Electrostatic Discharge Safety 235

American National Standards Institute

ANSI. A nonprofit organization that establishes standards and guidelines for several industries and related processes and products. The American National Standards Institute outlines procedures for preventing and testing for ESD.

amperes

A. A unit of measurement that describes both the amount of electricity and the time it takes to travel a certain distance. Amperes must be measured in ESD Protected Areas to protect ESDS devices.

ANSI

The American National Standards Institute. A nonprofit organization that establishes standards and guidelines for several industries and related processes and products. ANSI outlines procedures for preventing and testing for ESD.

ANSI/ESD S20.20-2021

A standard that provides guidance for manufacturing, processes, assembly, installation, labeling, services, testing, inspection, transportation, and handling of electronic parts, assemblies, or other equipment susceptible to ESD. ANSI/ESD S20.20-2021 applies across multiple industries but majorly impacts the semiconductor industry.

antistatic bags

A type of bag that prevents triboelectric charging but does not offer protection from electrostatic discharge. Antistatic bags can be used for devices that are not electrostatic discharge sensitive.

antistatic containers

A container made of materials resistant to the build-up of electric charge. Antistatic containers include plastic containers that may be used to hold electronic components.

antistatic mats

A mat made of a material that conducts current away from a person or object and into the ground. Antistatic mats can prevent electrostatic discharge that could start a fire or damage sensitive electrical components.

antistatic workbenches

A sturdy surface made of antistatic materials that protects objects on the surface from ESD damage. Antistatic workbenches are customizable to meet the demands of manufacturers.

antistatic wrist straps

A safety device worn around the wrist that conducts electricity away from the wearer and into the ground through a grounding cord attached to a grounded workstation. Antistatic wrist straps protect the technician and components from electrostatic discharge.

bouffant caps

A loose covering that secures around the head with an elastic band. Bouffant caps are used in a cleanroom to prevent hair from contaminating sensitive products.

carbon fibers

A material consisting of thin, thread-like strands of carbon, a strong nonmetallic element. Carbon fibers have static dissipative qualities.

catastrophic failure

The result of electrostatic discharge damage that causes a microelectronic to no longer function. Catastrophic failure may be caused by melted metal, a junction breakdown, or oxide failure.

charged

Possessing an electrical charge, either positive or negative. Charged objects produce electrostatic fields.

Charged Device Model

CDM. A test that measures the discharge from a charged object to another conductive object or surface. The Charged Device Model helps technicians understand how much voltage an ESDS device can handle from contacting another charged object.

circuit pathway

The pattern in which current flows in a circuit. Circuit pathways may be damaged by ESD.

cleanrooms

A room in which variables like temperature, humidity, particle count, and air pressure are controlled and maintained. Cleanrooms are used for manufacturing microelectronics.

conductive

A material's ability to act as a path for the movement of electricity. Conductive materials can form magnetic fields when energized.

conductors

A material that allows for easy flow of electricity. Conductors must be managed to prevent ESD damage.

consumers

A person who purchases products. Consumers expect reliable products and can become distrusting of a company or brand when those products fail.

contamination

The presence of an unwanted material or substance, such as dust or skin particles, which causes components to function improperly or wear prematurely. Contamination can be prevented by wearing the proper PPE.

continuous monitors

A variety of devices that monitor the electrostatic levels of a work area or the functionality of PPE, such as antistatic wrist straps or heel grounders. Continuous monitors can mount directly on a workbench.

cotton

A fabric made from the fiber of cotton plants. Cotton fabrics have static dissipative qualities.

coveralls

An article of protective clothing that covers the entire body from wrists to ankles. Coveralls may be made of static dissipative material to reduce ESD.

discharge shielding bags

A type of bag that possesses antistatic properties and has a Faraday cage effect, which protects the ESDS devices inside the bag. Discharge shielding bags can be reused, but there is a limit to the number of uses.

dry room

A type of cleanroom that maintains a lower humidity, usually at or below 1 percent. Dry rooms require ionizers to help mitigate electrostatic discharge.

electric charges

A property of an object that can be neutral, positive, or negative. Electric charges change when they come into contact with other charged or neutral objects.

electric fields

A region around a charged particle that exerts a force on other charged particles. Electric fields can cause electrostatic discharge if a conductive object enters the field.

electrical potential

The difference in potential energy per unit of electrical charge at a point in an electrical field. Electrical potential must be equal for all objects and people in an EPA to prevent charges from flowing.

electrons

A negatively charged particle that orbits the center of an atom. Electrons play an integral role in conducting current.

electrostatic attraction

The phenomenon where electronic devices develop a static charge due to processes like triboelectric charging. Electrostatic attraction can lead to the malfunctioning of devices because small particles disrupt the circuitry.

electrostatic discharge

ESD. A release of static electricity that occurs when two objects with different charges come into contact. Electrostatic discharge can harm equipment and technicians.

