ESD stands for Electro-Static Discharge.

This phoenomenon is a movement of electrons that happens when two objects with opposite charges are near each other.The bigger the difference in charge between them will result in a more intense discharge.

Think about a very common event: The moment you touch a metal door handle and suddenly BZZZT! You get shocked. This is a classic example of ESD.

Are ESDs dangerous?

Yes, they are. Generally speaking we refer to ESDs as shocks that most of the time are imperceptible to us humans but can cause great ammounts of damage to electronic components that we might be working on like circuit boards, microchips etc…
With the technological evolution of these devices and their relative components becoming smaller and more delicate towards ESDs, even the smallest discharge for the smallest fraction of time can cause damage. For example HDDs have components that are sensitive to discharges of 10 volts only.

How do I protect components from ESDs?

A general rule of thumb is that EVERYTHING (The worktop, the pavement, the screwdriver’s handle, even you) must be – directly or indirectly – connected to ground. The current will always flow wherever it will find the easiest path, meaning that grounding is ideal.
Always have two main objectives:

• Keep to a minimum the chance of new charges being generated
• Create an ideal path that will channel charges towards ground

Even the enviroment like air and temperature play a very important role in generating and transfering ESDs. The drier the air the more the risk of having an electrostatic field able to bridge the gap to your components. To solve this issue a ioniser must be used while monitoring temperature and humidity.

Our objective must be creating a fully fledged EPA (ESD Protected Area), a space where having an ESD event occurring is practically none. Having more precautions  will allow to work without worries. A complete enclosed and controlled EPA will always be the safest option.

You must remember though that the user has a big responsibility. Unfortunately many incidents that cause terrible damages in big companies are caused by employees inattention.

Which products are ESD-SAFE? How do they work?

ESD SAFE products can be divided – in my personal opinion – in two:

• Those that stop the generation of new charges
• Those that help bringing charges to ground

My ESD-SAFE labcoat stops new charges from forming.
My ESD-SAFE shoes transport charges to the ESD-SAFE pavement that will do the same towards ground. This way the component I’m working on won’t be damaged by ESDs since they’re being routed somewhere else. This is how it works in simple terms

Another example: Look at the image below:

We’ve got an ESD-SAFE workbench positioned on an ESD-SAFE tile floor that has been connected to ground. The charges on the worktop will be conveyed on the structure that will dissipate to ground.

Remember the following objectives:

• Reduce to a minimum the generation of charges
• Create a path that will discharge to ground

Where can I buy ESD-SAFE products?

On our e-commerce you will find a wide array of certified products that comply to IEC 61340-5-1 regulations.
We supply ESD-SAFE or standard furniture  like workbenches, cabinets and tool holding carts but also consumer products like labcoats, polos, shoes, chairs, tile floors and many more.

Click here to visit our dedicated ESD-SAFE products section

For any further information do not hesitate to contact us at info@maxder.it or by phone at +39 026600703