TransCore AP4119 - Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage; Figure 2 Programming Workstation with ESD Controls

AP4119 Rail Tag Programmer User Guide
TransCore Proprietary
1–8
Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage
Caution
TransCore tags are sensitive to ESD, and precautions are necessary to ensure proper tag
programming operation. Use the grounded ESD static-suppression wrist strap when using the
programmer. Additional protection from ESD is recommended where practical.
Static is generated by friction. Some causes of static include the following:
• Shoes moving across a carpeted or plastic floor
• Hot air blowing into a room from a hot-air duct
• Rubbing tags together
• Rubbing tags across a tabletop
• Wearing certain types of clothing
ESD may cause significant damage to the tag and will adversely aect a tag’s operating performance.
Typical symptoms of ESD include the following:
• Inability to program the tag
• Greatly reduced operating range
• Tag operating failure
Anti-static Workstation
In a factory or fixed indoor environment, position the programmer in an anti-static workstation. Well-
designed workstations use a system of multiple precautions against ESD. Figure 2 shows an anti-static
workstation.
Contact TransCore Technical Support with any questions concerning the suitability of the programming
station or environment.
Take precautions to prevent ESD from aecting programming operations. A list of some of the most
eective precautions follows. The potential for ESD damage decreases when two or more precautions are
used together.
Figure 2 Programming Workstation with ESD Controls