Electrostatic Discharge Association

ESDA. A professional, voluntary association that develops international industry standards and educational curriculum for ESD mitigation. The Electrostatic Discharge Association helped developed the standard for ESD control with ANSI.

electrostatic discharge sensitive devices

ESDS devices. Any component, particularly electrical, that could be significantly damaged by electrostatic discharge. Electrostatic discharge sensitive devices require certain processes to prevent defects.

electrostatic field

The area of potential electrical force surrounding an object. Electrostatic fields can lead to the redistribution of charges or electrostatic discharge.

electrostatic induction

The phenomenon when an object experiences a redistribution of electric charges due to the presence of a nearby charged object. Electrostatic induction can charge an object and cause electrostatic discharge.

EPA

ESD Protected Area. A defined space that keeps all ESDS devices, objects, and people at the same electrical potential. EPAs have strict guidelines for technicians and equipment to prevent ESD from occurring.

ESD

Electrostatic discharge. A release of static electricity that occurs when two objects with different charges come into contact. Electrostatic discharge can harm equipment and technicians.

ESD Control Program

An established set of precautions taken to prevent electrostatic discharge during the manufacturing, processing, assembling, installing, packaging, labeling, servicing, testing, inspecting, and handling of electronic parts. ESD control programs protect microelectronics from failing.

ESD event

The discharging of electricity between a conductor and another object after coming into contact. ESD events include the human body coming into contact with a device or two objects coming into contact.

ESD floor

A type of flooring made from conductive materials or dissipative materials. ESD flooring must often be used in conjunction with antistatic footwear.

ESD Protected Areas

EPA. A defined space that keeps all ESDS devices, objects, and people at the same electrical potential. ESD Protected Areas have strict guidelines for technicians and equipment to prevent ESD from occurring.

ESD test stations

A device that mounts to the wall or stands on its own and tests antistatic wrist straps or heel grounders. ESD test stations store data to generate reports for proving compliance with ANSI standards.

ESDA

Electrostatic Discharge Association. A professional, voluntary association that develops international industry standards and educational curriculum for ESD mitigation. The ESDA helped developed the standard for ESD control with ANSI.

ESDS devices

Electrostatic discharge sensitive devices. Any component, particularly electrical, that could be significantly damaged by electrostatic discharge. ESDS devices require certain processes to prevent defects.

ESD-safe tools

Any tool that has antistatic or static dissipative qualities. ESD-safe tools may be customized to the manufacturing process.

face masks

An item of protective clothing that is made from multiple layers of cotton or other tightly woven material and fits snugly over the nose and mouth. Face masks help prevent contamination and offer different levels of protection based on their material.

Faraday cage

An enclosure made of conductive material that distributes electrical charges to cancel out an electric field. Faraday cages are required for microelectronics packaging.

friction

A force that resists motion between components in an operation. Friction can lead to the buildup of static electricity.

gloves

A protective hand covering. Gloves made of latex can protect against contamination and ESD.

heel grounders

A removeable strap that is attached to a shoe around the ankle and under the heel that conducts electricity away from the wearer and into the ground. Heel grounders can prevent ESD from damaging microelectronics.

Human Body Model

HBM. A test that measures the discharge from the fingertip of an individual to a conductive device. The Human Body Model helps technicians understand how much voltage an ESDS device can handle from human touch.

humidifiers

A device that increases the water vapor in the environment. Humidifiers in cleanrooms can help reduce the possibility of ESD.

humidity control

The usage of various devices to control the amount of water vapor in the air. Humidity control can include increasing humidity to reduce the ability for objects to hold static charges.

IEC 61340-5-1

A European standard developed by the IEC to establish, implement, and maintain an ESD control program. IEC 61340-5-1 is considered to be equivalent to ANSI/ESD S20.2021.

insulator

A material or element that has little electrical conductivity and high resistance to electrical charges. Insulators in microelectronics hold conductors in position to prevent them from contacting other circuit components.

integrated circuits

A complete electronic circuit within a single component. Integrated circuits include microchips and require electrostatic discharge safety precautions.

