Definitions on the subject of ESD

Electrostatic discharge (ESD)

„Transfer of charge between bodies at different electrostatic potentials caused by direct contact or induced by electrostatic field.“(1)

Electrostatic discharge sensitive device (ESDS)

„Discrete device, integrated circuit or assembly that may be damaged by electrostatic fields or electrostatic discharge encountered in routine handling, testing or transit“(1)

ESD protected area (EPA)

„Area in which ESDS can be handled with accepted risk of damage as a result of electrostatic discharge or fields“(1)

EPA ground bonding point (EBP)

„Dedicated point to which an EPA equipment may be connected“(1)

EPA ground

„Uniform potential established in the work area which ensures that the electrical potential of the items handled and of everything with which they are likely to come into contact is the same“(1)

EPA ground facility

„Common facility to which elements in the ESD protected area are electrically connected”(1)

ESDS treshold voltage sensitivity

„Maximum voltage at which the ESDS does not suffer any ESD damage”(1)

ESDS treshold voltage sensitivity of an assembly

„Most sensitive ESDS on an assembly will determine the assembly’s sensitivity“(1)

Packaging properties:

Electrostatic discharge shielding

„Barrier or enclosure that limits the passage of current and attenuates the energy resulting from an electrostatic discharge such that the maximum energy from 1000 V human body model discharge is less than or equal to 50 nJ“(1)

Electrostatic conductive

„Packaging with a surface resistance of < 1 x 10E4 Ω.“(1)

Electrostatic dissipative

„Packaging with a surface resistance of ≥ 1 x 10E4 Ω and < 1 x 10E11 Ω.“(1)

Isolating

„Packaging with a surface resistance of ≥ 1 x 10E11 Ω.“(1)

(1) IEC 61340-5-1

further explanations in IEC TR 61340-5-2