Laboratory Safety & Lab Efficiency

Electronic manufacturers have to maintain a safe working environment and ensure the highest quality of a product by adhering to ESD or electrostatic discharge protocols. So, what is ESD and what ESD equipment can be used to control the threat posed by static electricity.

What is ESD Safety?

ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) is an event that occurs when there is a rapid transfer of electrostatic charge between two objects. Typically, it’s between two objects with different electrical charges that come in contact with one another. However, two objects that are close to each other can also cause a highly charged electrostatic field.

An ESD event can damage electronic components or impact the functionality of a component or device. This can lead to additional costs with either having to repair or provide a replacement. ESD can be prevented or controlled with the use of ESD equipment.

What is ESD Equipment?

ESD equipment is a variety of tools that are used in electrostatic-sensitive environments. These tools minimize, eliminate, or dissipate the threat of electrostatic discharge. It neutralizes the threat posed by static electricity. It prevents the buildup of static electricity, safely discharges static electricity, and protects people, products, and the environment from a discharge.

Here are the top ESD Control Products & Systems to avoid an Electrostatic Discharge:

Anti-Static Foam. Anti-static foam dissipates charges that are electro-static which prevent damage to devices and electronic parts. The foam is treated chemically with anti-static agents to prevent any static charges and is made from static dissipative polyethylene and polyurethane material.

Static Shielding Bags. Static shielding bags are used to safely transport components and parts from the factory to its intended destination. These containers are designed to protect products that are ESD sensitive from static electricity. This protection is provided inside and outside the bag. It prevents the buildup of static electricity and protects from electrostatic damage.

The inner layer of the bag is made out of static dissipative polyethylene which is encased with aluminum shielding. The layer in between is an aluminum sheet. The outer layer is a polyester covering that dissipates external static charges.

Static shielding bags provide packaging that can come into contact with static sensitive components safely and packaging that encloses but does not come into direct contact with the product.

Anti-Static Bags. Anti-static bags are much simpler bags that are used to transport components into a static controlled environment safely. These bags provide packaging that encloses but does not come into direct contact with the product and packaging that can only be used as protection against physical damage during shipping. These bags are ideal for transporting components and products that aren’t statically sensitive. They prevent the buildup of static electricity and do not carry a charge.

Anti-Static Labels. Anti-static labels should be applied to any packaging that holds devices that are static sensitive. They are designed to withstand the PC board manufacturing process and conform to the compliance requirements of the electronics industry.

The labels serve two purposes. One is to eliminate any charge produced when the label is removed from the liner that could emit ESD and damage sensitive components. It also prevents charge buildup on the surface after the label is applied that could generate a static discharge occurrence.

The labels are made with anti-static adhesives, ink that safely reacts to humidity and temperature, and electrostatic dissipative and ROHS compliant material.

ESD Bags. Manufacturers can transport sensitive items securely from production to its destination in ESD bags. The bags are designed for the storage of, transport, and safe handling of electronic components. They control the static electricity during the handling, packaging, transporting, and repair process.

The bags protect components or devices from electrostatic discharge. They also provide protection from contamination and mechanical protection. They protect from the triboelectric buildup from contact with people or other surfaces.

ESD Equipment Ground Monitors. The monitoring of operator and work station grounds is essential when handling devices that are ESD sensitive. ESD equipment ground monitors are used to monitor buildup of electrostatic energy in workstations usually between the equipment and the worker. 

These monitors are plugged into the workbench or mat and the worker’s ESD wrist strap. The units, which are grounded by an AC adapter, measure the electrostatic energy of the environment constantly and provide a read out of the results.

ESD Floor Mats. ESD floor mats offer the best protection from static electricity. Static dissipative matting provides resistance to electrostatic discharge by dissipating the static buildup. These mats are generally compatible with any type of shoe.

ESD Foot Grounders.  ESD foot grounders are based on a body to ground connection. The foot grounders emit static from person to ground through the connection of the person to a walking surface that is grounded. A conductive ribbon inside the shoe makes electrical contact through perspiration with the skin.

ESD Ionizers. ESD ionizers are devices that remove a static charge from a surface. Ionizers are used when it’s not possible to ground everything. They’re also used as a backup to other static control methods.

Wrist Straps. The wrist straps prevent the generation of and buildup of static electricity that is close to sensitive electronics where the static charge could possibly damage the equipment or cause issues of safety The wrist strap consists of threads that are highly conductive that lead to a ground conductor. This discharges the static electricity safely.

For over 40 years, Lab Pro Inc. has been committed to delivering the highest quality lab equipment such as electrostatic discharge (ESD) control products, lab supplies, chemicals, and cleanroom PPE apparel to medical device and electronic manufacturing laboratories worldwide. To learn more, visit the biggest Lab Supply showroom in California, or contact us online or at 888-452-2776.