Your affordable choice in ESD control and Particle products
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Your affordable choice in ESD control and Particle products |
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ESD (= electrostatic discharge) - electrically sensitive areas EGB ( = electrostatically endangered construction elements) anti-static. We are all familiar with ESD. It is a spark which jumps from one charged surface to another conductive surface. Whenever we shake another person's hand, this type of discharge occurs.
From walking on a carpet, for instance (friction). One of the surfaces (the sole of the shoe) picks up electrons from the other surface (carpet) and, in so doing, becomes negatively charged. The other surface remains positively charged. On non-conductive materials, such as all plastics, for instance, the charges do not move. As they are unable to flow, they are called "static charges". Due to its layer of sweat, human skin is one of the best conductors we know. It is quickly able to pick up a static charge, store it and then release it in the form of a dangerous spark discharge.
It is estimated that great damage is caused by ESD, particularly in the field of microelectronics. Semi-conductors and printed circuit boards, which have been rendered defective as a result of exposure to ESD, are fitted into computers, telephone sets or medical equipment. This causes downtime and repair delays with total worldwide costs estimated to amount to billions of dollars every year. Static discharges (spark generation) can also cause explosions, in the paint industry for instance.