FAQ: What are ESD guidelines?

ESD guidelines, or standards, vary across industries. Why is this? Because different applications require different specifications for static control. Electronics manufacturing and assembly (SMT) follow standard ANSI/ESD S20.20. S20.20 requires every person in an electronics manufacturing or assembly facility to wear special ESD-protective footwear. The resistor inside ESD footwear protects the wearing, allowing the floor to measure within a much wider resistance range – any measurement under 1.0 x 10E9 is acceptable – without concern for personnel safety.

In industries such as telecommunications, where people do not wear ESD footwear, static must dissipate at a more measured pace; guidelines for these industries specify floors with higher electrical resistance. Telecom facilities follow Motorola R52 and ATIS 0600321.2015. U.S. flight control towers and facilities using FAA equipment follow FAA 019f. And government facilities follow S20.20 or their own government standards. 

Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook
Reddit
Pinterest
Email

More FAQs

Photo shows an ongoing ESD epoxy flooring installation.

What is ESD flooring?

ESD floors dissipate static safely, protecting electronics from accidental damage due to electrostatic discharge (ESD) events.

Read More
Image shows a sheet of yellow stickers with a caution about electrostatic sensitive devices.

What does ESD mean?

ESD stands for electrostatic discharge. Minute ESD events, too small for humans to perceive, can damage electronic components.

Read More
Photo shows a circuit board with sparks between two components.

How can you prevent ESD?

Preventing ESD requires a well-thought-out ESD prevention program. What is required will be dependent on the application and environment.

Read More
Photo is of panelled wood flooring.

Is wood antistatic?

No, wood is not antistatic. You can learn which materials are antistatic and which are not by looking at our Triboelectric chart.

Read More
Play Video

StaticWorx high-performance static-control floors protect electronic components, explosives, and high-speed computers from damage caused by static electricity. ESD flooring is part of a system. Choices should always be based on objective, researched evidence. When you partner with us, we look at all possible items that may need to integrate with the floor, and, focusing on your goals and objectives, help you find the right floor for your application.