Glossary

The title of the standard ANSI/ESD S20.20-2014 is: "Protection of Electrical and Electronic Parts, Assemblies and Equipment (Excluding Electrically Initiated Explosive Devices)". The English title is: "Protection of Electrical and Electronic Parts, Assemblies and Equipment (Excluding Electrically Initiated Explosive Devices)".

The content of this standard describes the requirements for an ESD control program for the protection of electrical and electronic parts, assemblies and devices.

An antistatic substance is characterized by the fact that it prevents, weakens or eliminates electrostatic charges. Such substances are also known as antistatic agents.

The AQL value (Acceptance Quality Level) is a quality standard. The sample size - the number of items to be tested in relation to the batch - is determined on the basis of the batch size (total print run) and the test level. The random sample is taken from the lot according to a defined procedure and tested according to a defined standard.

For gloves, the AQL value (quality level) indicates the proportion of defective gloves within a defined batch. According to the standard, disposable medical gloves must have an AQL of at least 1.5. As standard, gloves have an AQL of 0.65 or 1.5. The AQL value is specified in the data sheet and on the packaging.

BFE stands for Bacterial Filtration Efficiency, which means bacterial filtration efficiency or bacterial filter performance. The DIN EN 14683 and ASTM F2101 standards apply to the measurement of this filter performance of face masks. The so-called BFE value is calculated as the percentage of germs that are retained, whereby measurements in which no protective material was used serve as a benchmark.

CE stands for Conformité Européenne, which means European Conformity. By affixing the CE marking to their product, manufacturers declare that it complies with the legal requirements in the European Union, for example that it does not pose a risk to health. Without the CE marking, manufacturers are not allowed to market their products in the European Union. In Switzerland, the CE marking is not required, but can be used as an alternative to the Swiss conformity mark in certain areas.

Specifically, the relevant EU Regulation 765/2008 on the definition of "CE marking" states: "marking by which the manufacturer declares that the product is in conformity with the applicable requirements set out in Community harmonization legislation providing for its affixing;"

Pulp is a fibrous mass that is produced during the so-called pulping of plant fibers. The main component of cellulose is cellulose.

The Charged Device Model (CDM) describes the sudden discharge of a charged component.

A cleanroom is a room in which special measures are taken to keep the number of airborne particles to a minimum.

Cleanrooms or certain areas within them are divided into different cleanroom classes, whereby the cleanroom classes differ according to the permissible particle concentration, in some cases depending on the particle size. There are cleanroom classes GMP A-D and cleanroom classes ISO 1-9, among others. Cleanroom products usually state which cleanroom class they are suitable for.

Cleanroom swabs, also known as cleanroom swabs, cleanroom swabs or cleanroom swabs, can be used for spot cleaning in crevices, corners or holes thanks to the narrow swab head, which is located at the end of a handle.

Conductive materials are very suitable for conducting electricity. The resistance is low. Packaging that is conductive is usually labeled ESD-C.

A connection point is attached to a wall, for example, and is earthed via an earthing cable. A wrist earthing strap or a table mat can then be connected to this connection point, which has a push button for example, and earthed in this way.

Contamination in the cleanroom means, among other things, contamination with biological, chemical, ionic, physical or radiological substances.

Contamination level refers to the intensity of the contamination.

A DIN standard is a voluntary standard in the development of which interested parties can participate. The German Institute for Standardization organizes the development of DIN standards.

DIN-EN means that a European standard (EN) was originally a German standard.

Dissipative stands for dissipative (see there).

If a material is dissipative, or rather electrostatically dissipative, then it is able to dissipate electrical charges, albeit more slowly than conductive materials, as the contact resistance of the latter is lower. Conductive packaging is marked with the abbreviation ESD-D, where D stands for "dissipative".

Dust control mats are usually placed in front of a cleanroom or cleanroom area so that particles on the soles of shoes and rollers of cleanroom trolleys adhere to the sticky surface of the mat.

In earthing, electrical currents are discharged into the ground. Earthing can be divided into the following subgroups according to its protective purpose: lightning protection earthing, functional earthing and protective earthing, which also includes personal earthing.

In personal earthing, for example, an ESD heel strap, ESD shoes or an ESD wristband are used to dissipate a person's electrical charge in a controlled manner.

Elastomers are plastics that are elastic but retain their shape, i.e. they return to their original form after elastic deformation.

