ESD protected test stand - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: axc
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 16, 2024, 02:24:06 pm
content: Hi!Thank you for viewing this thread!I have a question regarding ESD safe environments. So far, I have built a workbench using ESD mats. I have them covering my main working area, as well as some shelves I use for testing electronics. I have built 3 test stands with Atmel controllers, JTAG programmers and barebone PSUs simply laying on the mats themselves. This should be fine for ESD safety, since all the mats are grounded properly via 1MOhm resistors.However, this setup is not practical, since every time I connect another device for testing (an ARM microcontroller or an FPGA) I have to unplug all the tiny wires in between of the shelves, which is extremely time consuming.A better solution would be to have a detachable test stand that could simply slide on the shelf. So basically imagine a plywood shelf, then a ESD mat, then some hard surface, which could have all the components mounted on it (PSUs, programmers, microcontrollers, FPGAs, etc.), which I could just slide out of the shelf, then put it on my main working area to perform some modifications to the testing setup. Then, when I'm done with modifications, I could just slide the hard surface back onto the shelf it was removed from and basically just connect a few USB and 12V connectors and I'm golden.The question, however, is about ESD protection. I have checked plexiglass for making the hard surface with, but this raises concern if I put it ontop of the ESD safe mat, because the dielectric and capacitative properties of plexiglass would cancel out the grounding.Using a ESD mat for the top cover of the slidable hard surface is also not an option, because I would need to mount the components on it semi-permanently, so that they don't slide, when I move the entire testing stand.I have also researched stainless steel as then hard surface foundation, but something about it scares me, mainly due to potential short circuit issues.Which material should I use and how do I build a movable semi-permanent testing stand, which is also ESD safe?Photo of the current "sandwich" is attached. (shelf -> ESD mat -> wood -> components) I would like to use something else than wood, or rearrange the whole sandwich completely, based on the answers here.Kind regards,Simon

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2024, 09:42:07 pm
content: ESD-safe MDF laminate boards (the stuff normally used to make ESD-safe work surfaces)? ESD plastic? Regular plastic with antistatic spray coating? Regular plastic plus ESD foam? Metal? Regular steel (painted with ESD-safe paint if you want) and magnetic standoffs are a great way to mount things temporarily yet securely. Aluminum is easy to machine yourself. One option is sheeting with pre-stamped holes.Have you considered euro containers? The shortest ones are like trays, and they’re available in ESD versions, and they’re stackable, and lids are available. E.g.https://www.auer-packaging.com/ee/en/ESD-Euro-containers/ESD-EG-6475-HG.html(Take a look at their whole catalog, they have a big section of ESD products.)