ANSI/ESD S20.20

Need Help with ESD?

Need Help with ESD?

Perhaps you’ve come across this blog post because you find yourself asking:

  • Is my ESD Control Program in compliance?
  • Is ESD costing my company too much time, money or even future business?
  • I’m new to ESD control and don’t know where to start?
  • My company needs to start taking ESD precautions, what do I need for a basic set-up?
  • I am sure we are compliant to ANSI/ESD S20.20, but how can we confirm that?

Complete our ESD Program Checklist to start getting the answers to these questions and more:

A Minute with Miranda – SMP Ground Master

Welcome back to “A Minute with Miranda.” This week we will be covering how the Ground Master Monitor provides continuous monitoring of the path-to-ground impedance and electromagnetic integrity of eight metal ground connections of process tools in your SMT assembly work area.

The Ground Master Monitor continuously monitors eight metal tools for electromagnetic interference (EMI). EMI can cause equipment lockups and malfunction. The Ground Master Monitor will alarm if EMI is detected. The Ground Master will also alarm if the grounded metal tools have a high-frequency noise that can cause electrical overstress (EOS) damage. The Ground Master Monitor provides both a visual and audible alarm for the monitored ground connections. The Ground Master Monitor meets the Continuous Monitor requirements of ANSI/ESD S20.20 in accordance with ESD TR53.

View the Ground Master Monitor Here

Pink Poly vs Static Shielding Bags – What is the Best Packaging Solution?

With electronic components getting smaller and more sensitive, it’s important to make sure they are protected from ESD events like static discharge. Per ANSI/ESD S20.20, “Protective packaging is required to store, transport, and protect ESDS electronic items during all phases of production.” Per the new 2018 requirements for ANSI/ESD S541, the shielding requirement was changed that remaining discharge for the bags should be less than 20 nanojules.

One of the more common used bags is a low charging Pink Poly bag. These bags are made from a tinted polyethylene material with an antistatic coating that can wear away. This turns the bag insulative over time, making it noncompliant to ANSI/ESD S541 recommendations. They also lack discharge shielding protection which makes components within the bag susceptible to ESD event damage. Metallized Shielding bags are constructed from a metalized polyester film and a low charging polyethylene laminate. This provides the bags with a shielding layer that creates a Faraday cage protecting the ESD sensitive components within the bag from possible ESD event damage. The low charging inner layer and outer layer of the bag prevent tribocharging from occurring, minimizing the build up of ESD charges when handling components.

Watch this video on Pink Poly vs Static Shielding Bag Testing and learn why Metallized Static Shielding Bags are the best packaging solution offering full protection against ESD events.

Pink Poly and Static Shielding Bag Testing

Purchase or Request a Sample at StaticControl.com

A Minute with Miranda – EM Aware Monitor on SMT Assembly Line

Welcome back to “A Minute with Miranda.” This week we will be covering how the EM Aware Monitor provides continuous monitoring to detect and measure ESD Events in your STM machine.

The SCS EM Aware Monitor is a continuous monitor for three key parameters that allow you to verify your ESD process in an automated insertion machine; ESD events, change in static voltage field, and ionizer balance. The thresholds for all three of these parameters are fully adjustable by the user. The EM Aware Monitor is a miniature radio receiver tuned to detect and measure the unique waveform generated by an ESD event. The EM Aware Monitor meets the Continuous Monitor requirements of ANSI/ESD S20.20 in accordance with ESD TR1.0-01 and ANSI/ESD STM3.1. It meets the recommendations of ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20 which includes “if the products that are being produced are of such value that the knowledge of a continuous, reliable ground is needed, then continuous monitoring should be considered or even required.”

View the full range of SCS EM Aware Monitors here

A Minute with Miranda – Cleaning an ESD Worksurface Mat

Welcome back to “A Minute with Miranda.” This week we will be covering how to properly clean an ESD Worksurface Mat.

