IEC61340-5-1 specifies technical requirements for the design, use and control of a protected area so that electrostatic sensitive devices (ESDS), having sensitivity of 100V (Human Body Model test) or higher, can be handled with minimal risk of damage from procurement through to end of life. The technical requirements of the standard cover:
- The electrostatic protected area (EPA) including requirements for protective equipment, construction of the EPA, working practices, and field work.
- Grounding and bonding systems.
- Personal grounding.
- Training requirements.
- Compliance Verification (test, measurement and auditing).
- ESD protective packaging.
- Marking.
We often get asked how do you test an ESD chair ? Well this depends upon if the test is for Qualification Resistance to Ground or Compliance Verification Resistance to Ground measurement.
Resistance to Groundable Point – (Qualification) – measurement of seating.
In this case the measurement is made at a groundable point, usually a wheel or foot. The sole purpose of this test is to measure the compliance of the seat alone without the influence of the flooring.
Equipment Required: 2.5Kg electrodes, 10/100v resistance meter, Insulating Floor or Plate, Metal Plate Electrode, Sample Chair for testing!
Procedure: Place the chair on an insulating surface. Place a metal plate under the wheel. Place electrodes on the chair seat. Connect the resistance meter. Measure result at 10v. If R > 106 Ohms, measure result again at 100V.
Resistance to Ground – (Compliance Verification) – measurement of seating.
This simple test measures Resistance to Ground and used for compliance verification test of seating in the EPA including the ground path through the floor.
Equipment Required: 2.5Kg electrodes, 10/100V resistance meter, Sample chair for testing!
Procedure: Place the electrode on chair seat. Connect the resistance meter between the electrode and ESD earth. Measure result at 10V. If R > 106 Ohms, measure result again at 100V.
