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How can manufacturers stop ESD damage?

What do manufacturers do to stop this? Well, there are a range of measures they take all of which are covered in an international standard IEC 61340-5-1.

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This standard specifies general requirements for the design, use and control of a protected area so that electrostatic sensitive devices (ESDS), can be handled with minimal risk of damage from procurement through to end of life. It covers:

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  • Signs and markings

  • The Electrostatic Protected Area (EPA) including requirements for protective equipment, construction of the EPA, working practices, and field work

  • Protective packaging

  • Training requirements

  • Quality responsibilities

  • Periodic audit instructions

ESD and Precision Tools.

What is ESD?

For hand tools it means that in the Electrostatic protected area (EPA) the use of non-ESD hand tools is prohibited.

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But what exactly are ESD hand tools?

ESD hand tools have handles constructed from a special polypropylene material.

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This material allows the flow of electrical energy, but at a very controlled rate - A rate that will not let sparks develop.

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The material used has to have been tested and certified before it can be claimed to be ESD compliant and naturally all C.K ESD compliant products use certified materials.

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The sign for ESD compliant tools is:

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