For optimum electrical performance, the ESD worksurface mat surface should be cleaned regularly using a recommended ESD mat cleaner. Per the ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20, “Ensure that cleaners that are used do not leave an electrically insulative residue common with some household cleaners.”
We recommend using Reztore ESD Surface and Mat Cleaner. Reztore is alcohol free and does not contain silicone or other substances that will leave an insulative residue or inhibit the performance of the ESD worksurface mats.

After cleaning the ESD worksurface mat with Reztore it is recommended to test the surface to ensure that all insulative contaminates such as dirt and grime have been removed from the mat.
SCS worksurface mats meet the ANSI/ESD STM4.1 and ANSI/ESD S20.20 required limit of 1 x 106 to less than 1 x 109 ohms for Rtt and Rtg and the recommendations of ANSI/ESD S4.1. View the range of Reztore Alcohol Free products here.

A Minute with Miranda – Testing an ESD Floor

Welcome back to “A Minute with Miranda.” This week we will be discussing how to test the point-to-point resistance (Rtt) and the resistance-to-ground (Rtg) of a Conductive ESD Floor.

ANSI/ESD S20.20 requires initial and periodic verification of an ESD Flooring System. ANSI/ESD STM7.1 outlines the test methods applicable for the Conductive flooring material. For the Point-to-Point resistance (Rtt) test the flooring will be tested with a resistance measurement meter and
2 x 5lbs cylindrical electrodes positioned 36” apart. The value for the test should be less than or equal to 1 x 106 ohms.

The Resistance Point-to-Ground (Rtg) test should be conducted with a resistance measurement meter and 1 x 5lbs cylindrical electrode. One lead from the meter should be connected to the ground point and the other lead will be connected to the electrode. The test value should be less than or equal to 1 x 106 ohms.

View the full range of SCS Surface Resistance Testers here.

A Minute with Miranda – Testing Resistance Point-to-Point Rpp for an ESD Smock

Welcome back to “A Minute with Miranda.” This week we will be discussing how to test the point-to-point resistance (or Rpp) of an ESD Smock.

ANSI/ESD S20.20 requires initial and periodic verification of ESD Control items – this includes ESD Smocks. ANSI/ESD STM2.1 outlines the test method applicable for ESD Smocks: the ESD Smock is to be placed on an insulative surface and 2 x 5lbs cylindrical electrodes are to be positioned on each cuff before taking the measurement. The Resistance Point-to-Point Rpp of the groundable smock needs to be less than 1 x 109 ohms.

View the full range of SCS ESD Smocks here.

A Minute with Miranda – How to Wear a Wrist Strap

Welcome back to “A Minute with Miranda.” This week we will be covering how to properly wear a wrist strap.

ANSI/ESD S20.20 requires seated personnel to be connected to the grounding / equipotential bonding system via a wrist strap. The total resistance of the Wrist Strap System needs to be less than 3.5 x 10^7 ohms. The key to a wrist strap is the intimate contact of the band to the skin and that the coil cord is connected to ground. Wrist straps need to be tested at least daily before handling any ESD sensitive devices.

Operators can choose between elastic and metal wristbands. Elastic wristbands are comfortable to wear and easy to adjust. Metal wristbands generally last longer and are easier to clean. View the full range of SCS Wrist Straps here.

A Minute with Miranda – Testing an ESD Worksurface Mat

Welcome back to “A Minute with Miranda.” This week we will be covering how to perform the Rtt and Rtg test on an ESD Worksurface Mat.

Before using a worksurface mat in an EPA environment, you need to verify that the mat will meet the ANSI/ESD S20.20 Worksurface Requirements.
For both the Rtt and Rtg test the worksurface should test between 1 x 106 to less than 1 x 109 ohms. The test should be performed in accordance to the ANSI/ESD S4.1 Standards.

SCS worksurface mats meet the ANSI/ESD STM4.1 and ANSI/ESD S20.20 required limit of 1 x 10^6 to less than 1 x 10^9 ohms for Rtt and Rtg and the recommendations of ANSI/ESD S4.1.

View our complete SCS Static Worksurface mat offering here.