Electronic assemblies include printed circuit boards on which several components have been installed. These assembled printed circuit boards are also called flat assemblies.

The term electrostatic is used to describe situations in the field of electrostatics that involve static electrical charges.

An electrostatic charge is created, for example, when certain materials rub against each other. Electrostatic charges can also be caused by induction, i.e. the displacement of electrical charges.

In an electrostatic discharge, an electrostatic charge is transferred from one object to another or from one material to another due to a difference in electrical potential.

see "electrostatically sensitive component"

Electrostatic sensitive devices (ESD) - also known as ESD-sensitive components, ESD-sensitive components or electrostatic sensitive components - are components that can be damaged or even destroyed by electrostatic discharges. The abbreviation for "electrostatically sensitive device" is ESDS, which is derived from the English term "electrostatic discharge sensitive devices".

EN stands for European standard.

The abbreviation EPA stands for the English term "ESD protected area", which translates to ESD-protected area, ESD protection area (see there) or ESD protection zone.

ESD stands for "electrostatic discharge".

The ESD assistant ensures that the ESD protection rules are adhered to and that the company-specific ESD control program is implemented. Among other things, the ESD assistant also carries out verification measurements.

ESD clothing - also known as ESD clothing - is clothing made from a material that is suitable for use in ESD protected areas.

The term ESD control element refers to materials or substances that can prevent or dissipate electrostatic charges to protect ESDS.

DIN EN 61340-5-1 regulates, among other things, the creation of an ESD control program, which deals with ESD measures for the protection of ESDS in the respective organization or company.

The ESD protection measures of the ESD control program are documented in an ESD control program plan.

An ESD coordinator in accordance with DIN EN 61340-5-1 is responsible for ESD protection, including the introduction of ESD protection measures, the testing of ESD materials and compliance with ESD regulations.

ESD discharge models are used to describe the way in which electrostatic discharges occur. A distinction is made between the Human Body Model (HBM), the Machine Model (MM), the Charged Device Model (CDM) and the Field Induced Model (FIM).

The ESD officers act as an interface between the ESD assistant and the ESD coordinator. Among other things, the ESD officers are responsible for carrying out the annual briefings.

The term ESD manual is sometimes equated with the ESD control program created, i.e. the ESD control program plan.

The ESD protection area - also known as the ESD protection zone - is an area for which ESD protection measures are taken to prevent damage from electrostatic discharges.

ESD protective packaging is an electrostatically protective material that encases and thus protects ESD-sensitive products. Outside of EPA areas, i.e. outside of ESD-protected areas, a material should be used that provides shielding against discharges. Inside EPA areas, it may be sufficient for the packaging material to be dissipative with regard to static electricity.

The term ESD officer is used synonymously with the term ESD coordinator (see there).

ESD safety shoes are safety shoes - for example with a steel toe cap for toe protection and nail penetration protection - that also offer ESD protection, i.e. dissipate electrical charges from the wearer's body in a controlled manner via the sole of the shoe. Like ESD shoes in general, these shoes can also be recognized by the yellow ESD symbol.

ESD shoes dissipate electrostatic charges from the shoe wearer in a controlled manner via the sole of the shoe. ESD shoes can be recognized by the yellow ESD symbol on them. Every ESD shoe also has antistatic properties, but not every shoe with antistatic properties is also an ESD shoe.

ESD-suitable materials are those that either cannot build up an electrical potential or are able to dissipate electrostatic charges.

An ESD transport trolley is a transport trolley that is conductive. Another name for these trolleys is ESD trolleys.

In the ESD-C packaging category, the C stands for "conductive" (see there).

In the ESD-D packaging category, the D stands for "dissipative", which means dissipative (see there).

The abbreviation for the ESD-F packaging category stands for "electrostatic field shielding".

The packaging category ESD-S stands for "shielding", which means shielding against electrostatic discharge.

ESDS is the abbreviation for "electrostatic discharge sensitive devices" (see "electrostatic sensitive device").

The face mask - also known as a mouth-nose cover (MNS), surgical mask or medical face mask - is a mask that is primarily intended to protect other people from the germs of the person wearing the mask.

FFP stands for the English term "filtering face piece". FFP masks, also known as respirators, are available with three different filtration ratings: FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3. FFP1 masks may have a maximum total leakage of 25 %, FFP2 masks may have a maximum total leakage of 11 % and FFP3 masks may have a maximum total leakage of only 5 %.

