ESD audit EPA @ETECH HQ

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For today (July 24), the periodic ESD measurements of furniture, tools and floor in the EPA is planned. Like all other companies in the electronics industry, we intend to regularly measure and record measurements. The emphasis must be on a regularly recurring measurement moment. The IEC-61340 provides guidelines for how often an ESD item should be measured. For example, the ESD floor must be measured 4x per year according to the guideline. Many companies do this only once. But, if you want to deviate from the standard, you need convincing proof that more measuring moments are unnecessary. Of course it is also possible that you will measure more often as prescribed than what is stated in the IEC-61340. If you require any further assistance, please feel free to contact us.

EPA 

An EPA (ESD Protected Area) must meet certain requirements to provide protection against static electricity. The audit is of great importance to provide an overview of the level of protection and effectiveness of the ESD prevention system used.

IEC-61340

Guidelines from NEN-EN-IEC 61340-5-1 apply to activities such as: manufacturing, processing, assembling, installing, packaging, labeling, maintenance, testing, inspection, transport or other treatment of electrical or electronic parts , assemblies and equipment susceptible to damage from electrostatic discharges greater than or equal to 100 V human body model (HBM).

F(lo)or example

For example our ESD floor. This is stated in the IEC-61340-5-2, that you must perform at least one measurement per 100m², with a minimum of 6 measurements per floor. Our floor space is smaller, it is 30m². So I had to take 6 measurements to comply with the IEC-61340 guidelines. The resistance value (Rgp) is measured between object (floor) and earth.

Compliance with all guidelines cited in NEN-EN-IEC-61340 does not automatically mean that all ESD risks have been removed. Compliance with the above guidelines does significantly reduce the ESD risks.

We call this an acceptable risk because we can never get / guarantee 100% protection.

ESD services

Do you need help or advice regarding this item? Or do you want to outsource an ESD audit or that ETECH training completely relieves you with our ESD services, please feel free to contact our Team Business Support.

Note for the curious among us, this periodic measurement has been completed successfully, and another measurement is already planned in Q4.

This way the components are spoiled with us! 😉

Greetz,

Ron