Garments
Garments can cause ESD problems but it is rarely an issue except for very sensitive components.
Clothing is often made from insulative materials and so can generate and hold a charge.Because it’s insulative the charge will not dissipate to ground through the human body. If a devices or product is brought close to charged clothing can induce a charge on the device. The charged device can then cause an ESD event when handled or placed on a conductor.
Removing clothing can generate a substantial charge and if it is left near product is can cause an ESD event.
The critical question is how sensitive the components are to an ESD event.
Since inductive charging is highly lossy the risk to the product is normally low.
Short sleeves and employee education can minimise this risk.
Introducing ESD garments is not a small change and needs to planned:
- garments have to specified, tested, sized, purchased, stored, washed and replaced.
- as with shoes comfort is critical.
- what’s acceptable in winter may not work in summer
- each employee will need at least 2 garments.
- garments have to cleaned. Standard washing may damage sensitive materials.
The selection of the optimum garment (technical requirements, comfort and cost) is a complex decision. Independent advise is critical to a successful introduction.
For help with independent selection, planning and implementation of garments just contact us