Static control
Electrostatic charges, and their resulting discharges (ESD - electrostatic discharge), present severe risks to the life of electronic equipment in general, and to semiconductor components in particular. These risks are present as soon as electrostatic sensitive devices (ESDS), such as components, circuit boards or other unprotected parts, are handled, transported, stored, manufactured or tested.ESD also creates a risk of ignition of explosive gases or powders, or of items such as fireworks.
Individuals can become electrostatically or triboelectrically charged in various situations, such as by walking across a floor. The subsequent discharge can be felt as an electric shock.
ESD can cause damage to, or operational disturbances in electronic equipment as used in, for example, hospitals, printing works, the paper industry or industrial handling of plastics, or in other situations where the conditions for accumulation of electric charge exist.
SP can provide the following (and other) services in this area:
- Testing of ESD-protective products according to IEC61340 for use in electronics manufacture and the transport of ESDS.
- Issue of ESD-approval and inclusion in list of ESD-approved products.
- Measurement and evaluation of ESD risks and protection in different areas, for different products and equipment
- Preventive measures
- Audits/inspection, e.g. in premises used for electronics manufacture.
- Verifification of properties after installation, e.g. floor covering materials.
- Analyses of incidents.
- Assistance with design and verification, e.g. selection of materials for a machine.
- Personal comfort, e.g. selection of suitable carpeting.