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Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Testing

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is the sudden flow of electricity between two objects with differing electrical potentials, often caused by contact, an electrical short, or dielectric breakdown. A common example is when a person accumulates static charge by walking across a carpeted floor; upon touching a conductive surface, the charge is discharged — felt as a small shock.

In industrial and electronic environments, ESD can be far more serious. A sufficiently strong discharge can damage or degrade sensitive components, disrupt normal operation, or cause permanent system failure. Therefore, effective ESD immunity testing is critical in ensuring the safety, durability, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of electronic products.

ESD Generator Equipment

Our electrostatic discharge generator fully meets or exceeds the requirements of IEC 61000-4-2 and GB/T 17626.2. It is designed for precise control of discharge voltage, waveform integrity, and repetition rate. Key features include:

  • Adjustable voltage settings from ±200 V to ±30 kV
  • Compliance with required waveform rise time (0.7 – 1 ns) and current peak (3.75 A at 4 kV)
  • Interchangeable discharge tips (for contact and air testing)
  • Ergonomic design with intuitive user interface and test logging capabilities

Standards Followed:

  • IEC 61000-4-2
  • GB/T 17626.2 This is the Chinese equivalent of IEC 61000-4-2, aligning with the same principles and test methodology, and is used for regulatory compliance in China.
Electro static discharge Testing Chamber

The ESD testing procedure typically involves the following steps:

1. Test Environment Setup Testing is conducted in a controlled laboratory environment with appropriate grounding and shielding to minimize interference.
2. Equipment Configuration An ESD generator (ESD simulator gun) is configured to deliver the required discharge voltages. Common test levels include:
  • Contact discharge: ±2 kV, ±4 kV, ±6 kV, ±8 kV
  • Air discharge: ±2 kV, ±4 kV, ±8 kV, ±15 kV
  • Higher levels may be used for more rugged equipment.
3. Test Points Selection Discharges are applied to accessible conductive parts, ports, enclosures, and interface surfaces where ESD might realistically occur.
4. Discharge Application
  • Contact discharge: Direct connection of the ESD generator to the device under test (DUT).
  • Air discharge: Used when contact is not feasible; the generator tip is brought close to the DUT until a spark occurs.
5. Performance Monitoring The DUT is monitored for:
  • Temporary malfunctions (e.g., resets, glitches)
  • Permanent damage or degradation
  • Compliance with predefined performance criteria (per IEC 61000-4-2)
6. Test Repetition Multiple discharges are applied at each test point, repeated at both positive and negative polarities to ensure robustness.

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