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Significance of the ESD Standard For Electronic Assembly


Change and development are necessary in life. Even in the electronics

industry, there has been constant evolvement, innovation, and

development. This industry is continually experiencing growth and

development. While technology and device circuitry density are becoming

more complex, electronics manufacturing depends more on out-sourcing.

Today it is more complex to minimize ESD losses. Users need a way to

evaluate and make comparisons between competing brands and ESD

protection strategies. The ESD means electrostatic discharge . This

standard is important in the electronics assembly industry. It is crucial for

electronics manufacturing, assembly, repair, or any other aspects that

involve electronic circuits and components to adhere to the ESD standard.

Table of Contents

What is the ESD Standard?

The ESD Standard was set up in order to ensure organization within

concerned industries could protect their electronic products and

components form ESD. ESD means electrostatic discharge. It is a great

issue which could cause damage to an electronic component. If proper

care isn’t taken, ESD can destroy an electronic component completely.

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Therefore, the ESD standard helps to ensure ESD doesn’t build up in the

first place. For instance, in Germany and some European countries, the

standard DIN EN 61340-5-1 is important. The ESD standard guarantees

consistency of ESDS items and as well as the consistency of ESD control

products. This standard is a means of making comparison among ESD

control products.

Furthermore, this standard minimizes conflicts that arise between ESD

control products suppliers and users. It develops, integrates, audits, and

approves ESD control programs. The U.S makes the integration of this

standard voluntary. ESD regulations should be prioritized in cleanrooms.

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What causes electrostatic discharge in electronics products?

ESD Protection at pcb soldering

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Electrostatic discharge occurs when there is an abrupt electricity flow

between two objects that are electrically charged. There are several

causes of ESD. ESD can result from contact of the two objects by dielectric

breakdown. ESD causes damage in electronic circuitry. Electricity flow can

cause a hole to burn in an integrated circuit. The area which surrounds the

hole would as well possess discernible heat damage.

Even if this occurrence didn’t result in a hole, an ESD will disrupt the

operation of the equipment. However, internal components will wear

down over time due to the frequent occurrences. Lack of ESD protection

will cause electronic components to easily break down. The rate at which

electronic components break down will be faster. Therefore, this will

interfere with operations and as such, minimize quality and enhance

costs.

What is ANSI ESD S20 20 Standard?

Electrostatic discharge poses costly and dangerous risks to electronic

products. Not only does it pose a great damage to electronics, it also

causes damage in pharmaceutical, medical, and other important

industries. To meet the increasing demand for sound ESD control

programs, the ESD.EOS Association Inc set up a third-party certification

program. The ANSI ESD S20.20. is a standard set up by EOS/ESD

Association, Inc.

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This standard was established through ISO9000 Certification Bodies. The

ANSI ESD S20.20.offers technical and administrative provisions designed

for some particular requirements or applications. Also, this standard

offers a great basis for the control process and integration of the

standard.

Furthermore, the ANSI/ESD S20.20 standard makes it possible to guide all

aspects of building the ESD control programme. Also, it is ideal to be

supported by the management for the area impacted by the ESD control

process.

Who Develops the ESD Standards?

The development and integration of standards is usually a cooperative

effort by individuals and organizations impacted by these standards.

There are several major ESD standards development organizations.

Military standards

The U.S military is in charge of the developing certain specifications and

standards that involve ESD control. However, the military agencies in the

U.S are now depending on commercially developed standards. For

instance, the ESD Association converted MIL-STD 1686 into a commercial

standard known as the ANSI ESD S20.20.

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ESD Association

For the past years, the ESD Association has taken center stage at the

development of ESD standards. The ESD Association sees to the

development of test methods and ESD standards. Also, the ESD

Association represents the United States on other programs.

Furthermore, there are several technical reports and standard documents

in the ESD Association. These standards oversee the areas of test

methodology for ESD control products evaluation and electrostatic

sensitivity. Furthermore, the ESD Association published some advisories

which contain some pices of information. The advisory documents may be

altered in the future.

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What is the IEC 61000 4 2?

