ESD standards

ESD protection guaranteed compliant

Protection of electronic components

against electrostatic phenomena

ESD standard IEC (DIN EN) 61340-5-1

What does the ESD standard include?

The specifications, limit values and test methods for generally applicable ESD protection issues are defined in the public standards and regulations.

The ESD standard IEC (DIN EN) 61340-5-1 provides the necessary administrative and technical requirements (creation, implementation and maintenance) of a control program against electrostatic discharge (ESD).

They are important for the development of an ESD control program plan and the establishment of ESD protection zones (EPA – Electrostatic Protected Area).

Standard-compliant ESD protection is a technical standard and is required by companies that produce or handle electronic assemblies as part of quality assurance.

To VDE-Verlag: Here you can purchase the individual standards as a detailed PDF.

Different countries - different names, but the same rules!

  1. ESD standard IEC (DIN EN) 61340-5-1 with subgroups
    Electrostatic – Part 5-1: Protection of electronic components against electrostatic phenomena – General requirements.
    Regional application:
    Worldwide, but especially in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
  2. ANSI/ESD S20.20-20 with subgroups
    ESD Association Standard for the Development of an Electrostatic Discharge Control Program. Protection of Electrical and Electronic Parts, Assemblies and Equipment (Excluding Electrically Initiated Exposive Devices).
    Regional application:
    Worldwide, mainly in North America.

The physical considerations of these two sets of rules are the same and the limit values have been harmonized with IEC 61340-5-1:2016.

Overview of important ESD standards with subgroups

DIN EN 61340-5-1
Electrostatics – Part 5-1: Protection of electronic components against electrostatic phenomena – General requirements.

DIN EN 61340-5-2
Electrostatics – Part 5-2: Protection of electronic components against electrostatic phenomena – User’s guide.

DIN EN 61340-5-3
Electrostatics – Part 5-3: Protection of electronic components against electrostatic phenomena – Characteristics and requirements for the classification of packaging used for components sensitive to electrostatic discharge.

DIN IEC/TR 61340-5-5
Electrostatics – Part 5-5: Packaging systems in electronics manufacturing

DIN EN 61340-4-1
Electrostatics – Part 4-1: Standard test methods for special applications(electrical resistance of floor coverings and installed flooring).

DIN EN 61340-4-2
Electrostatics – Part 4-2: Standard test methods for special applications – Methods for the determination of electrostatic properties of textiles.

DIN EN 61340-4-3
Electrostatics – Part 4-3: Standard test methods for special applications(footwear).

DIN EN 61340-4-4
Electrostatics – Part 4-4: Standard test methods for special applications – Classification of flexible debris containers from an electrostatic point of view.

DIN EN 61340-4-5
Electrostatic – Part 4-5: Standard test methods for special applications (Methods for characterizing the electrostatic protective effect of footwear and flooring in combination with a person).

DIN EN 61340-4-6
Electrostatics – Part 4-6: Standard test methods for special applications – HGB.

DIN EN 61340-4-7
Electrostatics – Part 4-7: Standard test methods for special applications – Ionization.

DIN EN 61340-4-8
Electrostatics – Part 4-8: Standard test methods for special applications – Shielding effects against electrostatic discharge – Bags.

DIN EN 61340-4-9
Electrostatics – Part 4-9: Standard test methods for special applications – Clothing.

DIN EN 61340-2-1
Electrostatics – Part 2-1: Methods of measurement – Ability of materials and articles to dissipate electrostatic charges.

DIN EN 61340-2-3
Electrostatics – Part 2-3: Test methods for the determination of the resistance and resistivity of solid planar materials used to prevent electrostatic charging.

DIN EN 61340-3-1
Electrostatics – Part 3-1: Methods for simulating electrostatic effects – Test pulse shapes of electrostatic discharge for the human body model (HBM ).

DIN EN 61340-3-2
Electrostatics – Part 3-2: Methods for the simulation of electrostatic effects. Test pulse shapes of the electrostatic discharge for the machine model (MM).

ANSI/ESD S20.20 with subgroups
ESD Association Standard for the Development of an Electrostatic Discharge Control Program. Protection of Electrical and Electronic Parts, Assemblies and Equipment (Excluding Electrically Initiated Exposive Devices).

The latest measurement technology for use in your EPA

CDM (Charged Device Model)

Discharge of a component charged by induction.
The CDM is described in detail in the ANSI /ESD STM 5.3 standard.

Conductive (conductive)

Electrostatic conductive = R < 10KΩ

Dissipative (dissipative)

Electrostatic dissipative = R ≥ 10 KΩ < 100GΩ

ETUC

Electrostatic sensitive component.

EBP

Earth Bonding Point is the marked connection for all ESD earthing measures; must not be used as a protective earth conductor.

EPO

The Electrostatic Protected Area is an area equipped with ESD protection measures in which ESDS can be manufactured, processed, packaged, transported or stored without the risk of electrostatic damage.

ESD

Electrostatic Discharge, is the electrostatic discharge as potential equalization between charged bodies through direct contact or flashover.

ESD models

Idealized models are used in an attempt to simulate real ESD discharges and define test methods for determining component sensitivity. The most important models are HBM, CDM and MM.

  • HBM (Human Body Model)
    Discharge of a charged person onto a component.
    The HBM is described in detail in the standard DIN EN 61340-3-1 /ESD STM 5.1
  • MM (Machine Model)
    Discharge of a charged, insulated conductor onto a component.
    The MM is described in detail in the standard DIN EN 61340-3-2 /ESD STM 5.2.
  • CDM (Charged Device Model)
    Discharge of a component charged by induction.
    The CDM is described in detail in the ANSI /ESD STM 5.3 standard.

ESDS (Electrostatic Discharge Sensitive Device)

Designation for components or assemblies that can be damaged by electrostatic discharges during handling, processing or transportation.

Electrostatic charge

Electrostatic charging is caused by friction or separation of materials, also known as “triboelectricity”. The strength and polarity of the charge essentially depends on the materials and the ambient humidity.

HBM (Human Body Model)

Discharge of a charged person onto a component.
The HM is described in detail in the standard DIN EN 61340-3-1 /ESD STM 5.1.

Ionization

Positive and negative ions generated by the corona effect under high voltage neutralize electrostatic charges. Use: mainly for discharging non-conductors.

Insulator

Materials are insulating if the surface resistance is greater than 1011 ohms.

MM (Machine Model)

Discharge of a charged, insulated conductor onto a component.
The MM is described in detail in the standard DIN EN 61340-3-2 /ESD STM 5.2.

Resistance measurement

Measuring method for resistance measurement (ESD):

Material testing:

  • Surface resistance (Rs)
    Resistance of the material surface
  • Resistance from point to point (Rp-p)
    Resistance from point to point on the surface of the material
  • Volume resistance (Rv)
    Resistance through the material to be measured

Testing the function:

Leakage resistance (Rg)
Resistance from point to system ground “Ground”