Part 1: ESD Protected Work Area

An essential introduction to Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) and how to manage it in sensitive electronics environments.

This guide explains the fundamentals of Electrostatic Discharge (ESD), including how static electricity is generated, the risks it poses to electronic components, and the typical causes of ESD-related damage. It introduces key preventive measures used within an ESD Protected Area (EPA), such as wrist straps, foot grounders, matting, grounding cords, and protective clothing. The guide also outlines relevant industry standards such as ANSI/ESD S20.20 and IEC 61340-5-1, and explains the meaning of ESD warning symbols. It’s the first in a multi-part series designed to help manufacturers and technicians reduce ESD risks and maintain compliant, static-safe workspaces.

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What is ESD, and why is it important?

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is the sudden flow of electricity between two electrically charged objects, often triggered by contact, separation, or friction. In environments handling sensitive electronics, even a discharge too small to be felt can cause severe and costly damage, such as component failure, reduced product reliability, and hidden faults that appear in the field.

This introductory guide to ESD protected work areas includes:

What ESD is, how it occurs, and why it matters

Understand the science behind static electricity and how everyday actions like walking or handling materials can generate thousands of volts.

Why ESD protection is essential in electronics manufacturing

Learn how ESD can silently damage microelectronics, and why prevention is more cost-effective than repair.

How to control ESD in an ESD Protected Area (EPA)

Explore key ESD-safe tools and procedures, including wrist straps, foot grounders, grounding cords, matting, clothing, testers, protective packaging, and EPA signage.

What it means for a material, tool, or area to be ‘ESD safe’

Know the difference between conductors and insulators, and how to create a workspace that dissipates static charge effectively.

The key standards behind ESD compliance

Gain an overview of leading global standards, including ANSI/ESD S20.20, IEC 61340-5-1, JEDEC JESD625-A, and IPC-A-610, and learn how they apply across various industries such as electronics, aerospace, and automotive.