ESD gloves for the cleanroom – selection guide
ESD protection is also important in cleanrooms, although the choice of the right ESD gloves for the cleanroom must be based on the specific application.
In the following article, we explain why ESD protection is important in cleanrooms and provide a selection guide to help you find the right ESD gloves for your cleanroom and specific application.
Overview
Why is ESD protection also important in cleanrooms?
ESD protection is also important in cleanrooms due to the possibility of electrostatic charges and uncontrolled electrostatic discharges.
Uncontrolled electrostatic discharges, on the other hand, must be prevented for various reasons. This is because electrostatic discharges can damage or even destroy electrostatically sensitive devices, cause flammable substances to burn or explode and pose a risk to people’s health and lives.
Electrostatic discharges can also become a problem in cleanrooms for the reasons mentioned, for example if electrostatically sensitive devices are used or manufactured there or if flammable substances are handled.
On the other hand, electrostatic charges can also become a problem in cleanrooms, as people, objects and products that are charged in this way can attract particles and become contaminated by them. It can also happen that certain materials stick together unintentionally due to the attractive forces of the charge.
Please also read our article “Dangers of ESD in cleanrooms and possible solutions“.
ESD gloves in cleanrooms should therefore fulfill two functions: Firstly, they should charge themselves as little as possible, i.e. limit their own static electricity from the glove itself. Secondly, ESD gloves in the cleanroom should dissipate static electricity that they themselves generate or come into contact with via the glove base, which is only possible if the glove base is earthed.
Selection guide for ESD gloves in cleanrooms
Cleanrooms are required for a wide variety of applications. You can use the following selection guide to find the right ESD gloves for your cleanroom application, although the selection criteria listed are not exhaustive.
Meet cleanroom class requirements
As the desired ESD glove is intended for a cleanroom, it must meet the requirements of the respective cleanroom class, i.e. be suitable for cleanroom class ISO 4-9, GMP C-D, for example, if this applies in the cleanroom. The glove may even have to be sterile.
Correct material
Based on the ANSI/ESD S541 standard, it is recommended for most cleanroom applications that cleanroom gloves should be dissipative, with a surface resistance of <10^11 Ohm.
Consider the sensitivity of the devices in the cleanroom
If ESD-sensitive devices need to be protected in the cleanroom, you should clarify how sensitive they are. For very sensitive ESD-sensitive devices, an even lower resistance level of the ESD gloves is recommended, namely 10^9 Ohm.
Pay attention to the specified standards
If manufacturers or sellers claim that their cleanroom gloves are ESD-compliant and refer to certain norms or standards, you should take a close look at the stated norms. This is because different standards are cited in connection with the ESD conformity of ESD cleanroom gloves, of which at most one can be used as a product standard, but only in relation to ESD protective gloves for potentially explosive atmospheres, namely standard EN 16350:2014.
The EN 16350:2014 standard is a product standard because it specifies a concrete limit value for ESD protective gloves in potentially explosive atmospheres. The vertical resistance must be less than 100 megohms (Rv < 1 × 10^8 Ω).
However, when the standard EN 1149-5:2019 is mentioned in connection with ESD cleanroom gloves, for example, which regulates the “Performance requirements for dissipative protective clothing”, this is not a standard that applies to ESD gloves in cleanrooms, as this standard explicitly excludes gloves.
The ANSI/ESD STM15.1 standard is also mentioned in connection with ESD gloves in cleanrooms, but this is not a product standard, but merely a description of test methods for measuring the inherent resistance of gloves and finger cots.
Interaction with other ESD equipment
ESD gloves alone are not sufficient to dissipate electrostatic charges. Rather, the person wearing the gloves must have taken further ESD protective measures, in particular be earthed themselves via earthed ESD wristbands, other ESD clothing, ESD shoes and earthed ESD floors.
Cleanliness influences discharge capacity
It should also be noted that the cleanliness of the ESD gloves influences the discharge capacity. The cleaner an ESD glove is – particularly in terms of its ion content – the lower its ability to dissipate electrostatic charges.
Consider humidity and temperature conditions
As the humidity and temperature conditions in the cleanroom affect the ESD performance of the ESD cleanroom gloves, it should be clarified exactly what humidity and temperature conditions prevail in the cleanroom in which the gloves are to be used. It should then be clarified with the manufacturer or seller of the gloves whether the gloves are designed for these conditions. In the event that the manufacturer or seller refers to a test, it should be clarified under which humidity and temperature conditions the ESD gloves were tested.
Carry out your own tests
As every cleanroom is different and the conditions for ESD protection are different, you should carry out your own ESD test measurements on site in the cleanroom with the ESD gloves you are considering for the cleanroom and test the planned application before deciding on the regular use of ESD cleanroom gloves.
Checklist for selecting ESD gloves in the cleanroom
Below we have summarized the above points for the selection of ESD gloves in the cleanroom in a checklist (not exhaustive):
- Meet cleanroom class requirements
- Correct material
- Consider the sensitivity of the devices in the cleanroom
- Pay attention to the specified standards
- Interaction with other ESD equipment
- Cleanliness influences discharge capacity
- Consider humidity and temperature conditions
- Carry out your own tests
Please also read our article “Which consumables are suitable for both cleanroom and ESD areas?“.
Advice on choosing the right ESD cleanroom gloves
In view of the many factors that play a role in selecting the right ESD cleanroom gloves for a particular application, it is best to seek advice from specialists such as the cleanroom and ESD experts at cleanroom and ESD specialist wholesaler abovo.
The best way to contact the cleanroom and ESD experts at abovo is by telephone or e-mail:
- Telephone : +41 32 552 44 44
- E-mail: info@abovo.ch
If you contact us by e-mail, we will reply as quickly as possible.