ESD rules of conduct and ESD checklist
Certain rules of conduct must be observed in an ESD protection zone to prevent electrostatic discharge from damaging ESD-sensitive electronic components in particular. You can read about these rules in the following article. We have also created an ESD checklist at the end of the article, which can be used to check compliance with the rules of conduct.
ESD protection zones
ESD stands for “Electro Static Discharge”. Such a discharge occurs when a charge exchange takes place between two objects that have different voltage potentials. The previous charging of one or both objects is caused, for example, by friction on the surface.
An ESD protection zone, also known as an EPA (ESD protected area), is intended to ensure that an electrostatically sensitive component is not damaged by electrostatic discharge. Such an EPA can also simply consist of an ESD workstation with earthing connections for an ESD table mat and an ESD earthing strap.
ESD rules of conduct
To prevent damage to ESD-sensitive components and devices, certain rules of conduct must be observed in ESD protection zones or ESD protection areas.
The following ESD rules of conduct should be observed in ESD protection zones:
- Set up ESD protection zones or ESD protection areas
- Mark ESD protection zones or ESD protection areas
- Grounding employees, managers and visitors
- Daily check of personal earthing measures
- Use ESD furniture
- Do not place ESD-sensitive components on metal
- Ban on insulating shelves in the EPO
- Avoidance of rechargeable materials in the EPA
- Ban on eating and drinking in the ESD protection zone
- Private objects prohibited in the ESD protection zone
- Use ESD-suitable cleaning agents and care products
- Employee training on ESD protection
- Generally use ESD packaging and ESD containers
- Use shielding packaging outside the EPA
- Create ESD control program
- Monitoring the ESD protection concept
- Checking the ESD protective device
- Repair defective ESD devices immediately
- Implement missing ESD protection measures immediately
For a better understanding, individual points from the above list are explained in more detail below:
The earthing of employees, managers and visitors can be achieved with the help of ESD earthing bracelets, ESD shoes and ESD clothing, among other things.
The ESD furniture used must have dissipative work surfaces so that the work surface does not pose a risk in terms of ESD protection.
The conductive surfaces may only be treated with ESD-suitable cleaning agents and care products so that the conductivity of the surfaces is not lost.
ESD-sensitive components should be transported and stored outside the ESD protection zone in shielding packaging.
The personal earthing measures should be checked daily for effectiveness before the respective employee, supervisor or visitor enters the ESD protection zone. A
ESD checklist
The ESD rules of conduct should be checked at clearly defined intervals. The best way to check the ESD rules is to use an ESD checklist. The ESD officer is usually responsible for creating this list and checking the points listed there.
Another term for ESD officer is ESD coordinator. This person is responsible for ESD protection in accordance with DIN EN 61340-5-1. In addition to checking ESD materials and compliance with ESD regulations, the ESD coordinator is also responsible for introducing ESD protection measures.
An ESD checklist for checking rules of conduct in an ESD-protected area should contain the following points for checking:
- Has the ESD protection zone been marked?
- Are ESD-sensitive components labeled?
- Presence of ESD earthing bracelets?
- Are earthing bracelets always worn when seated?
- Does earthing of ESD workstations and ESD equipment work?
- Are all persons wearing ESD clothing and footwear properly?
- Does the verification process for earthing measures work?
- Are all ESD-relevant processes monitored?
- Is the ban on eating and drinking respected in EPA?
- Is the ban on private items in EPA respected?
- Have all other sources of danger in the EPA been eliminated?
- Use of shielding packaging outside the EPA?
- Use of ESD packaging and containers within the EPA?
- ESD responsibilities and ESD tasks regulated?
- Does ESD training take place for employees?
Individual points on the checklist are explained in more detail below for better understanding:
ESD earthing bracelets should be available at all ESD workstations and must be worn, especially when seated.
Care must also be taken to ensure that not only employees wear their ESD clothing and ESD shoes correctly, but also supervisors and other persons visiting the EPA. ESD-sensitive components must be transported and stored outside the EPA in shielding packaging.
Within the EPA, care should be taken to ensure that the packaging and containers used are ESD-compatible.
To avoid gaps in ESD protection, it should be clear who is responsible for which ESD protection task.
Do you have any further questions about ESD protection and ESD products? We look forward to hearing from you and will be happy to advise you.
