About Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is the sudden flow of electricity between two electrically charged objects. Such flow can be caused by contact, an electrical short, or dielectric breakdown. Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can cause serious damage to printed circuit boards and electronic modules.
Beware of Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)!
Note
When you handle electronic circuit boards and modules, you must beware of the dangers of electrostatic discharge (ESD), both to yourself and to the equipment. In order to ensure safe transport and storage, circuit boards and other electronic units will always be wrapped in a clear plastic protective bag, and the bag will be sealed.
For correct and safe handling of printed circuit boards and electronic modules, you need a suitable working area. The working area must be covered by an approved conductive service mat that has a resistance of between 50 kΩ and 2 MΩ, and is connected directly to a reliable earth point via its earthing cord. You - and all other service personnel involved - must wear a wristband in direct contact with the skin. The wristband must be electrically connected to the service mat..
What is Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)?
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is the transfer of an electrostatic charge between two bodies at different electrostatic levels, caused either by direct contact or induction by an electrostatic field. The passing of a charge through an electronic device can cause local overheating, and it can also "puncture" insulating layers within the structure of the device. This may deposit a conductive residue of the vaporized metal on the device, and thus create a short circuit. Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) may result in a failures or degraded performance of the device.
Precautions to prevent Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
Sensitive printed circuit boards and electronic modules must always be transported and stored in protective antistatic packing bags. It as also important that they are not transported or stored close to strong electrostatic, electromagnetic or radioactive fields. If it is necessary to open and touch the printed circuit board or module inside the protective bag, the following precautions must be taken.
1 For correct and safe handling of printed circuit boards and electronic modules, you need a suitable working area. The working area must be covered by an approved conductive service mat that has a resistance of between 50 kΩ and 2 MΩ, and is connected directly to a reliable earth point via its earthing cord.
2 You - and all other service personnel involved - must wear a wristband in direct contact with the skin. The wristband must be electrically connected to the service mat.
3 Printed circuit boards and electronic modules must be placed on the conductive service mat during installation and maintenance operations.
4 If, for any reason, it is necessary to move the circuit board from the conductive service mat, it must be placed in an approved antistatic transportation container (for example a static shielding bag) before transportation.
5 During installation and servicing, all electrical equipment (for example soldering irons and test equipment) must be earthed.