If you work in an industry where static electricity can be a real cause for concern, you’ll almost certainly need ESD (electro static discharge) protection of some kind. So if you’re wondering “Which ESD workstation is best for me?” well – look no further!
This post will fill you in on the key things to know before buying an ESD workstation.
“How should I choose an ESD workstation for my needs?”
Here at VODEX we offer two ranges of anti-static ESD workbenches. Both are highly adaptable, built with a modular construction and able to be expanded with a host of accessories to suit your needs.
These accessories include:
- Bench Frames
- ESD Laminate
- Main Shelf
- Bonding Point
- Drawers
- Tool Panel
- Overhead Lighting
From a purely physical perspective, how to find the best ESD workstation for your needs comes down to how big you need your workbench to be and what kinds of loads you need it to hold – along with the overlook aesthetic you feel would suit your space best.
However, choosing the right ESD workstation is about much more than the physical bench itself. We’d also suggest taking time to fully understand what you’ll be using it for, and investigate the kinds of tools and accessories you’ll need to make your work ESD safe.
Before you focus on that, however, it’s important to understand why ESD is such a danger to begin with.
Why is ESD a problem?
ESD happens when two objects rub against each other, transferring electrons from one to the other – making one object positively charged (full of more protons than electrons) and one negatively charged (full of more electrons than protons).
When a negatively charged objects comes into contact with positively charged one it will transfer electrons to it, creating a static spark. When humans experience this it’s a minorly inconvenient static shock. However, when the negative charge is transferred to electric components, it can damage them beyond repair – and even be a fire hazard.
How can you protect against ESD?
Deciding which ESD workstation is best for you is only the beginning of setting up your workspace to protect against electrostatic discharge.
You can protect against ESD by making sure each person in an ESD danger area is earthed to the same voltage as their electrostatic protected area (EPA) – but there are many different ways to make sure this happens.
An ESD solution can be as simple as an ESD bench mat with a wrist strap. However, a truly comprehensive EPA can be made up of many different elements, as the image below shows.
If you’re busy choosing the best ESD workstation for you and want some tips on what to go for, we consider the essentials for a good level of ESD protection to be:
- A working surface mat
- A working surface mat grounding cord
- An Earth bonding point (EBP) plug
- An ESD wrist strap
- An earth bonding point (EBP) bar
- Foot grounders (or ESD shoes)
- ESD floor matting
- A floor mat grounding cord.
For further details on these and the part they play in an ESD solution, see our blog post ‘How to Set Up an ESD Workstation.’
Need expert advice on the right ESD solution for you? We can help.
At VODEX, our priority is keeping businesses like yours, and workers like your staff safe from the potentially harmful effects of their working processes. That’s why we stock a range of ESD solutions, and are on hand to support you in choosing the right ESD workstation, equipment, and more besides.
To learn more, see the links below or get in touch with us for personalised advice.
