ESD Control: The Invisible Defense Line

Latent Defects

A static shock of 30V can damage a MOSFET gate just enough to weaken it, but not kill it immediately. The device passes inspection but fails in the customer's hands 3 months later. This is a Latent Failure.

The Big Three

1. Grounding: Wrist straps and heel grounders for people.
2. Surfaces: Mats and flooring must be "Static Dissipative" (not conductive, not insulative).
3. Ionization: Blowers to neutralize static on insulators (like plastic housings) that cannot be grounded.