ESD Information
⚡ Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is a Critical Concern
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is a very serious issue in solid state electronics. Static electricity can damage sensitive electronics within equipment causing hardware failures and downtime. The way to eliminate this issue when working in and around electronic equipment is to make sure you are using certified ESD-safe products
Identifying ESD-Safe Products
Throughout this site, you are able to easily identify the products that are ESD-safe by the bright yellow logo and the image in the product description. These images are as follows:
ESD Defined
An ESD event occurs when an electrostatic charge rapidly transfers between two objects. This transfer is usually caused when two objects with a notable potential difference in electrical charge contact each other. However, ESD events can also happen when two objects close to one another create a highly charged electrostatic field
Before the actual discharge event, the electrostatic charge builds due to an electron imbalance on the surface of the material. This charge can be created in a number of ways, including shoes scuffing against a particular surface, or certain materials rubbing against each other. This accumulation of electrical charge causes one surface to gain electrons (negative charge) and the other to lose electrons (positive charge). The ESD event brings the electrical charge back into balance by transferring electrons via current
Why is it an Important Issue?
Electrostatic discharge appears in many forms. From lightning bolts to a near-invisible spark when touching a piece of metal, there is no single way to encapsulate all of the different forms of ESD. In many cases, ESD can be felt in the form of a mild shock, usually more irritating than painful. However, when it comes to the world of electronics and manufacturing, this little shock can prove costly
The Dangers of ESD
⚠️ Critical Risks
The human body is very susceptible to the build-up of electrostatic charge. Many factors can contribute to this, from the atmosphere's humidity to the type of shoes a person wears. These small charges will not harm a person, but electrical components can be seriously damaged by a single ESD event
⚡ Sensitive components can be damaged by a discharge of just 20 volts
Less sensitive components may still be susceptible, and cumulative discharges can create long-term problems affecting the functionality and performance of electronic components
ESD safety precautions are extremely important in the electronics and semiconductor industries. The advancement of integrated circuit and semiconductor technology comes with an increased ESD risk. As circuits become smaller and faster, the overall sensitivity to ESD typically increases, depending on the materials used
Basics of ESD Safety
Electrostatic discharge is an important concern when handling modern electronic circuits. Irreversible damage is possible if the proper precautions are not observed
ESD safety begins with proper equipment. Essential ESD safety items include:
✓ Certified ESD-Safe Products
These products allow a safe pathway for static electricity to travel, preventing damage to sensitive components
✓ Personal Grounding Wrist Straps
Adjustable wrist straps use a standard resistor connected to a retractable cable that attaches to a grounding point, usually via crocodile clips
✓ Anti-Static Floor Mat or Ground Mat
These have a conductive material embedded within the mat that collects the static. The mat needs to be grounded (earthed), usually by plugging into the grounded line in an electrical outlet. A resistor should be used in earthing the mat to allow high-voltage charges to leak through to earth while preventing shock hazard when working with low-voltage parts. Some ground mats allow you to connect an antistatic wrist strap to them
✓ ESD-Safe Jackets
ESD-safe jackets are usually manufactured with carbon fibres woven into the material, resulting in a Faraday-cage effect between the operator and hardware to reduce the likelihood of ESD events
Atrix ESD-Safe Products
Atrix International offers a comprehensive range of ESD-safe vacuum systems specifically designed for electronics manufacturing, cleanroom environments, and IT service applications
Our ESD-Safe Vacuum Range Includes:
- ESD-safe cleanroom vacuums for semiconductor manufacturing
- Portable vacuums for IT service engineers
- Static-dissipative hoses and accessories
- ESD-safe filters and collection systems
- All products tested and certified to ESD standards
ESD Safety Video
There is a video on YouTube that details information on ESD safety which might be of interest if you are looking at this page
FREE Delivery on All ESD-Safe Vacuums
All vacuum purchases include FREE UK mainland delivery. Orders over £200 for ESD accessories and supplies also qualify for FREE delivery
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