PROTECT ELECTRO STATIC SENSITIVE DEVICES
ABOUT ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE (ESD)
To a greater or lesser extent all contact between objects, every separation of one item from another,
each sliding of one thing on another, causes a disturbance of electrical charge. When charge
disturbance take place faster than charge redistribution, static charge accumulates. ESD occurs
where charges of different electrostatic potentials meet. The flow of electrons is usually sudden and
releases energy that can damage electrostatic sensitive devices (ESDs) This is referred to as tribo electric generations.
Static charges of upto 30000 volts are not uncommon and can be generated by the simple act of walking
across a floor, yet a discharge of only 10 volts can destroy a class 1 ESD sensitive device.
A material that inhibits the generation of tribo electric generation is classified as anti-static. An anti-static
material can be
conductive ( 103 -106 ohms/sq),
static dissipative ( 107 -109 ohms/sq),
anti-static (1010 - 1012 ohms/sq) or even
insulative (greater than 1012 ohms/sq)
Only conductive or static dissipative anti static material should be used in ESD protected areas .