ESD qualification data used as the basis for building electrostatic discharge protected areas

ESD control programs that are based on the standards IEC61340-5-1 and ANSI/ESD S20.20 are targeted to provide safer handling of electronic parts now susceptible to damage by electrostatic discharge. However, ESD failures have occurred in EPA even when all standard control methods are met. To further improve EPAs, ESD control programs should be updated to cover all known common discharge scenarios, and multiple parallel ESD source parameters should be used to assess the level of ESD risks. In addition, a reliable ESD risk assessment should be based on discharge source circuit analysis and product sensitivity tests using the real discharge waveforms found in EPA.