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A Primer on Electro-Static Discharge Teledyne API – Model T700 Dynamic Dilution Calibrator
308
building static electric charges themselves. This does not prevent discharges from
static fields built up on other things, like you and your clothing, from discharging
through the instrument and damaging it.
11.4. BASIC PRINCIPLES OF STATIC CONTROL
It is impossible to stop the creation of instantaneous static electric charges. It is not,
however difficult to prevent those charges from building to dangerous levels or prevent
damage due to electro-static discharge from occurring.
11.4.1. GENERAL RULES
Only handle or work on all electronic assemblies at a properly set up ESD station.
Setting up an ESD safe workstation need not be complicated. A protective mat properly
tied to ground and a wrist strap are all that is needed to create a basic anti-ESD
workstation.
Wrist Strap
Protective Mat
Ground Point
Figure 11-2: Basic Anti-ESD Work Station
For technicians that work in the field, special lightweight and portable anti-ESD kits are
available from most suppliers of ESD protection gear. These include everything needed
to create a temporary anti-ESD work area anywhere.
Always wear an Anti-ESD wrist strap when working on the electronic
assemblies of your analyzer. An anti-ESD wrist strap keeps the person wearing it
at or near the same potential as other grounded objects in the work area and allows
static charges to dissipate before they can build to dangerous levels. Anti-ESD
wrist straps terminated with alligator clips are available for use in work areas where
there is no available grounded plug.
Also, anti-ESD wrist straps include a current limiting resistor (usually around one meg-
ohm) that protects you should you accidentally short yourself to the instrument’s power
supply.
Simply touching a grounded piece of metal is insufficient. While this may
temporarily bleed off static charges present at the time, once you stop touching the
grounded metal new static charges will immediately begin to re-build. In some
conditions, a charge large enough to damage a component can rebuild in just a few
seconds.
Always store sensitive components and assemblies in anti-ESD storage bags
or bins: Even when you are not working on them, store all devices and assemblies
in a closed anti-Static bag or bin. This will prevent induced charges from building
up on the device or assembly and nearby static fields from discharging through it.
06873B DCN6388