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The IEC 61000-4-2 standard defines ESD protection, by integrating

two testing methodologies. The contact discharge methodology

discharges an ESD pulse from the ESD test gun that is in contact with the

device under test. This methodology is highly preferred. The second

methodology which the IEC 61000 4 2 makes room for is an air discharge.

This methodology is ideal for scenarios in which it is impossible to

maintain contact discharge testing.

The air discharge test involves bringing the ESD test gun close to the

device under test until there is a discharge. These standards must be

defined in such a way that each level is equivalent. Therefore, a Level 4

contact discharge of 8 kV is the same as an air discharge of 15 kV.

The IEC 61000 4 2 is an ESD immunity compliance standard for electronics

that need to get the UL, CE Mark, and other certification. Electrostatic

discharge ESD occurs everywhere. It occurs between high

density electronic components in electronics products like television and

mobile phones. It is impossible to predict ESD. Therefore, it is important to

take some measures that prevent malfunction or damage of a device

when ESD occurs.

The IEC 6100 4 2 is the most popular standard for evaluating robustness

and approving commercial electronics. This standard is an

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effective EMC test standard needed to attain a CE marking. With IEC 6100

4 2, electronic producers can sell their products in Europe.

What is the Importance of ESD Protection in Electronic

Products?

Like it was earlier explained, ESD can cause significant damage

to electronic equipment and as such, this could lead to a catastrophic

failure in the field. In the electronics manufacturing industry, minor

mistakes or errors can be detrimental to the functionality of electronic

components and devices. ESD damage is one of the most common causes

of product losses.

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) occurs when built-up charge releases

between objects, thereby, resulting in the flow of electricity between these

objects. ESD of charged objects caused by humans statically charged

objects can cause damage to different semiconductor parts which include

CMOS IC chips, MOSFETs, and diodes.

In most cases, 60 to 90 percent of damages caused by ESD doesn’t cause

complete failure. However, this damage can be difficult to detect.

Therefore, it is of utmost importance to minimize and regulate ESD during

circuit board assembly.

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ESD protection is crucial in any electronic products as it helps to prevent

any damage. Any electronic component or product is vulnerable to

damage due to exposure to ESD. Also, ESD protection is crucial in

preventing the formation of static charge in electronic products. The main

purpose of creating the ESD standards is to minimize the risk of damage

to devices that are sensitive to ESD.

Furthermore, this protection is ideal for minimizing failure in electronic

device and as well as enhancing the performance and reliability of delicate

electronic components or products. Adhering to the ESD standards is

crucial for industries that produce delicate electronic equipment.

Therefore, the ESD standard is great measure to prevent and also address

all ESD related problems.

Electronic companies need to adhere to all the procedures of ESD

standards. Also, these standards should be integrated in the appropriate

way.

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How to Control ESD

There are some preventive and precautionary measures that can

minimize ESD for electronic assembly. These measures include:

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 Make use of anti-static equipment and tools to prevent electrical

charge conduction. Also, do not work on electronic device when

there is electrical storm as this can increase the risk of ESD.

 Circuit board rework or component repair should be carried out in

an ESD safe environment.

 Use ESD-safe tables or workstation to enable the dispersion of

static electricity. Electrically conductive carbon fibers are used in

manufacturing these mats. Therefore, ESD becomes inactive on the

mat.

 Wear a grounded wrist strap to minimize any risk of ESD incident.

Ensure you wear this wrist strap correctly as it will protect any

charge generated by the body.

 ESD air ionizers can be used by engineers as they get rid of static

charge from the air.

 Employees may need to put on anti-static clothing to shield

sensitive components and ESD shock.

 Avoid using jewelry and some static accessories in the workstation.

Conclusion

The ESD standard for electronic assembly has helped in preventing some

damages to electronic products. There are a wide range of standards set

up to ensure safety and protection while using electronic products. Some

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of these standards are the IES 6100 4 2, ansi ESD s20 20 and the ISO 10605.

Electronic manufacturers and assemblers should endeavor to adhere to

these standards to ensure safety and reliability of electronic products.

Related Posts:

1. Significance of Electronic Board in Electronic Device Manufacturing

2. A Complete Guide To IPC Standard For PCB Assembly

3. The Significance of an SMD IC in Electronic Devices

4. What is the Significance of Visual Components Assembly?

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