Electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection is only effective when it is properly tested and verified. Without routine testing, grounding systems, ESD footwear, wrist straps, mats, and packaging materials may fail silently—leaving sensitive electronics unprotected.
ESD testing ensures that your ESD control program remains compliant, functional, and reliable in real manufacturing environments.
This guide explains the most important ESD test methods, resistance measurements, body voltage testing, and verification practices used in electronics manufacturing.
Many facilities install ESD products but neglect verification. However, ESD control systems degrade over time due to:
Wear and tear
Contamination
Humidity fluctuations
Improper grounding
Operator misuse
Testing is necessary to:
Maintain compliance with ANSI/ESD S20.20
Reduce production yield loss
Prevent latent component damage
Ensure long-term product reliability
Maintain audit documentation
An ESD program without testing is incomplete.
Effective ESD testing typically includes multiple verification procedures.
Wrist straps provide a direct grounding path for operators handling components at workstations.
Testing verifies:
Proper contact with skin
Integrity of the grounding cord
Presence of safety resistor
Stable resistance range
Daily testing is common in high-risk manufacturing environments.
ESD shoes or heel straps must be tested to ensure proper grounding when used with ESD flooring.
Footwear testing typically checks:
Combined resistance of person + footwear
Consistency across different floor surfaces
Proper dissipation performance
Testing frequency depends on internal program policy.
Body voltage testing measures the actual voltage generated by a person walking within an ESD-protected area.
This test reflects real-world performance.
If body voltage levels exceed acceptable limits, corrective action may include:
Improving flooring
Changing footwear
Adding ionization
Adjusting humidity
Body voltage testing is especially important in:
Semiconductor facilities
Cleanrooms
Dry environments
Surface resistance testing evaluates ESD mats, workbenches, and flooring.
Testing ensures materials fall within a controlled resistance range suitable for safe charge dissipation.
Surfaces that become contaminated with dust, oil, or cleaning residue may fail testing.
ESD packaging materials must be verified to ensure they provide appropriate shielding or dissipative properties.
Testing may evaluate:
Surface resistance
Static shielding performance
Charge decay behavior
Using unverified packaging can reintroduce ESD risk during transport.
Resistance measurement plays a central role in ESD verification.
Materials used in ESD control are typically categorized as:
Conductive
Static dissipative
Insulative
Controlled resistance allows charge to dissipate gradually rather than discharge abruptly.
Resistance testing confirms:
Materials remain within defined program limits
Grounding systems function properly
Equipment maintains long-term stability
It is important to note that acceptable resistance levels are defined by internal ESD programs and applicable standards.
Testing intervals vary depending on risk level.
Typical practices include:
Daily wrist strap testing
Daily or weekly footwear testing
Quarterly surface resistance testing
Periodic ionizer balance verification
High-reliability sectors such as aerospace or medical electronics may require stricter schedules.
Assuming new products do not require verification
Skipping documentation
Ignoring humidity influence
Testing only equipment but not operators
Using non-calibrated test instruments
A complete ESD verification program must include documentation, equipment calibration, and corrective action procedures.
Most ESD programs reference:
ANSI/ESD S20.20
IEC 61340-5-1
These standards emphasize systematic control, documentation, and regular verification.
Testing ensures that grounding, packaging, and work surfaces remain compliant with structured ESD management systems.
Electronics manufacturing continues to expand across:
Thailand
Malaysia
Vietnam
Indonesia
Philippines
As facilities adopt stricter compliance requirements, documented ESD testing programs are becoming essential.
Manufacturers operating in ASEAN regions increasingly require verified ESD materials, documented procedures, and stable supply partners.
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is the sudden flow of electricity between two objects with different electrical potentials. It occurs when accumulated static charge is released, often through direct contact, electrical shorting, or dielectric breakdown.
Testing frequency depends on internal program requirements, but daily operator testing is common.
Body voltage testing measures static voltage generated by personnel while walking in ESD-controlled areas.
Resistance testing confirms materials provide controlled charge dissipation without rapid discharge.
Most structured ESD programs require regular verification to maintain compliance and documentation.
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