ESD damage: what it is and what we can do about it

The author discusses electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage that is inflicted upon electronic components and assemblies. During manufacture or transit, various materials and compounds rub against each other or separate one from another. This creation of a net charge imbalance on two or more objects by rubbing and separating is called triboelectric charging, and is a primary source for concern in ESD damage prevention. The first damage prevention strategy is to apply design techniques to make sensitive devices less sensitive. The second strategy is to implement an ESD-damage-prevention program for all manufacturing, handling, and storage areas. Such a program should include static safe work areas, appropriate employee and equipment grounding, and the use of conductive shielding containers for all sensitive items whenever they are not at static safe workstations