The Field Induced Model (FIM) describes the electrostatic charging of a component due to the external effect of an electric field. If the component comes into contact with an earthed object, this leads to a very rapid discharge.

Finger cots are covers, for example made of latex or nitrile, which only cover the fingers

Functional earthing (FE) - also known as functional earth - is used to ensure the electromagnetic compatibility of appliances and their trouble-free operation, while protective earthing (PE) - also known as protective earth - is intended to protect people from electric shock. PE stands for "protective earthing".

Something is earthed when a connection to the ground is established that is capable of conducting electricity.

A heel strap - also known as a permanent heel strap or ESD shoe discharge strap - is pulled over the back of a shoe, i.e. the heel, to discharge electrostatic charges from the wearer of the heel strap through its contact with the floor covering.

The Human Body Model (HBM) describes the discharge of an electrostatically charged person when touching a component.

IEC is the abbreviation for the international standards organization "International Electrotechnical Commission". The abbreviation IEC is also used in standard designations of this organization.

The standard IEC 61340-4-1:2003 + A1:2015 (DIN EN 61340-4-1) is part 4-1 of the international series of standards "Electrostatic" with the designation IEC 61340. The German version has the designation "EN 61340-4-1:2004 + A1:2015".

The title of Part 4-1 of the IEC 61340 series of standards is: "Standard test methods for special applications - Electrical resistance of floor coverings and installed flooring".

Part 4-1 of the IEC 61340 series of standards contains the specification of test methods relating to the electrical resistance of floor coverings and installed flooring.

The standard IEC 61340-4-3:2017 (DIN EN IEC 61340-4-3) is part 4-3 of the international series of standards "Electrostatic" with the designation IEC 61340. The German version has the designation "EN IEC 61340-4-3:2018".

The title of Part 4-3 of the IEC 61340 series of standards is: "Standard test methods for special applications - Footwear".

Part 4-3 of the IEC 61340 series of standards specifies a test method for determining the electrical resistance of footwear intended for ESD protection.

The standard IEC 61340-4-5:2018 (DIN EN IEC 61340-4-5) is part 4-5 of the international series of standards "Electrostatic" with the designation IEC 61340. The German version has the designation "EN IEC 61340-4-5:2018".

The title of Part 4-5 of the IEC 61340 series of standards is: "Standard test methods for special applications - Methods for characterizing the electrostatic protective effect of footwear and flooring in combination with a person".

Part 4-5 of the IEC 61340 series of standards contains specifications relating to test methods for evaluating the effect of the electrostatic protection of a footwear/floor system combined with a person.

The standard IEC 61340-5-1:2016 (DIN EN 61340-5-1) is part 5-1 of the international series of standards "Electrostatic" with the designation IEC 61340. The German version has the designation "EN 61340-5-1:2016".

The title of Part 5-1 of the IEC 61340 series of standards is: "Protection of electronic components against electrostatic phenomena - General requirements".

Part 5-1 of the IEC 61340 series of standards deals, among other things, with the requirements that an ESD control program must meet in order to protect electrostatically sensitive objects.

The standard IEC 61340-5-3:2015 (DIN EN 61340-5-3) is part 5-3 of the international series of standards "Electrostatic" with the designation IEC 61340.

The title of Part 5-3 of the IEC 61340 series of standards is: "Protection of electronic components against electrostatic phenomena - Characteristics and requirements for the classification of packaging used for components sensitive to electrostatic discharge".

Part 5-3 of the IEC 61340 series of standards regulates the properties that packaging intended to protect ESD-sensitive components (ESDS) must have. The standard also contains references to methods that can be used to test the ESD capability of packaging and packaging materials.

The standard IEC/TR 61340-5-2:2018 (DIN IEC/TR 61340-5-2) is part 5-2 of the international series of standards "Electrostatic" with the designation IEC 61340.

The title of Part 5-2 of the IEC 61340 series of standards is: "Protection of electronic components against electrostatic phenomena - User's guide".

The content of Part 5-2 of the IEC 61340 series of standards is a manual intended for use by persons and organizations responsible for the control of electrostatic discharges. The manual supports these persons and organizations in the development, introduction and monitoring of ESD control programs designed in accordance with IEC 61340-5-1.

The standard IEC/TR 61340-5-4:2019 is part 5-4 of the international series of standards "Electrostatic" with the designation IEC 61340.

The title of Part 5-4 of the IEC 61340 series of standards is: "Protection of electronic components against electrostatic phenomena - Verification of conformity".

