ESDA Threshold Vol 34 No. 1 ESD compliance and tools in Workstation

Q1) I was reviewing the standard TR.53.15 section 10 Seating, I want to do the compliance verification but in the standard does not refer to how many points of the chair I should measure. Could you guide me to know how many minimum points I should measure in the chair, to perform the compliance verification? The most recent edition of TR53 says to measure from the seat or the area with most wear on the chair. It also suggests that additional measurements can be made (not required) from a footrest (if so equipped), back or arm rests (if so equipped). It is up to you to make additional measurements beyond the seat area if you want. Q2) I am looking for additional information on what it means that a product is listed as “ESD Safe”. Is there a set of discharge tests that it has undergone to justify this label? The main idea and justification behind calling a tool or device “ESD Safe”, generally means that the item is not considered a source of an electric field when in use. This is done most often by making the device out of conductive or dissipative materials so that they are groundable when held in the hand of a grounded person or when they are connected to a power source and use the electrical system ground (equipment grounding conductor in the electrical system). Sometimes devices and tools will have a bonding or grounding point so that a wire can be attached that is then terminated at a grounding point (common point ground) at the workstation. This is true for the solder fan you show in your note. The case of the device is made from dissipative materials so that probably means that is connected somehow within the device to the electrical system ground. This device and others should not have a significant electrical field when they are being used. This electrical field can be measured with electrostatic field meters or electrostatic voltmeters.There are rules established for the electrical field allowed in an approved ESD control workstation. Our standard ANSI/ESDS20.20 defines these rules. If you have any heart burning question relating to EOS/ESD, please feel free to email to info@everfeed.com.sg . Thank you and have a nice day ahead!!!