3-42
8. When moving an ESDS device or assembly, always touch (with bare skin) the surface on which it
rests for at least one second before picking it up. Before placing it on any surface, touch the
surface with your free hand for at least one second. The bare skin contact provides a safe
discharge path for charges accumulated while you are moving around.
9. While servicing equipment containing ESD devices, do not handle or touch materials such as
plastic, vinyl, synthetic textiles, polished wood, fiberglass, or similar items which create static
charges; or, be sure to repeat the grounding action with the bare hands after contacting these
materials. These materials are prime electrostatic generators.
10. If possible, avoid repairs that require soldering at the equipment level. Soldering irons must have
heater/tips assemblies that are grounded to ac electrical ground. Do not use ordinary plastic solder
suckers (special antistatic solder suckers are commercially available).
11. Ground the leads of test equipment momentarily before you energize the test equipment and
before you probe ESD items.
Grounded Work Benches
Work benches on which ESDS items will be placed and that will be contacted by personnel should
have ESD protective work surfaces. These protective surfaces should cover the areas where ESD items
will be placed. Personnel ground straps are also necessary for ESD protective work bench surfaces. These
straps prevent people from discharging a static charge through an ESDS item to the work bench surface.
The work bench surface should be connected to ground through a ground cable. The resistance in the
bench top ground cable should be located at or near the point of contact with the work bench top. The
resistance should be high enough to limit any leakage current to 5 milliamperes or less; this is taking into
consideration the highest voltage source within reach of grounded people and all parallel resistances to
ground, such as wrist ground straps, table tops, and conductive floors. See figure 3-33 for a typical ESD
ground work bench.