This part of the IEC 61340 series of standards describes conformity tests (compliance tests). It deals with tests that are part of ESD control plans.

A substance or material is said to be insulating if it has a high volume resistance and is neither conductive nor dissipative.

An insulator is a substance or material that conducts electricity poorly or not at all.

An ionizer can be used to partially ionize air. The ionized air can be used to discharge materials, which is a particularly good alternative to discharging non-earthed or non-conductive objects.

ISO is the abbreviation for "International Organization for Standardization", which is based in Geneva. In the context of standards, the abbreviation ISO indicates that it is an international standard.

With laminated safety glass (LSG), several layers of single-pane safety glass panes are joined together. There is a tear-resistant film between the layers. If the pane breaks, the resulting glass cubes are held together by the film.

Latex is a milky sap that is formed in the plant body of rubber plants, among other things. Natural rubber is a component of latex and is rubbery, making it elastic, liquid-repellent, tear-resistant and abrasion-resistant, among other things.

The Machine Model (MM) describes the rapid discharge of a charged machine that comes into contact with a component.

Microfiber (also known as microfibre) is a chemical fiber whose fineness is less than 1 dtex. The measure decitex (dtex) is defined in such a way that one dtex corresponds to a 10000 meter long thread weighing one gram. Microfiber is usually made from polyester, polyamide, acrylic or cellulose.

Neoprene is also known as chloroprene rubber, polychloroprene or chlorobutadiene rubber and is a synthetic rubber. It is known for its excellent thermal insulation, which is why neoprene is used in diving suits, for example. The material is also water-repellent, very stable and elastic.

Nitriles are a group of different chemical compounds. Nitrile polymers are rubbery. Nitrile rubber is used to make nitrile gloves, for example, which are characterized by their high resistance to fats and oils, but are also abrasion-resistant, puncture-resistant and liquid-repellent, while still offering good tactile sensitivity. Nitrile gloves can also be used as an alternative for people who are allergic to latex and therefore cannot use latex gloves.

Nylon is the trade name for a synthetically produced fiber consisting of polyamide.

According to guideline VDI 2083 of the Association of German Engineers, the particle size is the maximum geometric size of the particle. However, there are other guidelines that determine the size of a particle, such as the equivalent diameter.

PFE is the abbreviation for Particle Filtration Efficiency.

Polyamides are synthetically produced thermoplastics that are characterized by their high strength, toughness and rigidity. They also have good chemical resistance.

Polycarbonates are synthetically produced thermoplastics that are characterized by high strength, rigidity, impact resistance and hardness. They are also resistant to many fats, oils, water and mineral acids, among other things.

Polychloroprene is another name for the synthetic rubber neoprene.

Polyester does occur in nature. However, this term usually refers to synthetically produced plastics. Polyester is characterized by its high strength even when wet (wet strength) and its durability.

Polyethylene is a synthetically produced thermoplastic. It is the most widely used plastic in the world, which in the form of PE-HD (high-density polyethylene, HDPE) - high-density polyethylene - has good resistance to acids and alkalis. HDPE also has good resistance to water, grease and oils and has high tensile and tear strength. There are also PE-MD (medium-density polyethylene), PE-LD (low-density polyethylene), PE-LLD (linear-low-density polyethylene), PE-UHMW (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene) and PE-X (cross-linked polyethylene).

Polypropylene (PP) is a synthetically produced plastic with similar properties to polyethylene. However, polypropylene is more heat-resistant and harder. The plastic is used as a standard material for the manufacture of basic protective clothing. Polypropylene is skin-friendly and water-repellent. The material is resistant to almost all organic solvents and to some extent to non-oxidizing acids, alkalis, fats and oils. PP is not resistant to oxidizing agents.

Polyurethane (short: PUR or PU) is a synthetically produced plastic that is characterized by its elasticity in certain manufacturing forms. PU is not only used as a fiber, but also as a resin, varnish or adhesive, among other things.

In contrast to earthing, where electrical currents are discharged into the ground, equipotential bonding eliminates voltages, i.e. potential differences, between two parts. This is done by creating a good conductive connection between two parts with different potentials. The aim is to achieve potential equality. As with earthing, equipotential bonding can also be divided into subgroups according to the respective protective purpose: Protective equipotential bonding, functional equipotential bonding and lightning equipotential bonding.

