ESD security.

Inelco Hunter has announced the availability of the Desco A/C Outlet Analyser & Wrist Strap Tester. These Analyser/Testers ensures ESD protection and security by verifying proper A/C outlet wiring, providing a ground point and testing the path-to-ground integrity of an operator’s wrist strap.

Two models are offered: either with a UK Type G Plug or with a European Type F Plug. The Testers connect with the Desco 770043 Multi-Ground Hub. The Operator’s Path-To-Ground is tested from 750 kilohms to 35 megohms per IEC 61340-5-1 and ANSI/ESD S20.20 Wrist Strap Limits.

They feature both visual and audible indicators, while the displays show pass/fail conditions for the outlet and pass condition for the wrist strap. They are NIST Calibrated with accepted procedures and standards traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The Testers provide a verified common ground point within the EPA for ESD Control items such as mats, carts, tools etc.

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Static management program software.

Desco Europe distributor Inelco Hunter has announced the availability of the Static Management Program (SMP) software, which continuously monitors the Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) process control system throughout all stages of manufacturing. The SMP app captures data from SCS workstations, production equipment and any other equipment where ESD events could occur. SMP continuously monitors every event, even down to fine detail such as a single fan ioniser.

The App can be accessed remotely from anywhere in the world. It provides a real-time picture of critical manufacturing processes, pinpointing areas of concern in order to help prevent ESD events. Quantifiable data highlights trends, thus enabling a proactive approach to ESD control, whilst at the same time testing and proving the efficiency of the existing ESD process control system.

The ESD risk is present during every stage of manufacture: handling, assembly, testing, shipping and so on. Electronic devices are incredibly sensitive, and damage to components can occur without any sense of static shock to the operative – and will therefore go unnoticed. By continuously monitoring ESD events, the SMP app aids the manufacture of dependable products, improves yields, increases automation efficiency and provides a measurable return on investment.

Inelco Hunter stocks a broad range of Desco Europe ESD products, covering every aspect of ESD protection from bags and labels, protective clothing and footwear to grounding equipment and work surface mats, ESD tape and wrist straps. For a full and comprehensive list, visit the Inelco Hunter website or contact them directly.

Inelco Hunter provides in-depth engineering support to ensure rapid implementation of the recommended ESD Compliance solutions. This added-value support is at the core of Inelco’s philosophy, and has been for the last 30 years, setting them apart from the "stock and ship" distributors.

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Static control report.

Inelco Hunter has announced the availability of a "No strings attached” Free ESD Static Control Survey and Report. The written Report provides feedback on existing ESD Control programmes. There is no contract to sign - Inelco Hunter simply asks for the opportunity to quote on any ESD items that would improve the current ESD programme. Inelco Hunter will offer a discount on any Desco ESD products ordered as a direct result of the survey.

Inelco Hunter stocks Desco Europe ESD products - a very broad range covering every aspect of ESD protection: Bags, Labels, Monitors, Flooring, Footwear, Garments, Gloves, Grounding Equipment, Masks, Ionisation, Meters, Packaging, Soldering Supplies, ESD Tape, Work Surface Matting, Workstation Acces-sories, Wrist Straps and Coiled Cords.

The ever-growing trend of component miniaturisation has greatly increased the potential damage caused by electrostatic discharge. The discharges are small, but the heat released can cause damage to components, potentially resulting in malfunction. The ESD risk is present during every stage of manufacture: handling, assembly, testing, shipping and so on. Damage to components will occur without any sense of static shock to the operative and will go unnoticed.

Using EN 61340-5-1 and its User Guide CLC/TR 61340-5-2, an ESD specialist will take onsite measurements and make observations of the existing ESD control plan. The ESD survey will verify ESD products meeting EN-61340-5 standards. The written report will list applicable EN61340-5-1 and -2 citations and indicate whether the current ESD control programme is in compliance and indicate where it's not.

Protecting components that are sensitive to electrostatic discharge is becoming increasingly essential and control products are needed to prevent the potential damage. The Free ESD Report will list the products needed to achieve EN-61340-5 standards.

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Stricter ESD control at components distribution centre.

Anglia Components has announced significant enhancements to the stringent ESD protection measures at its Distribution Centre including integrating anti-static wrist band monitoring with access control.

Staff are only able to enter the Distribution Centre if their anti-static wrist band is compliant. When they swipe their cards for access they must also attach their wrist band to a wall-mounted unit for testing. The unit records the resistance measurement and indicates whether the band has passed or failed. Employees failing the test are physically prevented from entering the Distribution Centre until their wrist band has been retested and passed. This procedure takes only a couple of seconds and is carried out each and every time an operator re-enters the Distribution Centre, for example following lunch and tea breaks. A full and auditable record of all measurements is maintained.

This new measure allows Anglia to clearly demonstrate that it is fully compliant with IEC61340-5, in terms of testing wrists straps at least daily and maintaining records to provide evidence of conformity.

Steve Rawlins, CEO of Anglia, commented, “Anglia has always taken ESD protection extremely seriously and we are proud that with the installation of this new system we have achieved a level of protection and control that is ahead of the industry. The new unit rigorously enforces our stringent standards, and provides detailed compliance certification records to provide evidence of conformity.”
“As before, Anglia has taken working practices that are a necessity for Hi-Rel medical and defence customers and extended them to our full customer base, so that everyone sees the benefit.”

At the same time, Anglia has standardised the layout of ESD grounding points across all the workstations, to ensure that visibility of the ESD cables and connections can be quickly and easily checked by the operator. The cables are colour coded to ensure the correct resistance to the bench and the operator wrist band.

Protection from electrostatic charge

Various solutions have been developed for protection from electrostatic charge and to combat it effectively. One major problem exists where a plug-in board has been tested immediately prior to insertion into a live system under hot-swap conditions. Rittal now have alternative solutions to combat the discharge under these circumstances.

A new ESD discharge facility effectively removes all built-up charge from the front panel of the plug-in board and rapidly brings the panel to protective earth potential. Achieved via a heavy duty contact embedded in the guide rail, which is in permanent electrical contact with the chassis, the new system has been tested to IEEE1101.11 and UL1950 to 30 Ampere capacity. Initially designed as a rear I/O guide rail for 80mm assemblies, the high current discharge contact and associated guide may also be used for front mounted panels where excessive static build-up is likely.

The new guides include the facility to safely discharge any remaining static or operational charge (such as that stored in capacitors) from boards being inserted into the system directly following a test under power. For this, an additional grounding clip is fastened to the guide rail in the direct path of the PCB which needs to be designed in accordance with IEEE guidelines.

Additionally, the guides have chambers at the front for the insertion of coding keys to prevent incorrect board insertion when used in conjunction with IEEE type lever handles on the plug-in board / front panel. When used at both the top and bottom of a 6U board/front panel combination, these provide almost 4100 different coding variants.