At an ESD safe workstation personnel must use wriststraps to ensure they are grounded and therefore drain or dissipate static charges which could wreck ESD sensitive items. These wriststraps usually have a 1 Meg Ohm resistor in their connector or wiring which protects the wearer from hazardous electrical potentials. One major problem encountered by wrist strap users is the stress placed on the connection and wiring during normal use. This stress placed on the wire and plug of the wrist strap as the user moves around eventually will cause a break and loss of grounding. This renders the wrist strap inoperative.
Most companies require wrist strap users to check the wrist strap before beginning work each day.
Some require the user to check the connection e ach time they return to their work area after breaks, lunch etc. Many companies use continuous monitors on the wrist strap connection. If a wrist strap wire or connector breaks between operational checks, all parts handled since the last check are suspect and probably should be tested if not discarded. Worksurfaces Corporation has developed a unique connector system to help eliminate the problem of stress on the wiring and connector. We tested the connector over an extended period of time and found it worked flawlessly.