ESD Association Technical Report for the Protection of Electrostatic Discharge Susceptible Items

Overview

The Electrostatic Discharge Association (ESDA) Standards Committee developed this ESD handbook for individuals and organizations that are faced with controlling ESD. It provides guidance that can be used for developing, implementing, and monitoring an electrostatic discharge control program in accordance with ANSI/ESD S20.20. This handbook applies to activities that include manufacturing, processing, assembling, installing, packaging, labeling, servicing, testing, inspecting, or otherwise handling electrical or electronic parts, assemblies, and equipment susceptible to damage by electrostatic discharges greater than or equal to 100 volts human body model (HBM), 200 volts charged device model (CDM), and exposure to charged isolated conductors

ANSI/ESD S20.20 is the culmination of ESDA’s response to the US Department of Defense’s request to write a commercial version of MIL-STD-1686, Electrostatic Discharge Control Program for Protection of Electrical and Electronic Parts, Assemblies, and Equipment (Excluding Electrically Initiated Explosive Devices). This handbook is a living document that is periodically updated as new ESD control technology emerges.

The fundamental ESD control principles that form the basis of ANSI/ESD S20.20 are as follows. All conductive and dissipative items in the environment, including personnel, should be bonded or electrically connected and attached to a known ground or contrived ground (as on shipboard or on aircraft). This attachment creates an equipotential balance between all items and personnel. Electrostatic protection can be maintained at a potential above a “zero” voltage ground potential as long as all items in the system are at the same potential. However, there are times when it is not possible to ground all the conductors that come into contact with electrostatic discharge sensitive (ESDS) items. Some examples include in-circuit testers (ICT), device-level microprobes, or cables that need to be connected for testing purposes. In these cases, the requirement in ANSI/ESD S20.20 is for the isolated conductors to have between - 35 and + 35 volts before contacting the ESDS item

Insulators in the environment that have been triboelectrically charged cannot lose their electrostatic charge by attachment to ground. Circuit board materials and some device packages are examples of necessary insulators. Properly deployed ionization systems can reduce the residual charge on these necessary insulative items over time. Assessment of the ESD hazard created by electrostatic charge on the necessary insulators in the work place is required to ensure that appropriate actions are implemented, commensurate with risk.