3-40
Table 3-3.Common Sources of Electrostatic Charge
OBJECT OR PROCESS
MATERIAL OR ACTIVITY
WORK SURFACES
WAXED, PAINTED, OR VARNISHED SURFACES
COMMON VINYL OR PLASTICS
FLOORS
SEALED CONCRETE
WAXED, FINISHED WOOD
COMMON VINYL TILE OR SHEETING
CLOTHES
COMMON CLEAN ROOM SMOCKS
COMMON SYNTHETIC PERSONNEL GARMENTS
NONCONDUCTIVE SHOES
VIRGIN COTTON*
CHAIRS
FINISHED WOOD
VINYL
FIBERGLASS
PACKAGING AND HANDLING
COMMON PLASTICBAGS, WRAPS, ENVELOPES
COMMON BUBBLE PACK, FOAM
COMMON PLASTIC TRAYS, PLASTIC TOTE BOXES, VIALS,
PARTS BINS
ASSEMBLY,
SPRAY CLEANERS
CLEANING, TEST
COMMON PLASTIC SOLDER SUCKERS
AND REPAIR AREAS
SOLDER IRONS WITH UNGROUNDED TIPS
SOLVENT BRUSHES (SYNTHETIC BRISTLES)
CLEANING OR DRYING BY FLUID OR EVAPORATION
TEMPERATURE CHAMBERS
CRYOGENIC SPRAYS
HEAT GUNS AND BLOWERS
SAND BLASTING
ELECTROSTATIC COPIERS
PERSONNEL ITEMS
STYROFOAM COFFEE OR PLASTIC DRINK CUPS
PLASTIC OR RUBBER HAIR COMBS OR BRUSHES
CELLOPHANE OR PLASTIC CANDY, GUM OR CIGARETTE
WRAPPERS
VINYL PURSES
*VIRGIN COTTON CAN BE A STATIC SOURCE AT LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES (BELOW 30 PERCENT)
Prevention of ESD Damage
Certified 2M technicians are trained in procedures for reducing the causes of ESD damage. The
procedures are similar for all levels of maintenance. The following procedure is an example of some of
the protective measures used to prevent ESD damage.
1. Before starting to service equipment, the technician should be grounded to discharge any static
electric charge built up on the body. This can be accomplished with the use of a test lead (a
single-wire conductor with a series resistance of 1 megohm equipped with alligator clips on each
end). One clip end is connected to the grounded equipment frame, and the other clip end is