ESD Strap

[GARL]

Hi everyone,

I haven't been out of the lab for development but my company does not have any more room there. This is definitely something that I should know BUT I don't!

I am working in an office environment with carpets and a desk. I do have an ESD strap with an alligator clip, where should I clip this so that I will minimize the static discharge from my body to the Circuit board?

Thanks a lot!

 

[Skogsgurra]

That depends on where you are situated. If your mains outlets are grounded and you got a spare one, then make a blind plug with nothing but the ground terminal connected. Make a loop out of uninsulated wire and connect your 'gator there.

Please note that I am not talking about the Neutral (N). It would be extremely dangerous to use that one - there is a possibility that the wires have been mixed up so that you connect to the live wire (L) instead.

Also, make sure that you got a 1 megohm resistor betwen clip and strap. Directly grounding yourself is dangerous if you touch a live conductor.

 

[BrianG]

If your company understands how expensive ESD damage can be to its reputation you should have been trained in proper ESD damage prevention procedures. You might want to review various reports on the web about ESD control, and damage that can happen to circuit boards from apprently innocuous everyday items.

Working at a desk you should use an ESD mat as well as your wrist strap. You should also check the whole thing regularly with an ESD system tester. Don't forget that things like sheets of paper, adhesive tape and packaging can deliver a nasty jolt to circuit boards, so keep them away from the board. Always place the board inside a proper anti-static bag when it's not in use or when transferring to another location.

Hope that helps!

 

[GARL]

Thanks BrianG!

I convinced the lab guy to give me a desk at the corner of the lab! WOOO HOOO thanks!

 

[analogkid2digitalman]

I usually put a ring terminal at the end of the wire. Then remove the faceplate of the outlet and secure the ring terminal between the duplex outlet and faceplate using the faceplate screw. Just make sure the metal frame of the duplex is grounded (usually by default). This method ensures that it never gets 'unplugged'. And as skogsgurra mentioned, don't forget the 1Mohm resistor!

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