Electrostatic discharge, often shortened to EDS, is the rapid flow of electricity between two objects. This can happen due to a short, electric breakdown or simple physical contact. Certain regulation commissions monitor how resistant electronics are to EDS, such as the International Electrotechnical Commission and the International Organization for Standardization. An ESD gun, also known as an ESD simulator, is a tool used to test the ESD resistance of various devices. There are three test models you may use an ESD gun rental for, and here’s a closer look at them.
Machine Discharge
Certain machines give off static discharge and can damage other electrical components near them if their ESD resistance is too low. An ESD gun rental needs to have the right amount of charge. Some guns can simulate different ranges depending on whether the charge is arcing through the air or resulting from direct contact, so that is something to look closely at.
Charged Devices
In certain production processes, there is a regular cycle of charge and discharge that occurs. Testing your device for this environment often includes multiple tests of cycling through a set charge amount or range.
Human Factor
ESD simulators usually use a charged voltage of 4,000 to 35,000 volts to represent the amount of discharge coming off the human body in a variety of settings. This energy discharges in less than a microsecond when someone touches an electronic device. When testing for the human factor in electronic devices, it may be useful to use multiple values along that range to test for more than one kind of situation.
Making sure your electronic device can stand up to electrostatic discharge is a common practice for a variety of industrial situations. An ESD gun rental is an easy way to accomplish this. To get the right gun, make sure to look at all the voltage specifications for both arc currents and contact.
