All you need to know about Electric Discharge testing

Electrostatic Discharge
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is defined by the IEC as “a transfer of electric charge between bodies of varying electrostatic potential in proximity or through direct contact” in accordance with IEC 61000-4-2 standard.

ESD61000-2_Electrostatic Discharge Simulator

How are devices subject to electric discharge testing
ESD test standards are creating a uniform and repeatable framework for assessing how electrical and electronic equipment performs when exposed to electrostatic discharges.

One of the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) tests used on electrical goods or components is electrostatic discharge testing (ESD). ESD testing falls under the category of immunity testing, which is a subset of EMC testing. ESD testing is carried out in accordance with the ESD standard and any applicable product standards. The product and its intended application will determine the ESD test standards.

Instrument used for ESD testing
Tests for electrostatic discharge are carried out using ESD generators or simulators. Given that they resemble weapons in shape, they can be called guns. According to their highest voltage levels, ESD guns come in a variety of forms, including 15kV, 16kV, 30kV, and more.

Testing Standards
Numerous product standards include references to ESD standards. Prior conducting ESD testing, it is necessary to verify the features of the product or EUT and to select the appropriate standards. The majority of commercially available finished goods fall under the purview of IEC 61000-4-2. The automotive industry uses ISO 10605, which outlines test methods for analyzing electronic components on a test bench and whole vehicles. All forms of road vehicles, regardless of their propulsion method, must comply with ISO 10605. (e.g. spark-ignition engine, diesel engine, electric motor).

There are generally two standards disused in terms of electrostatic discharge simulator. The testing, grading, and categorization of components and microcircuits in accordance with their susceptibility to degradation or damage by exposure to a specified human body model electrostatic discharge are established in the ANSI/ESDA/JEDEC JS-001 standard.

The testing, ranking, and categorization of devices and microcircuits in accordance with their susceptibility (sensitivity) to damage or deterioration by exposure to a specified field-induced charged device model electrostatic discharge are established under the ANSI/ESDA/JEDEC JS-002 standard. This standard must be followed when evaluating any packaged semiconductor devices, thin film circuits, surface acoustic wave devices, opto-electronic devices, hybrid integrated circuits, or multi-chip modules that comprise any of these components. The devices must be put together into a package that resembles what will be used in the final application in order to conduct the tests.

ESD Test Levels
The EUT must pass testing using the standards that apply to its installation environment or usage environment. You must confirm the ESD test values from the relevant product standard because IEC 61000-4-2 is a test standard rather than a product standard. IEC/EN 60601-1-2, for instance, specifies test values of -/+2kV, -/+4kV, and -/+8kV for air discharges and -/+2kV, -/+4kV, and -/+6kV for contact discharges for medical equipment. ESD test levels are defined in IEC/EN 60601-1-2, which also provides references to IEC 61000-4-2 on how to carry out ESD testing.

The ESD test thresholds for your product can therefore be easily defined by setting your product standard. ESD test levels can go as high as 30 kV, and these levels can be used with ESD generators that have a 30 kV output.

ESD Protection Recommendations
Cellular phones and other portable electronic gadgets are filled with RF and DC parts like amplifiers, attenuators, switches, and filters. Some of them could need ESD protection, while others might not. However, because the ESD pulse can enter the switch through one of the RF inputs, outputs, or even the DC bias routes, it is required to treat the entire phone as an ESD-sensitive system in order to safeguard even one ESD sensitive semiconductor, such as a GaAs switch.

FAQs
Can a magnet or other strong magnetic field cause ESD? Are magnetic fields and ESD connected in any way?
As long as the magnetic source and the thing being affected by the field are stationary, a high magnetic field won’t cause an ESD. A current will be induced if the magnetic field changes or if the object crosses the field lines (if the object is conductive). If an isolated conductor is exposed to a changing magnetic field long enough, it will generate enough charge to cause an ESD issue. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) can also produce magnetic fields, which, if improperly shielded, can cause currents (charges) to flow through isolated conductors. PCs, ESD, transformers, fluorescent lighting, etc. are a few examples of EMI sources. In a typical working setting, these sources are most likely insignificant.

Why are resistors present in certain ESD ground cords but not in others?
A conducting surface is connected to the same voltage as your power ground using an ESD Ground cable. A “hard ground” is a connection to ground made with a ground cable that has no additional resistance; in other words, the resistance between the power ground and the common point of contact is zero.

A ground cable that has a built-in series resistance, typically 1 Megohm, known as a “soft ground,” is used only to restrict any potential current that an operator might come into touch with when exposed to 110 VAC and up to 250 VAC at its highest. The resistorized cord is utilized to increase the operator’s safety. The ESD Association suggests grounding your ESD bench top or floor mat with a hard ground (ANSI EOS/ESD S6.1-1991).

Lisun Instruments Limited was found by LISUN GROUP in 2003. LISUN quality system has been strictly certified by ISO9001:2015. As a CIE Membership, LISUN products are designed based on CIE, IEC and other international or national standards. All products passed CE certificate and authenticated by the third party lab.

Our main products are Goniophotometer, Integrating Sphere, Spectroradiometer, Surge Generator, ESD Simulator Guns, EMI Receiver, EMC Test Equipment, Electrical Safety Tester, Environmental Chamber, Temperature Chamber, Climate Chamber, Thermal Chamber, Salt Spray Test, Dust Test Chamber, Waterproof Test, RoHS Test (EDXRF), Glow Wire Test and Needle Flame Test.

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