ESD Protection for Electronic Components
September 09, 2024
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Electrostatic discharges (ESD) pose an invisible risk to electronic components. They can happen anywhere that components are being processed, and the damage they cause can range from the loss of data to the complete failure of the component. However, there are effective ways of protecting against them.
Electrostatic discharges often occur without anyone noticing, but they impact the entire production process. They are caused by friction, and by materials coming into contact with each other and then separating, for example. Ultimately, an electrostatic discharge is an uncontrolled equalisation of electrical charges between two objects that are charged differently. The risk is that these discharges can damage sensitive electronic components without anyone noticing.
Humans can only feel discharges of this kind at 3500 Volts (V) or higher, yet just 100 V is enough to wipe data from a magnetic data storage device or destroy an EPROM electronic memory cell. The ESD damage that is caused usually only comes to light later on, when the customer is using the product. Without consistent ESD safety measures, there is a risk of product faults, supply chain disruption and increased costs. There are three factors that play a special role in effective ESD protection:
The free guide “ESD safety in intralogistics” from item Industrietechnik introduces you to the most important ESD safety measures along the entire process chain. To help you get to grips with the theory, the guide focuses on a practical example, following an ABS control unit on its way through intralogistics. This control unit is a safety-relevant component for a vehicle’s anti-lock braking system (ABS), which stops the wheels from locking during harsh braking. If ESD safety has been inadequate during production, the ABS could fail, potentially resulting in a catastrophic accident. You can follow this electronic component on its journey from incoming goods to goods issue, seeing which measures are required at each stop along the way.
You can also learn about innovative ESD safety products. One highlight is the ESD-safe conveyor belts from item. Due to their material properties, conventional conveyor belts rapidly build up static charges. This can result in electronic components becoming damaged or even being destroyed in the production workshop. The item Conveyor Belt System reduces this risk by using ESD-safe flat conveyor belts and timing belts. These can be utilised both as a worksurface for the further processing of electronic components and for transport.
In addition to the belt conveyor with ESD-safe Flat Conveyor Belt PUR, a timing belt conveyor with Timing Belt T5 PA ESD is also available. Neither product accumulates a charge, even when subjected to friction. Their ESD safety is tested and certified to DIN EN 61340 for you. Combined with item roller conveyors, all-round ESD-safe transport is ensured. AGVs also offer an ideal solution for transport logistics in ESD-sensitive environments, but the castors they run on and any superstructure or transport crates on top of them must be ESD-safe.
It’s also a good idea to familiarise yourself with the concept of Electrostatic Protected Areas (EPAs). Electronic components can only be handled and assembled safely in an EPA, where all materials used need to be electrostatically dissipative and earthed to the same potential. There is a special white paper in the ESD Media Centre dedicated exclusively to EPAs. There is also a success story that shows how an ESD safety concept can be put into practice.
Find out more now:
Get your copy of the guide
Go to the ESD Media Centre
Electrostatic discharges often occur without anyone noticing, but they impact the entire production process. They are caused by friction, and by materials coming into contact with each other and then separating, for example. Ultimately, an electrostatic discharge is an uncontrolled equalisation of electrical charges between two objects that are charged differently. The risk is that these discharges can damage sensitive electronic components without anyone noticing.
Humans can only feel discharges of this kind at 3500 Volts (V) or higher, yet just 100 V is enough to wipe data from a magnetic data storage device or destroy an EPROM electronic memory cell. The ESD damage that is caused usually only comes to light later on, when the customer is using the product. Without consistent ESD safety measures, there is a risk of product faults, supply chain disruption and increased costs. There are three factors that play a special role in effective ESD protection:
- The transportation of electronic components
- ESD-safe packaging
- Working practices
The free guide “ESD safety in intralogistics” from item Industrietechnik introduces you to the most important ESD safety measures along the entire process chain. To help you get to grips with the theory, the guide focuses on a practical example, following an ABS control unit on its way through intralogistics. This control unit is a safety-relevant component for a vehicle’s anti-lock braking system (ABS), which stops the wheels from locking during harsh braking. If ESD safety has been inadequate during production, the ABS could fail, potentially resulting in a catastrophic accident. You can follow this electronic component on its journey from incoming goods to goods issue, seeing which measures are required at each stop along the way.
You can also learn about innovative ESD safety products. One highlight is the ESD-safe conveyor belts from item. Due to their material properties, conventional conveyor belts rapidly build up static charges. This can result in electronic components becoming damaged or even being destroyed in the production workshop. The item Conveyor Belt System reduces this risk by using ESD-safe flat conveyor belts and timing belts. These can be utilised both as a worksurface for the further processing of electronic components and for transport.
In addition to the belt conveyor with ESD-safe Flat Conveyor Belt PUR, a timing belt conveyor with Timing Belt T5 PA ESD is also available. Neither product accumulates a charge, even when subjected to friction. Their ESD safety is tested and certified to DIN EN 61340 for you. Combined with item roller conveyors, all-round ESD-safe transport is ensured. AGVs also offer an ideal solution for transport logistics in ESD-sensitive environments, but the castors they run on and any superstructure or transport crates on top of them must be ESD-safe.
Comprehensive ESD safety in theory and practice
In addition to the “ESD safety in intralogistics” guide, the item ESD Media Centre offers four other PDFs as free downloads. Would you like to get to grips with the basics of ESD safety first? Then the two white papers “ESD safety – the basics” and “10 golden rules of ESD safety” are exactly what you’re looking for. Learn step by step how ESD safety concepts work.It’s also a good idea to familiarise yourself with the concept of Electrostatic Protected Areas (EPAs). Electronic components can only be handled and assembled safely in an EPA, where all materials used need to be electrostatically dissipative and earthed to the same potential. There is a special white paper in the ESD Media Centre dedicated exclusively to EPAs. There is also a success story that shows how an ESD safety concept can be put into practice.
Find out more now:
Get your copy of the guide
Go to the ESD Media Centre
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