ESD Glossary
In our ESD Glossary we offer you an abundance of technical explanations of terms and standards used in the exciting world of the electronics industry. Whether you are an experienced expert or just starting out in this exciting industry, this glossary will help you to understand the meaning and context of important terms. From basics like electrostatic charge and resistors to ESD models, we will help you to keep track of things. In addition, we will look at relevant norms and standards that are widely used in the electronics industry. Immerse yourself in the world of the electronics glossary and expand your knowledge of this dynamic industry.
Terms
Bleeder resistance | The bleeder resistance is the resistance between an electrode on the top of a device and the ESD grounding point. The resistance to ground is the resistance between an electrode on the top of a device and the ground potential. |
Point-to-point resistance | Point-to-point resistance is the resistance between two defined points on the surface of a material. This is measured using two electrodes that are attached to two different points on the surface. This checks the electrical conductivity of surfaces, especially ESD floors and ESD workplace mats. |
Contact resistance | Contact resistance refers to the resistance to current flow through a material or a connection (e.g. through a film, a wire or a layer). The measurement is carried out using two electrodes on opposite sides of the material. This is intended to test the conductivity of contacts or layers, for example in coated materials. |
Discharge time | The time interval in which a charged body is discharged from an initial value to a final value by the connection to the ground potential, e.g. from 1000V to 100V. |
Grounding | This refers to connecting an electrical device or conductive surface to the ground to safely dissipate excess electrical charges. It protects people from electric shocks and prevents damage to devices caused by surges or electrostatic discharges. |
Influence | Term for the separation of electrical charges in a body, which is caused by an external electric field without there being a direct exchange of charges. This causes charges to move within the material, so that one side becomes positively charged and the other negatively charged. |
Capacitor | A capacitor is an electrical component that stores electrical energy in the form of an electric field. It consists of two conductors (usually metal plates) that are separated from each other by an insulating material (the dielectric). When a voltage is applied, the plates store electrical charge. Capacitors are used in electronic circuits for energy storage, filtration and interference suppression. |
CDM | The Charged Device Model describes the mechanisms that occur when a charged component is discharged. The electrostatic sensitivity is determined by a pulse defined by the equivalent circuit. |
Conductive | Are materials having a surface resistance greater than 102 Ohm and less than 105 Ohm (according to DIN EN 61340-5-1) |
Dissipative | Are materials having a surface resistance greater than 105 Ohm and less than 1011 Ohm (according to DIN EN 61340-5-1) |
Shielding | Are materials that block or weaken external influences such as electrical, magnetic or electromagnetic fields. This protects sensitive devices or components from interference and prevents uncontrolled transmission of signals. |
Antistatic | Are materials that prevent the formation of electrostatic charges. Antistatic materials dissipate charge in a controlled manner without causing sparks or interference. |
EBP | Earth Bonding Point is the marked connection for all ESD grounding measures; it must not be used as a protective conductor. |
EPA | The Electrostatic Protected Area is an area equipped with ESD protection measures where ESDS can be manufactured, processed, packaged, transported or stored without the risk of electrostatic damage. |
ESD | Electrostatic discharge is the electrostatic discharge used as equipotential bonding between charged bodies by direct contact or flashover. |
ESD models | Using idealized model ideas, an attempt is made to simulate real ESD discharges and to define test methods for determining the device sensitivity. The most important models are HBM, CDM and MM. |
ESDS | Electrostatic Discharge Sensitive Device: Designation for components or assemblies that are caused by electrostatic discharges during handling, processing or transport. |
ESD voltage sensitivity | Damage threshold of a device to certain discharge pulses of the discharge models HBM, CDM or MM. |
Electrostatic charge | In physics, this term refers to idle electrical charges generated by mechanical contact and subsequent separation of materials. |
HBM | The Human Body Model describes the mechanisms that occur when a charged human body is discharged via a component or assembly. The electrostatic sensitivity is determined by a pulse defined by the equivalent circuit. |