International Electrotechnical Commission

IEC. An organization that prepares and publishes standards for electrical, electronic, and related technologies. The International Electrotechnical Commission develops standards that are applied in the European Union and many other countries.

ionizers

A device that uses high voltage to electrically charge air molecules into a neutral state. Ionizers are used in cleanrooms to prevent electrostatic discharge and electrostatic attraction.

junction breakdown

An electrical failure that occurs in semiconductors, conductors, and insulators that can cause excess current to damage the microelectronic. Junction breakdowns can cause an electronic to stop functioning entirely.

latent failure

The result of electrostatic discharge damage that causes a microelectronic to fail quicker than normal. Latent failure in microelectronics is not detectable during testing.

Machine Model

MM. An outdated test method that has been replaced by the Charged Device Model. The Machine Model is no longer required because the CDM sufficiently tests for a charged object contacting a conductive machine.

microelectronics

A miniaturized electronic device or circuit. Microelectronics, including microchips and microcircuits, rely on semiconductor devices.

nanoseconds

ns. A unit used to measure time that is equal to one billionth of a second. Nanoseconds are used to measure how quickly an ESD event can occur.

negatively charged

Electrically charged with a surplus of electrons. Negatively charged objects will forfeit electrons to a positively charged object, resulting in a sudden flow of electricity.

neutral

A material or structure that is not electrically charged. A neutral object can still transfer electrons if it comes in contact with a charged object.

ohms

Ω. A unit of measurement used for electrical resistance. Ohms must be measured in ESD Protected Areas to protect ESDS devices.

oxide failure

The breakdown of the insulating layer of silicon dioxide used in semiconductors that can result in complete device failure. Oxide failure can occur from several different failed components.

particles

A relatively small portion of matter. Particles carry a charge that could potentially lead to electrostatic discharge.

partitions

A device or wall that separates a part of a room from the rest. Partitions may be used to create the boundaries of an EPA.

personal protective equipment

PPE. An article of clothing or a device worn to minimize exposure to hazards and prevent injury. Personal protective equipment for preventing ESD includes antistatic wrist straps and heel grounders.

pliers

A pincer-shaped tool with flat gripping surfaces used to hold objects or bend wire. Pliers have handles that can be made of antistatic materials.

polarized

An object that becomes positively or negatively charged. Polarized objects may be attracted to charged surfaces.

polyester

A plastic material that is often used in synthetic fabrics. Polyester fabrics have static dissipative qualities.

positively charged

Electrically charged with a shortage of electrons. Positively charged objects will acquire electrons from a negatively charged object, resulting in a sudden flow of electricity.

PPE

Personal protective equipment. An article of clothing or a device worn to minimize exposure to hazards and prevent injury. PPE for preventing ESD includes antistatic wrist straps and heel grounders.

protons

A positively charged particle within the nucleus of an atom. When the number of protons is equal to the number of electrons in an object, the object has a neutral charge.

quality check

The process of determining whether a device is in compliance with standards. Quality checks help to ensure that a device is working properly.

screwdrivers

A tool used to fasten and tighten screws. Screwdrivers have a handle on one end that can be made of antistatic materials.

semiconductor device

A electronic component with an electrical conductivity level between that of a conductor and an insulator. Semiconductor devices are extremely sensitive to electrostatic discharge, making it important to implement an ESD control program.

shoe covers

A disposable plastic barrier that goes over the shoe. Shoe covers prevent technicians from contaminating an area with the debris on their shoes.

smocks

An article of protective clothing that covers the arms and chest down to the knees. Smocks may be used in less strict cleanrooms instead of coveralls.

standards

An established policy on a particular practice or method. Standards for electrostatic discharge help protect electronic devices.

static dissipative

A material or object that conducts electricity away from a person or object and into the ground. Static dissipative PPE is essential for preventing ESD.

static electricity

An electrical charge caused by the buildup of friction in a person or object. Static electricity can be controlled using grounded items, such as antistatic wrist straps or heel grounders.

thresholds

A limit that a given parameter must be within. Thresholds for ESDS devices help technicians understand the acceptable range of ESD that an electronic can endure.

triboelectric charging

The charging of two objects when they slide against one another or make contact then separate. Triboelectric charging produces static electricity as a consequence.

voltage

A measure of electrical pressure or potential known as electromotive force. Voltage is measured in volts.

volts

V. A unit of measurement for electromagnetic force or pressure. Volts measure voltage.