Electrostatic discharges

Electrostatic charge can caused by separation of materials or by influence too.

A very low voltage change can damage the electronic devices or parts such as integrated circuits, FET, SMD parts.

The following list includes all the relevant measures with which the risk of electrostatic discharges can be decreased:

  • Handle the electrostatic sensitive devices (ESDS) within an electrostatic protected area (EPA).
  • Avoid electrostatic charge up
  • Ensure sufficient personel grounding by wrist strap, footwear and flooring. 
  • Avoid the electrostatic charging materials, such as conventional PE, PVC, PS etc.
  • Always wear fastened dissipative garment, smock 
  • Continuous trainings and checks
  • Do not expose the ESDS to an electrostatic field higher than 100 V/cm
  • Regularly checking of equipment and devices used within the EPA 
  • Use only certified ESD packaging and shipping materials. 

charge up caused by rubbing or separation

Static electricity is a surface phenomenon and is generated when surfaces come into contact with one another and are separated again. The greater the pressure or the speed of separation, the greater the charge.

electron transfer between materials

The root cause of electron transfer  is the atomic structure of materials. After the two surfaces come into contact electrons from one material transfer to the other material.  The magnitude and polarity of the charge depend on the position in the Tribo-electric series.

electrostatic neutrality

The electron transfer lasts as long as the Fermi level of materials equalize. The contacted materials show electroneutrality, because in general electron does not leave and arrive to the surface. During the separation the electrons try to find their original position on the material, but they do not have enough time to align back.