Performance Standards

ESD resistance may be specified at two levels: the product level and the component level. Product level performance standards are typically much higher than those of the components from which the product is made. Product level standards may reach 15 kV, although most integrated circuits are specified at 2 kV. Achieving 15-kV performance in a product built with 2-kV components requires good product design technique.^[20]

^[11]Electrostatic Discharge Association, ANSI/ESD-S20.20–1999: ESD Association Standard for the Development of an Electrostatic Discharge Control Program for Protection of Electrical and Electronic Parts, Assemblies and Equipment (Excluding Electrically Initiated Explosive Devices). Rome, NY: Electrostatic Discharge Association. 1999.

^[12]It is interesting to note that the stated rise time of an ESD event has been decreasing in the literature over the years, as measurement equipment improves.

^[13]A. M. J. Mitchell, Analyzing the double exponential pulse, EMC Test Design, September 1994, pp. 27–30.

^[14]International Electrotechnical Commission, IEC 61000–4–2: Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Part 4–2: Testing and Measurement Techniques — Electrostatic Discharge Immunity Test. Edition 1.1. Geneva: IEC. May 1999.

^[15]Electrostatic Discharge Association, ESD-STM5.1–2001: ESD Association Standard Test Method for Electrostatic Discharge Sensitivity Testing — Human Body Model (HBM) Component Level. Rome, NY: Electrostatic Discharge Association. 2001.

^[16]Electrostatic Discharge Association, ANSI/ESD-STM5.2–1999: ESD Association Standard Test Method for Electrostatic Discharge Sensitivity Testing — Machine Model — Component Level. Rome, NY: Electrostatic Discharge Association. 1999.

^[17]Electrostatic Discharge Association, ANSI/ESD-STM5.3.1–1999: ESD Association Standard Test Method for Electrostatic Discharge Sensitivity Testing — Charged Device Model (CDM) Component Level. Rome, NY: Electrostatic Discharge Association. 1999.

^[18]Stanley Weitz, New trends in ESD test methods, EMC Test Design, February 1993, pp. 22–26.

^[19]P. Richman, Handheld MIL-STD-883C ESD PCB testing, EOS/ESD Technol., February/March 1992.

^[20]Warren Boxleitner, The ESD threat to PCB-mounted ICs, EOS/ESD Technol., October/November 1991.