Good ESD workstation practices  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Prime
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2022, 12:34:28 pm
content: I've been roped into helping our production engineer fix the ESD work surfaces.One of the issues we've run into is the size of the benches in relation to the common ground stud placement on the mats.If I put one ground stud and cable on the mat, the wrist strap is not long enough to reach either side, even from the middle. It also doesn't help left and right handed people. Some of our benches are two to three meters long.In the past, people put multiple points from the mat to ground but to me this is bad practice?Can anyone confirm?I'm getting to the point where I may just go buy yellow Banana jacks and aluminium angle and make under bench connection points but don't want to get excessive if there is a better way. (Some of the commercial ones are dreadful)I'm also curious about surface resistance testing. Our tester is a little box with a dotbar display and two wire contacts on the back. I was taught years ago that ome should use 2.5 pound weights. How does the little tester compare? It's calibrated annually but I doubt that extends to how much pressure is applied from the operator?

author: harerod
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2022, 03:02:42 pm
content: Regarding dangling wires getting in the way:I prefer bare hands and arms for fiddly work. Therefore I connect a strap to my ankle.Another comfortable option are ESD shoes with appropriategroundingflooring.

author: Prime
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2022, 03:02:47 am
content: It's tempting to suggest people put the strap on their ankles, fortunately we do very little fiddly work, most just subcomponents that we put together to build a finished product.How do you remember to detach the wrist strap from your leg?Sadly it's probably too difficult at this point to push for ESD flooring and shoes.Easier if youre facility isn't filled with workstations.

author: harerod
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2022, 06:07:11 pm
content: Frankly, I forget the strap quite often. To avoid accidents, I have devised a highly sophisticated quick-release system. I stuff, what is actually a wristband, into my sock and let it touch my bare skin there. See attached pictures.Electronic assembly manufacturers usually have an ESD concept, which consists of a combination of clothing, footgear and flooring. Should clients get a tour of the assembly hall, they are asked to wear ESD overcoats and a grounding strip in their shoes. Take off one shoe, stick strip on inside sole, across the heal, to outside sole. Put shoe back on. Foot perspiration does the rest. Conductance is tested before entering the sensitive area. (I tend to show off by bringing my own ESD Birkenstocks.)

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2022, 06:10:55 pm
content: It shouldn't matter if there are multiple points to ground, the ESD grounds are not current carrying in a practical sense so you don't have to worry about ground loops and such. They just need to dissipate static charge.

author: Photoman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2022, 03:21:59 am
content: I use one of these bench mount wrist strap grounders.https://desco.descoindustries.com/DescoCatalog/Grounding-Hardware/Bench-Mounts/09740/I would mount it in the center under the bench so lefties and righties can use it.Attach the other end to the same ground as the mat.