In contrast to functional earthing, protective earthing is used to protect living beings, i.e. to protect people and animals from electric shock. The abbreviation for protective earthing is PE, which stands for "protective earthing" or, in the case of protective earth, for "protective earth".

When something is described as shielding in the ESD field, this usually refers to shielding against electrostatic discharges or electrostatic fields.

Stainless steel is the most commonly used metallic material in cleanrooms. There are many different types of stainless steel. They are characterized by their particular degree of purity. There are rusting and stainless stainless steels. The so-called austenitic stainless steel with the material number 1.4301 is used in cleanrooms. This is a Cr-Ni steel consisting mainly of iron alloyed with chromium and nickel. It is characterized by its good corrosion resistance. It is also conditionally acid-resistant.

Sterile comes from the Latin word sterilis, which means infertile. In the cleanroom sector , sterile means that something is germ-free.

There are various sterilization methods, including ethylene oxide sterilization, autoclaving and gamma sterilization.

Ethylene oxide sterilization
Ethylene oxide is a colourless and highly flammable gas. The treatment of medical items with ethylene oxide is one of the most common sterilizations in the medical field.

Autoclaving
An autoclave is a pressurized container that can be sealed gas-tight in order to thermally treat substances in the overpressure range.

According to the Ordinance on the Prevention of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in Surgical and Medical Procedures (CJKV), surgical instruments in Switzerland must be autoclaved at 134 °C for 18 minutes.

Gamma sterilization
Gamma sterilization works with the help of gamma rays. This is an electromagnetic radiation that is particularly penetrating.

With a surface-conductive material, electricity can be dissipated at the surface. In some cases, surface conductivity is achieved through a surface coating. Instead of surface conductivity, it is also referred to as surface conductivity.

Surface contaminations are punctual contaminations on surfaces caused by particles or surface contaminations caused by liquids, for example.

Thermoplastics are plastics that can be molded at certain temperatures.

Thermosets are plastics that can no longer be shaped after hardening, even when heated.

A toe strap - also known as an ESD permanent toe strap - is pulled over the shoe in such a way that contact with the floor is established at the point underneath the toes. ESD toe straps are used in particular for women's heeled shoes (pumps) to dissipate the electrostatic charge that exists on the wearer through the contact between the toe strap and the floor covering and the connection between the strap and the wearer.

Toughened safety glass (TSG) is a so-called tempered glass that has increased impact and shock resistance. In the event of glass breakage, the toughened safety glass disintegrates into small cubes. This is intended to reduce the risk of cuts in particular. As glass can be produced with very smooth surfaces, impurities are generally easy to remove.

TR stands for the English term "technical report".

Tyvek® is a nonwoven fabric registered as a trademark by the company DuPont. The fabric is made of PE-HD, i.e. high-density polyethylene. Tyvek® is hard-wearing and is suitable as a material for protective clothing because, on the one hand, the fabric loses few fibers and, on the other, almost no particles or body cells penetrate the nonwoven.

Something is unearthed if there is no connection to the ground. In this case, no electrical current can be discharged into the earth.

UPA stands for the English term "unprotected area", which in the context of ESD means ESD-unprotected area. In such an area, no measures have been taken for ESD protection.

If cleanrooms are validated, this means that the functionality of the cleanroom is evaluated.

Vinyl, or rather the vinyl group, is an ethene residue. Vinyl is often used as a synonym for PVC (polyvinyl chloride). PVC is produced by polymerizing vinyl chloride. PVC is a synthetic plastic that is latex-free, which means that this plastic can be helpful as an alternative material for people with a latex allergy.

With a volume conductive material, electricity can be dissipated throughout the entire body of the material. Instead of volume conductive, it is also referred to as volume dissipative.

Water qualities for cleanrooms include deionized water, purified water, highly purified water, water for injection purposes and ultrapure water.

Deionized water (DI water)
DI water contains no salts, minerals or ions, such as those found in spring water. However, non-ionic impurities may still be present.

Purified water
Purified water is a higher quality of DI water. The TOC value (Total Organic Carbon) of purified water is lower than that of DI water.

Highly Purified Water
Highly Purified Water has an even higher purity level than Purified Water.

Water for Injection (WFI)
Water for Injection (WFI) is a so-called pure water.

Ultrapure water and ultrapure water
The TOC value for ultrapure water is ≤ 10 ppb. Ultra-pure water is the highest water purity level and has a TOC value of ≤ 5 ppb.