Personal grounding methods and equipment
Use the following equipment to prevent static electricity damage to equipment:
●
Wrist straps are flexible straps with a maximum of one megohm ± 10% resistance in the ground
cords. To provide a proper ground, wear the strap against bare skin. The ground cord must be
connected and fit snugly into the banana plug connector on the grounding mat or workstation.
●
Heel straps, toe straps, and boot straps can be used at standing workstations and are compatible
with most types of shoes or boots. On conductive floors or dissipative floor mats, use them on both
feet with a maximum of one-megohm ± 10% resistance between the operator and ground.
Table 5-2 Static shielding protection levels
Method Voltage
Antistatic plastic
Carbon-loaded
plastic
Metallized
laminate
1,500
7,500
15,000
Grounding the work area
To prevent static damage at the work area:
●
Cover the work surface with approved static-dissipative material. Provide a wrist strap connected
to the work surface and properly grounded tools and equipment.
●
Use static-dissipative mats, foot straps, or air ionizers to give added protection.
●
Handle electrostatic sensitive components, parts, and assemblies by the case or PCB laminate.
Handle them only at static-free work areas.
●
Turn off power and input signals before inserting and removing connectors or test equipment
●
Use fixtures made of static-safe materials when fixtures must directly contact dissipative surfaces.
●
Keep work area free of nonconductive materials, such as ordinary plastic assembly aids and
Styrofoam.
●
Use field service tools, such as cutters, screwdrivers, and vacuums, that are conductive.
Recommended materials and equipment
It is recommended that the following materials and equipment be used to prevent static electricity:
●
Antistatic tape
●
Antistatic smocks, aprons, or sleeve protectors
●
Conductive bins and other assembly or soldering aids
●
Conductive foam
●
Conductive tabletop workstations with ground cord of one-megohm ± 10% resistance
●
Static-dissipative table or floor mats with hard tie to ground
●
Field service kits
●
Static awareness labels
ENWW Service considerations 53