choosing between two ESD mats - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: SnakeBite
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2011, 01:51:08 pm
content: Hi, I'm having a hard time to choose between two models of esd mats for my lab.two of them are around 30$ and the other is around 60$.the difference between the two is the thickness (0.060" or 0.080") the country of origin (China vs Italy) and the top layer finish ("Lightly textured top layer with non-reflective finish" vs "Smooth top layer with non-reflective finish".how the top layer finish affects the esd dissipation or other factor I'm not thinking of ?http://www.all-spec.com/products/SRW110B.htmlhttp://www.all-spec.com/products/APW110B.htmlthanksIdo

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2011, 02:03:36 pm
content: Can you melt them with solder?

author: SnakeBite
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2011, 02:16:33 pm
content: no.in the links you have all the info."Withstands hot soldering irons and molten solder"

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 01, 2011, 02:17:58 pm
content: They are both a hybrid of dissipative and coductive layers and heat resistant which is good. They seem to not state resistance to punctures.You can't go wrong with either. I would choose mat surface to view components better. Quality and type of exact materials as well as use will determine the self-life of the mat - they do have a self life. They are both rather cheap to be honest and they will serve you for a long time with an appropriate grounding scheme.

author: Richard W.
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2011, 10:11:25 pm
content: Hi Ido,Both seem to be okay.But one of the most important things: choose one which isnotmade of PVC.The evaporating softener causes damage on rubber (rubber feet, multimeter holsters, ect).

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2011, 01:12:33 am
content: Quote from: SnakeBite on July 01, 2011, 02:16:33 pmI would get myself the $30 one. My budget is always limited for electronics gear because I do this as a hobby. Just have to pay $15 bucks more and I get something that will last many years more than a $15 mat that will get some nasty marks after a year of soldering cables.

author: Slobodan
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2011, 07:17:40 pm
content: I have a question concerning an ESD strap (Velleman). It has integrated 1Momh resistor and i want to know whether it is safe to connect it to a mains earth while wearing it on my wrist?

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2011, 08:20:18 pm
content: Quote from: Slobodan on July 03, 2011, 07:17:40 pmNot likely:At a 180V peak, the current would be 0.18uA (microamps), that is 0.00018 mA. So, here are some quotes from books about how much current is needed:http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2000/JackHsu.shtml

author: Slobodan
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2011, 08:09:34 am
content: Quote from: ivan747 on July 03, 2011, 08:20:18 pmNot likely to be safe?In my country the mains voltage iz 230V.

author: ipman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2011, 08:26:14 am
content: You are at least three orders of magnitude below the limit for death or for "pain" as described in the link above.That should make it safe ... but still, you don't want to connected to live wire.

author: Slobodan
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2011, 09:19:24 am
content: Thanks.