What is ESD and what is an ESD floor for?

The ESD phenomenon causes damage amounting to up to several billion US dollars worldwide. It is estimated that the cost of ESD damage is 8 to 30% of total manufacturing defects for companies that manufacture electronic components. Therefore, it is extremely important to avoid the damage caused by ESD as much as possible. The terramondi ESD floor can also help you.

What does ESD mean?

ESD is an abbreviation for ElectroStatic Discharge, loosely translated as electrostatic discharge. A charge occurs when two substances rub together or are simply separated (e.g. adhesive tape). Neutral atoms of substances become positively or negatively charged through this process. If the charged atoms then hit a grounded element, an electrical discharge occurs.

Each of us has experienced this firsthand, especially in the winter months, when you catch a door handle and get an electric shock. This is because the air is dry in winter, making it difficult to dissipate the accumulated electrical charge. In addition, walking on a carpet or moving your hands in a wool sweater can accumulate an enormous charge.

Body like a giant battery

Did you know that just by standing up from a chair you can generate a charge of up to 18,000 volts? When you take off a wool sweater, you generate a voltage of up to 25,000 V. If you walk on a nylon carpet in a dry environment, you can very easily accumulate up to 35,000 volts!

You can hear these discharges when the body has accumulated 6,000 volts - then you hear the popping sound. You may see a small spark when the charge is 9,000 volts.

What affects the magnitude of the charge?

The magnitude of the charge is influenced by several factors. One of the most important is the relative humidity. In a humid environment, the charge can easily escape through the conductive path created by water droplets in the air. In contrast, it is more difficult for the load in winter, and during e.g. For example, if handling a plastic bag generates a voltage of 1,600 V in summer, it can be up to 17,000 V in winter.

Another important factor is the type of materials. If you rub an inflated rubber balloon on your hair, the tension will be enormous. This is caused by materials with opposite charge tendencies rubbing against each other. While hair charges positively, rubber and plastic tend to charge negatively. This difference can lead to great tension. If you want to know more about this topic, we recommend that you take a look at the so-called “triboelectric series”.

The speed at which we walk on a carpet or unwind the tape also affects the size of the load. When we go slower, the charge is not as great as at higher speeds. And last but not least, the size of the contact surface of the materials is important. The larger the area, the larger the charge.

Fine Electronics

In the 1970s, manufacturing companies began to pay more attention to the ESD problem. Until then, robust and often large electrical components could withstand higher voltages, but the trend towards smaller products has changed this. Big old TVs have been replaced by thin LCD screens, phones fit in your pocket, and large desktop computers have been replaced by small, compact laptops or tablets. All of these devices require the smallest possible components.

Did you know that the current smallest chip is only 0.1 mm3?

All of these components are extremely sensitive to higher voltages. Even 20 volts can cause irreversible damage. However, the most insidious thing about ESD is the fact that ESD can only partially damage electronics while the component continues to function. Even the exit inspection will not detect such damage. They are often so small that we cannot see them with our eyes. The degree of damage can be determined by several factorse represent thousand-fold magnifications. However, over time, the damage can increase until it leads to total failure of the product. In many cases, this happens while the product is still under warranty, causing the manufacturer to incur high costs to repair or replace the product.

Where can we encounter ESD and how can we protect ourselves effectively?

Preventing ESD is extremely important in manufacturing companies. And not just there. Electrostatic discharge can also cause major problems in other areas, such as: B:

• Airports,
• Textile and paper industry,
• Paint shops,
• Drying rooms,
• Photographic industry,
• Pharmaceutical industry,
• Operating rooms,
• Dental practices,
• or logistics centers where products are handled or packaged

ESD prevention programs focus on two main goals - minimizing the risk of electrostatic discharge as much as possible and, in cases where it occurs, gradually dissipating the charge to the grounding point.

For effective and efficient ESD prevention, we recommend implementing an ESD suppression program in the company. As part of this program, it is necessary, among other things, to set up the so-called “EPA room” (ElectroStatic Discharge Protected Area). It is a room in which the risk of electrostatic discharge is minimized. This can be a single workplace where fine electronics are worked or an entire production hall. It includes, among other things:

1. ESD equipment: special ESD wristbands, ESD floors, ESD shoes and clothing, special ESD transport boxes, chairs, lamps, tools, packaging material and much more.

2. Measuring device at the entrance to the ESD room: measures the voltage value on the human body and the system resistance formed by the worker and the footwear.

3. Trained staff: as part of the program it is important to train operators on how to enter the room and how to work there.

4. ESD Coordinator: Every company should have its own coordinator who carries out regular checks, trains new employees and monitors the proper functioning of the program.

Tip: If you work mostly sitting and only come into contact with electronics at a desk, you should at least get ESD wristbands. They can effectively dissipate static charge. However, if you have to move and walk at work, you should also get a high-quality ESD floor. It does not generate any electrical charge and at the same time effectively dissipates it to the grounding point.

Contact our experts for further information, technical specifications or an individual offer. We are happy to help you find the best flooring solution for the specific needs of your industrial space.