Ionization | Positive and negative ions generated by the corona effect under high voltage neutralize electrostatic charges. They are mainly used for discharging non-conductors. |
Insulator | Materials having a surface resistance greater than 1011 Ohm are insulating. |
Low Charging | Materials are weakly chargeable if they have the property of not charging or only insignificantly charging on contact and subsequent separation or friction. |
MM | The machine model describes the mechanisms that occur during the discharge of a charged machine or plant component. The electrostatic sensitivity is determined by a pulse defined by the equivalent circuit. |
Surface resistance | The surface resistance of a material is the electrical resistance between two electrodes placed on the surface. For comparative measurements, the distance between the electrodes must be indicated. |
Potential equalization | Electrostatic charges must be immediately compensated against ground potential (0V) without danger to ESDS. The primary objective of ESD protection is to prevent the occurrence static charges. |
Volume resistance | In case a material is made entirely of conductive material, the current essentially flows through the body of the material. The resistance is measured between an electrode on the top and a counter electrode on the opposite point on the lower surface of the material. |
Volume conductivity | Characterizes materials by the fact that the entire material is dissipative, and not just the surface. |
Audits | Audits are systematic checks that ensure that measures to protect against electrostatic discharge (ESD) are adhered to. Workplaces, materials and processes are checked for compliance with standards such as IEC 61340 in order to protect sensitive electronic components from damage caused by ESD. |
Terms
DIN-Notation | VDE-Notation | Stand | Norminhalt |
DIN IEC/TR 61340-1 | VDE 0300-1 | 2021-08 | Electrostatics – Part 1: Electrostatic processes - Fundamentals and measurements – (IEC/TR 61340-1:2012 + Cor1:2013 + COR2:2017 + AMD1:2020) |
DIN EN 61340-2-1 | VDE 0300-2-1 | 2016-07 | Electrostatics – Part 2-1: Measurement methods – Ability of materials and products to dissipate electrostatic charges – (IEC 61340-2-1:2015) |
DIN EN 61340-2-3 | VDE 0300-2-3 | 2017-05 | Electrostatics – Test methods for the determination of the resistance and resistivity of solid flat materials used to avoid electrostatic charge – (IEC 61340-2-3:2000) |
DIN EN 61340-4-1 | VDE 0300-4-1 | 2016-04 | Electrostatics – Part 4-1: Standard test methods for special applications – Electrical resistance of floor coverings and installed floors – (IEC 61340-4-1:2003 + A1:2015) |
DIN IEC/TS 61340-4-2 | VDE V 0300-4-2 | 2016-01 | Electrostatics – Part 4-2: Standard test methods for special applications – Electrostatic properties of textiles (IEC/TS 61340-4-2:2013) |
DIN EN 61340-4-3 | VDE 0300-4-3 | 2018-10 | Electrostatics – Standard test methods for special applications – Footwear – (IEC 61340-4-3:2001) |
DIN EN 61340-4-4 | VDE 0300-4-4 | 2015-11 | Electrostatics – Part 4-4: Standard test methods for special applications – Classification of flexible bulk solids containers (FIBC) in electrostatic terms – (IEC 61340-4-4:2012 + A1:2014) |
DIN EN 61340-4-5 | VDE 0300-4-5 | 2019-04 | Electrostatics – Part 4-5: Standard test methods for special applications – Methods for characterizing the electrostatic protective effect of footwear and floor in combination with a person – (IEC 61340-4-5:2004) |
DIN EN 61340-4-6 | VDE 0300-4-6 | 2016-04 | Electrostatics – Part 4-6: Standard test methods for special applications – Wrist straps – (IEC 61340-4-6:2015) |
DIN EN 61340-4-7 | VDE 0300-4-7 | 2018-01 | Electrostatics - Part 4-7: Standard test methods for special applications - Ionization - (IEC 61340-4-7:2017) |
DIN EN 61340-4-8 | VDE 0300-4-8 | 2015-08 | Electrostatics – Part 4-8: Standard test methods for special applications – Shielding against electrostatic discharge – Bags – (IEC 61340-4-8:2014) |
DIN EN 61340-4-9 | VDE 0300-4-9 | 2020-06 | Electrostatics – Part 4-9: Standard test methods for special applications – Shielding against electrostatic discharge – Clothing – (IEC 61340-4-9:2016) |
DIN EN 61340-5-1 | VDE 0300-5-1 Beiblatt 1 | 2017-01 | Electrostatics – Part 5-1: Protection of electronic components against electrostatic phenomena – General requirements – (IEC 61340-5-1:2016 |
DIN EN 61340-5-2 | VDE 0300-5-2 | 2019-04 | Electrostatics – Part 5-2: Protection of electronic components against electrostatic phenomena – User manual – (IEC TR 61340-5-1:2018) |
DIN EN 61340-5-3 | VDE 0300-5-3 | 2016-04 | Electrostatics – Part 5-3: Protection of electronic components against electrostatic phenomena – Properties and requirements for the classification of packaging used for components sensitive to electrostatic discharges – (IEC 61340-5-3:2015) |