Electrostatic discharge (ESD) – dangerous for people and electronics

In this article, you will find out to what extent electrostatic discharge – also known as ESD – is dangerous for people and electronics. We also explain how you can try to prevent electrostatic discharges and possible ESD protection measures, and give examples of electrostatic discharges.

ESD meaning

In answer to the question “What is ESD?”, i.e. the meaning of ESD, it must first be said that ESD is an abbreviation that stands for “electrostatic discharge”.

Electrostatic discharges are dangerous for people and electronics for various reasons. First of all, it must be noted that an electrostatic discharge is possible without contact between the respective objects and/or people. Electrostatic discharge can therefore also occur over a certain distance. In addition, electrostatic discharges often occur unnoticed, which makes them even more dangerous. And it is not only people who can discharge, but also objects that have previously become electrostatically charged, including tools, trolleys and work surfaces.

Another problem: ESD damage to electronic components is sometimes difficult to detect – usually only with an electron microscope. The damage caused by electrostatic discharges therefore sometimes only becomes noticeable when the end customer uses the respective devices/systems, which greatly increases the costs of repairing the damage, also because the damaged or destroyed components are already installed.

Please also read our ESD overview article: “ESD – Electrostatic discharge“

Electrostatic discharge examples

A distinction is made between electrostatic discharges:

• Spark discharge
• Peak discharge
• Tuft discharge
• Corona discharge
• Sliding brush discharge
• Bulk cone discharge
• Lightning discharge
• Lightning discharge

There are several examples of electrostatic discharge in everyday life. Below we list some examples of electrostatic discharge:

• Discharge after walking over carpet on door handle or when shaking hands
• Discharge when taking off a charged sweater – audible in the form of a crackling sound
• Discharge after rubbing a woolen cloth against a balloon
• Discharge by lightning after charging of water particles in clouds by winds

Human electrostatic discharge

Not all electrostatic discharges are dangerous for all people. However, certain people, such as those with pacemakers and hypersensitive people, are already at risk from electrostatic discharges with a very low charge potential. There are also discharges, such as spark discharges or brush discharges, which can lead to a person being shocked.

Strong charges can also lead to cardiovascular failure. Furthermore, electrostatic discharges in humans are often trivialized. However, accidents involving electrostatic discharge can cause nausea, pain (e.g. headaches) and numbness, even at lower charge potentials; to avoid consequential damage, these symptoms should be clarified by a medical examination. Damage to skin tissue and nerve cells can also occur.

However, electrostatic discharges can also pose a danger to people and property if the person in question is startled by the discharge and causes an accident, for example, and injures themselves, others or something else.

Electrostatic discharges are also dangerous for people if they work with flammable gases, flammable liquids or flammable debris. When these gases, liquids or debris are discharged, for example, they can be ignited by a spark, which can result in an explosion and/or fire.

In addition to their danger, electrostatic discharges can also be differentiated according to their perception, whereby the respective perception depends on the voltage level:

• Noticeable from 3,000 volts (e.g. on door handle)
• audible from 5,000 volts (approximately a crackling sound)
• Visible from 10,000 volts (lightning)

Electrostatic discharge electronics

Many electronic components are considered ESD-sensitive, which means that electrostatic discharges can disrupt the function of these components or lead to damage or even destruction.

Damage caused by ESD is also dangerous because it results in the manufacturer and/or supplier losing customer confidence and incurring warranty costs in the event of complaints.

Just 5 volts is enough to damage the read head of a magnetic hard disk during production. At 100 volts, information stored on a magnetic data carrier is erased. An electronic memory module is even destroyed after a discharge of 100 volts.

ESD protection

There are various measures that can be taken to protect against certain uncontrolled electrostatic discharges. For example, you can try to avoid electrostatic charges . Because where there is no charge, there is no discharge. So to try to prevent electrostatic charging, you can take measures such as dissipation and earthing. The use of antistatic materials can also be tried here.

Another ESD protection measure is the attempt to prevent an uncontrolled electrostatic discharge. Such an uncontrolled discharge can be prevented by slowly letting the charge flow away with the help of large electrical resistors.

There is also so-called air ionization, in which ionizing bars are used to neutralize electrical charges by generating a countercharge.

ESD protection measures can also be distinguished as follows:

You may also be interested in: “50 years of ESD – the history of electrostatic discharge control“

Advice on ESD products

When it comes to ESD protection, you should definitely seek advice if you do not have sufficient expertise of your own.

If you require further information on ESD products or need assistance in selecting the right ESD products for your application, we will be happy to help you.

The easiest way to contact the ESD experts at abovo is to call +41 32 552 44 44 or send an e-mail with your request to info@abovo.ch. Abovo is a Swiss specialist wholesaler and online store for cleanroom and ESD requirements with many years of experience.

Products from abovo in this article

ESD Rollwagen mit Stahlrohrgriff

ESD Arbeitstisch

ESD Drehhocker