Photograph of an ohmmeter with wires attached and one probe on a piece of carpet.

Testing ESD Flooring

In this hub, we’ve linked to useful information to introduce testing ESD flooring. Our information and advice is presented in multi-media formats, including articles, podcast episodes and videos.

You can learn about our GroundSafe Loaner Program here. We’ll loan equipment to test and certify your new ESD floor and even talk you through it.

If you have a project you’d like to discuss, call 617-923-2000 or email [email protected]. 

Videos

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Background image is a photograph of Kimberly Petraccaro of StaticWorx standing behind a table. In the foreground at the bottom are two boxes. The top is a bright blue and includes the text “Static Shorts With StaticWorx: Right from the den” and the StaticWorx logo. The second is a dark blue-gray and includes the text in white: “GroundSafe: Testing ESD Flooring Before & After Installation”
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Standards and Test Methods

Graphic labeled “System Resistance to Ground”. The illustration below shows a woman (labeled “Person wearing ESD shoes”) holding a wand (labeled “Metal want”). The floor beneath her has the ground symbol extending from it and is labeled “Grounded ESD floor”. The metal wand is connected to an ohmmeter (labeled “Wide ranging ohmmeter”). The ohmmeter also has a connection to ground.
Illustration on a gray background titled "ANSI/ESD STM7.1 Resistance Tests". On the right side a "Point to Point" test set up is shown, with two probes connected to a surface analog resistance meter and placed 36" apart on the surface being tested. On the right side, the "Point to Ground" set up is shown with a surface analog resistance meter connected to ground and also to a probe on the surface being tested.
A diagram that shows how the point to ground (Rtg) resistance test works. It shows that an ohmmeter is connected to a probe on one side and a groundable point on the other. The text on the diagram reads: Resistance to Groundable Point (Rtg) ANSI/ESD STM 7.1. The ohmmeter is identified and then next to the lead running from it to the probe is a note reading "Leads should be isolated from ground". Next to the probe is a note that reads "Electrode–should be placed on the floor in designated positions"
llustration of a walking body voltage test being performed. The header text reads “ANSI/ESD STM 97.2 Measurement of Voltage on a Person While Walking on a Floor” The diagram underneath shows a person standing on material (labelled “material under test”with added notes “Gap 1cm (0.5 in)” and “Support material insulate if required”. The person and the grounding point of the material are connected by a lead to a charge plate monitor. The monitor is connected to a graphical recording device. Underneath is a graphic showing how someone should walk across the material for the walking body test to be conducted correctly.
The diagram shows a walking body voltage test in progress. A figure stands on the ground with a cord attached from them to a voltage measuring device. A cord is also connected from the device to ground. The note by the connecting wire reads "cord attached to read". The note next to the measuring device reads "voltage measuring device".
Learn about standards and test methods
Visit our ESD Flooring and Standards directory

StaticWorx Test Kits

StaticWorx Analog Surface Resistance Test Kit is a portable battery-powered instrument designed to measure resistance point-to-point (RTT) and surface to ground (RTG). 

View the analogue surface resistance test kit

StaticWorx Walking Test Kit System helps determine the risk of equaling or exceeding damaging or hazardous HBM discharge voltages in static sensitive facilities.

View the walking test kit page

StaticWorx Portable Walking Test Kit System helps determine the risk of equaling or exceeding damaging or hazardous HBM discharge voltages in static sensitive facilities.

View the portable walking test kit page

StaticWorx Analog Surface Resistance Test Kit is a portable battery-powered instrument designed to measure resistance point-to-point (RTT) and surface to ground (RTG). 

View the analogue surface resistance test kit

StaticWorx Walking Test Kit System helps determine the risk of equaling or exceeding damaging or hazardous HBM discharge voltages in static sensitive facilities.

View the walking test kit page

StaticWorx Portable Walking Test Kit System helps determine the risk of equaling or exceeding damaging or hazardous HBM discharge voltages in static sensitive facilities.

View the portable walking test kit page

Useful Articles

In Compliance Magazine: Qualifying ESD Flooring

15 min read
Why You Can’t Rely on Resistance Properties to Predict Charge Generation
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StaticWorx Blog: ESD Flooring Qualification Phase: Resistance Testing

5 min read
Qualification is the first step in selecting an ESD floor. Learn how to perform resistance tests to be sure the floor meets standards.
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In Compliance Magazine: Why Resistance Requirements Differ by Industry and Why Standards Matter

16 min read
Electricity flows through all paths – intended and unintended. We must keep this in mind when we verify the resistance of installed ESD vinyl or carpet tiles.
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Blog Post: 3 Best Ways to Test an ESD Floor to Ensure Reliability

ESD floors are designed to prevent the buildup of static electricity and to dissipate charges from the shoes of people walking on the floor to earth ground. To ensure that an ESD floor is functioning properly, it is important to test it regularly using appropriate methods.

The following test methods ensure that your ESD floor is functioning properly and providing adequate protection against electrostatic discharge.

Read 3 Best Ways to Test an ESD Floor to Ensure Reliability

The StaticWorx Podcast: Static Bursts

Visit the Static Bursts Page

Articles and Information

Visit Our Technical Article Hub

Get in Touch

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StaticWorx Flooring Products

A completed installation of ShadowFX static-dissipative (ESD) carpet tile (Fields & Stone range) in a lobby
A completed installation of AmeriWorx conductive (ESD) vinyl tile flooring in an electronics manufacturing facility
Photo is a cropped shot of a laboratory facility with a completed ESD rubber floor installation.
An in progress installation of GroundWorx Ultra generation 3 ESD epoxy flooring in an electronics manufacturing and assembly facility.
Completed installation of GroundLock Extreme ESD interlocking tiles at a manufacturing facility

Useful Resources

Background graphic is a still from the StaticWorx GroundSafe ESD Flooring – Your Trusted Partner explainer animation. In the foreground at the bottom are two boxes. The top is a bright blue with the StaticWorx logo and "GroundSafe ESD Flooring" underneath in white. The second is a dark blue-gray and includes the text in white: “GroundWorx ESD Flooring – Your Trusted Partner”
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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.