESDS with lower withstand voltages may require additional control
elements or adjusted limits”. If you handle Class 0A ESDS items, to decrease the probability of ESD
damage, additional precautions may be required including additional and/or more stringent technical
requirements for EPA 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, tailoring the process to handle the more
sensitive parts.

For example: If the person/footwear/flooring personnel 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:

IONISATION
• More stringent removal of non essential items from the workstation
• Ionisation to reduce charges on isolated conductors like devices on PCB’s
• Ionisation to reduce induction charging from process essential insulators
• More stringent Offset Voltage (Balance) and/or faster Decay times
• Use of Ionisers 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 x 106 to < 1 x 109 ohm
dissipative worksurface
• Require conductive ESD Floor (Per ANSI/ESD STM7.1 < 1 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 ESD Smocks to shield ESD sensitive items from charges on operator clothing
• Use ESD packaging with shielding properties to store and transport ESDS both within and outside
the ESD protected area

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

© 2017 DESCO EUROPE 15

 ESD BASICS (Supervisor Level) QUIZ - True or False

1 An example of Electro Static Discharge or ESD is the zap one sometimes feels after walking across
carpeting and touching a metal doorknob.
2 Static Charges are generated when two surfaces contact and separate. Electrons move from one surface
to another causing an imbalance. The surface with a deficiency of electrons has a positive charge and the
surface with an excess of electrons has a negative charge.
3 ElectroStatic charges eventually will come into balance, but when this occurs suddenly an ESD or
ElectroStatic Discharge event occurs. However, this event cannot melt electronic circuitry.
4 A powerful example of an ESD event, creating lots of heat and light, is lightning.
5 Conductors are a type of material where electrical current flows easily so it can be grounded. Examples of
conductors include plastics and Styrofoam cups.
6 Insulators are a type of material where electrical current does not flow easily that cannot be grounded.
Examples of insulators include metals and people.
7 A person walking across a carpeted floor can generate a voltage, but not greater than 100 volts of
electrostatic charge on their body.
8 Charges on a person frequently discharge, but for the person to feel the zap, a discharge must be about
2,000 volts.
9 In manufacturing handling electronic components, ESD is the hidden enemy as there can easily be
damaging ElectroStatic discharges that a person cannot see or feel.
10 Passing an inspection test means that the ESD sensitive item (ESDS) has experienced a catastrophic
ESD failure.
11 Passing an inspection test means that the ESD sensitive item (ESDS) has not experienced a latent ESD
defect.
12 Although passing all inspections in the factory, ESDS items having latent defects and failing in the field can
be very expensive in warranty expense, field service repairs, and loss of customer satisfaction.
13 Manufacturing ESD sensitive items without proper ESD control is like a physician conducting surgery on
you without following sterilisation procedures.
14 A person can be charged, and as a conductor, should be grounded at the ESD protective workstation.
Always be grounded when handling unpackaged ESD sensitive items; and always wear a wrist strap when
seated at an ESD protected workstation.
15 Make sure to always ground insulators.
16 Even if it adversely effects the quality of the products you are working on, allow strangers into the work
area and handle products as they please.
17 If the air flow of the ioniser bothers you, it’s OK to direct it away from the products you are working on.
18 Regular plastic bags are high charging insulators and should not be permitted in an ESD protected area.
19 ESD Shielding Bags, if closed, will keep electrostatic charges on the exterior of the bag, and being
dissipative, the charge will be removed when handled by a grounded person or placed upon a properly
grounded ESD Worksurface.
20 Wrist Straps and ESD footwear should be tested at least daily, and while wearing them. You should
notify your supervisor if a failure occurs.
21 ESD Foot Grounder grounding tabs should be cut off.
22 ESD Smocks shield ESDS items from charges on your clothing. Most clothing is insulative and these
charges cannot be removed via your wrist strap. Make sure to button up ESD Smock covering all clothing.
23 The ESD Association understands that high charging personal items should be allowed in an ESD
protected area, even if they might damage products.
24 Only trained or escorted people should be allowed in an ESD protected area.
25 Use ESD packaging having discharge shielding property to store or transport ESD sensitive items outside
an ESD protected area.

16 © 2017 DESCO EUROPE

ESD BASICS (Assembler Level) QUIZ

Please answer the following questions by circling the 9. An ESD protective worksurface mat
correct letter. should be:
A. Grounded
1. Electrostatic charges are generated: B. Clear of nonessential insulators
A. By heat C. Cleaned only with an ESD cleaner
B. By high humidity D. All of the above
C. When 2 surfaces contact then separate
10. Wrist Strap Band should be:
2. When a “zap” is felt by a person, the voltage A. Snug on skin around the wrist
of the ElectroStatic Discharge (ESD) has to be B. Removed if a nuisance
about: C. Placed over shirt sleeve
A. 200 volts
B. 2,000 volts 11. Foot Grounders, if used, should be tested at
C. 20,000 volts least daily; the grounding tab should be:
A. Cut off
3. The first line of defense against ESD is: B. Placed in shoe under your foot
A. The Ioniser C. Tied around your finger
B. The foot grounder
C. The wrist strap 12. An ESD smock shields product you are
working on from charges on your clothing.
4. Some of today’s ESD sensitive devices can be Front panels should be:
damage by as little as: A. Closed covering all clothing on torso
A. 100 volts B. Left wide open
B. 800 volts C. Tied calypso style
C. 3,000 volts
13. In the workplace, ESD is an hidden enemy,
5. If not using continuous monitors, wrist straps you may want to think of it as a form of:
should be tested at least: A. Combustion, like where there’s smoke there’s fire
A. Daily B. Corruption, like money and politicians
B. Weekly C. Contamination, like germs in an hospital operating
C. Monthly room

6. When transporting or storing ESD sensitive 14. Insulators, not needed to do your job, such as
devices outside the ESD protected area, the drinking cups, regular tape, picture frames,
devices should be in packaging that includes: radio enclosures, etc. should be:
A. Grounding A. Allowed to induce charges on ESD sensitive
B. Shielding products
C. Ionising B. Colour coded for identification
C. Removed from the ESD protective workstation
7. Materials that are non-conductors cannot be
grounded; they are also called: 15. ESD control products are often regular
A. Dissipative products that have at least one ESD control
B. Conductors property added. Examples are:
C. Insulators A. ESD smocks
B. ESD packaging, bags and boxes
8. To neutralise ElectroStatic charges on C. Dissipative document holders
insulators, use: D. All of the above
A. Ground cords
B. Conductive mats
C. Ionisers

For quiz answers go to:

www.DescoIndustries.com/pdf/assembler.pdf

www.DescoIndustries.com/pdf/leadperson.pdf

© 2017 DESCO EUROPE

 Desco Industries Inc. brands include:
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Control Products ESD products

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see Technical and Resources 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 must occur. The compliance verification plan must document the test methods 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.” [IEC 61340-5-1 Edition 1 2007-08 clause 5.2.3
Compliance verification plan]

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© 2017 DESCO EUROPE