Hierarchical-clustering-scheme-based analysis of electrostatic discharge current in terms of an electromagnetic interference assessment

A hierarchical-clustering-scheme-based analysis of the electromagnetic interference (EMI) effects due to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) which can sometimes cause serious damage to electrical systems is presented. A hierarchical clustering scheme is used to classify the EMI-related properties that result from ESD events. The scheme can classify target objects into several groups with a tree-like structure. Furthermore, to evaluate the effect of a high-speed moving discharge one-shot discharges were repeatedly generated and the resulting ESD current measured in the time domain. Based on the measured data for charging voltages of 2, 5, 10 and 15 kV several differential properties of ESD waveforms have been examined including the maximum absolute peak level and the energy level for the three frequency regions, and the data has also been analysed using the hierarchical clustering scheme. The results show that high-speed moving discharges can increase the maximum amplitude and relative energy of ESD events and that clusters of ESD events can be effectively divided according to similarities in EMI-related properties.