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All permanent and semi-permanent metallic structures and test equipment utilized during handling or manufacturing of ESDS components or hardware shall be grounded using a common point ground. A major goal of this document is to ensure that all conductive materials are tied together at the same potential. An equal potential workstation is the secret to preventing damage to ESDS components.

The practice of having a separate ESD ground from the third wire (green) alternating current (AC) ground is wide spread but has the potential for damaging components because it places the operator and the work surface at a different ground potential with respect to any soldering irons and/or test equipment. The recommended practice is to use the third wire AC line ground for grounding all items at the ESDP workstation. When a separate grounding line is present or used in addition to the equipment ground, it must be bonded to the equipment ground at each ESDP station to minimize the difference in potential. ANSI EOS/ESD S6.1 “ESD Association Standard for the Protection of ESDS Items – Grounding-Recommended Practice” contains detailed hookup diagrams for ESDP workstations and support equipment.

The resistance of the conductor from the groundable point of the work surface, wrist strap, walking surface or other items to the common point ground should not be greater than 1.0 ohm. If a series resistor is used in the circuit, the total resistance shall be the value of the resistor.

The resistance of the conductor from the common point ground to the equipment ground should not be greater than 1.0 ohm.

The impedance (AC resistance) of the equipment-grounding conductor from the common point ground to the neutral bond at the main service equipment should not be greater than 1.0 ohm.

Each ESDP workstation should have a grounding block that provides sufficient wrist strap connections for all potential users. These grounding points shall not utilize portions of the protective work surface as a series element to complete the ground circuit. Receptacle grounds in an EPA shall be verified at least semiannually.

A good example of ESDP workstation setup is shown in Figure 6.5.1 Typical ESD Protective Station Grounding Systems and in ESD TR20.20-2008, Figure 13.

Stools and Chairs

Personnel performing ESDS tasks while seated should use ESDP stools and chairs. Only chairs of metallic frame construction shall be used in an EPA. Class 1 facilities shall provide ESDP chairs or stools at the workstation if seating is required. Test methods are found in ESD STM 12.1 “ESD Association Standard Test Method for the Protection of ESDS Items – Seating – Resistive Characterization”

Personnel grounding devices are the primary means of ESD control. For static charges generated during ordinary body movements, personnel-grounding devices provide a permanent path to ground. Such devices may take various forms such as:

  • Wrist Straps
  • Leg Straps
  • Heel Straps
  • Conductive Shoes

Wrist Straps

Wrist straps are considered to be the first line of defense against ESD and shall be required in the majority of ESDS work environments. Metallic contacts are preferred over conductive plastics. The wrist strap cuff shall always be in direct contact with the operator’s bare skin. It must never be worn over clothing. Bead-type chain wrist straps are prohibited.

Wrist straps shall always be worn snugly against the skin and shall not dangle freely. The electrical integrity of each wrist strap shall be checked during initial certification and verified by the operator at the beginning of every shift during which it is used. A wrist strap checker specifically designed for that purpose shall be used to verify the wrist-strap is functional. The wrist straps shall be connected to ground using one common ground point for each workstation. ESD S6.1 “Grounding Recommended Practice” outlines the recommended grounding practices.

Continuous, in-line continuity checkers are highly recommended. (Reference ESD TR20.20-2008, Section 5.3.9 – Continuous Monitors). The electrical resistance of the wrist strap measured between the opposite hand and the (ungrounded) grounding end of the wrist strap assembly shall not exceed 9M ohms above the value of the incorporated current-limiting resistance. The static dissipative work surface material shall never be used as part of the series path to ground for a wrist strap.

More information on wrist strap testing and set up is available on ESDS1.1 “ESD Standard Test Method for the Protection of ESDS Items – Wrist Straps”.

Leg Straps, Heel Straps, and Conductive Shoes

A conductive/dissipative floor and/or conductive floor mats are required when using leg straps, heel straps, and conductive shoes as acceptable alternatives to a wrist strap in those instances where the use of a wrist strap is impractical or unsafe. Examples of such instances would include working near moving conveyor belts or wave soldering machines and when working on large systems. The foot strap should have a built-in resistance of 1X106 +/- 20 percent. If the resistance does not meet this recommendation, the value should be approved by the ET&V Officer.

The ET&V Officer shall measure the conductivity of leg straps, heel straps, and conductive shoes during the initial certification. The operator shall verify this conductivity for each work shift. Test methodology is found in ESD S9.1 “ESD Association Standard Test Method for the Protection of ESDS Susceptible Items – Footwear – Resistive Characterization”.