Experimental study of control of human body electrostatic discharge (ESD) using passive and active guard electrodes

The electrostatic discharge (ESD) characteristics of a three-body problem comprised of a charged human body approaching an electronic system with an interposed guard electrode are investigated. Capacitance coefficients were measured for various three conductor arrangements; for an assumed charge on the human body, body potentials were calculated and the relative effectiveness of different guard electrode geometries to control the ESD event compared. The results provide a better understanding of the fundamental principles involved in the ESD event involving three bodies and have application in the design of interfaces between the charged human body and electronic systems.