Introduction
Electrostatic discharge or ESD can be described as the momentary or sudden charge of electric current that flows among 2 different objects having dissimilar electrical potentials. An ESD can be caused by either the direct contact of an electrostatic field or is induced by it. ESD is a momentary, unwanted discharge of current that can seriously damage electronic instruments. (Mardiguian, 102)
Causes of ESD
One of the major causes of ESD is static electricity that is usually generated by tribocharging. Here electric charges get separated when 2 materials come in contact with each other and then separate again. Due to tribocharging a difference in electric potential gets created which causes the ESD event. EDS can also be caused when rapid air movements take place near certain electronic instruments, like when electronic devices are used near air handling systems. ESD can also be caused by electrostatic induction. If we place an electrically charged entity together with a conductive entity that is not touching the ground then an electrostatic induction is created. Due to the charged entity an electrostatic field is created which redistributed the charges present on the other entity. Due to this positive and negative charges become excess and when a conductive path comes in contact with the first object, ESD takes place. (Lacy, 54)
Types of ESD
The most widely known type of ESD is sparks. These take place when an ionized conductive channel gets created in the air by a strong electric field. This type of an ESD can cause serious damages and even explosions. Sparks are triggered by electric fields when the number of free electrons and ions in the air rapidly increases. Due to this dielectric breakdown takes place and the air gets turned into an electric conductor. Some types of ESDs take place even without the presence of an audible or visible spark. In such cases the electric charge created is not strong enough to cause serious damages. However, such invisible types of ESD can cause certain devices to fail and even degrade. (Mardiguian, 156)
Affects of ESD
ESD can seriously affect electronic devices, like integrated circuits. Semiconductor materials like silicon are used for making ICs and these can be permanently damaged by ESDs. Most electronic components are designed to function at 5 volts and thus, when an ESD takes place the instruments cannot handle the excess voltage and become corrupt. That type of ESDs that are not noticeable does not destroy ICs instantly but creates problems in them which can cause malfunctions in the future. (Lacy, 56-61)
Conclusion ─ Prevention or precautions
ESD cannot be totally eliminated from any site but certain precautions and measures can be taken so as to prevent EDSs from taking place. Electronics instrument makers need to be very careful and ensure that no charging materials are present near devices that are sensitive towards ESD. They should ground all of their conductive materials and workers so that charges do not get built upon materials that are ESD sensitive. They should also use packing materials that are ESD safe. (Lacy, 63) The assembly workers should always wear garments which have conductive filaments along with foot and wrist straps that are also conducting so that voltages do get accumulated on the bodies of the workers. Anti-static mats should also be used so that electrical charges do not affect people on the working area.
Works Cited
Lacy, Edward A. Protecting electronic equipment from electrostatic discharge. NY: Tab Books, 2008.
Mardiguian, Michel. Electrostatic discharge: understand, simulate, and fix ESD problems. Auckland: Interference Control Technologies, 2006.