Industry-tested ESD matting, ESD floor mats, and accessories to protect you and your electronic components against the harmful effects of static electricity. Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) can be a problem in some working environments, and potentially damaging to electrical components. Floors, chairs, work surfaces, and packaging can all create static electricity, which when released into an electronic device becomes known as Electrostatic Discharge.
Showing all 3 results
ESD stands for electrostatic discharge. ESD is the sudden release of electricity between two electrically charged objects. The transfer of electrons from one surface to another can be a result of walking, rubbing, sliding, or separating a material. Simply walking over a carpet can create static electricity or contact a person’s clothing, for example. Touch a metal door handle and ouch, we can sometimes feel a shock! Many different surfaces conduct static electricity and this needs to be controlled. You can’t see the transfer of an electronic current – it is an invisible threat.
Ensuring the right product is specified for the area in question is essential and ESD matting should never be confused with electrical switchboard matting. There is also a difference between static dissipative and anti-static flooring. Some flooring products are described as ‘anti-static’ while others are called ‘static dissipative’, so they are not one of the same. Floors described as anti-static, according to CFA guidelines, “limit generation of body voltage and hence reduce the risk of personal shock” and goes on to say, “it does not infer that the product has any capability to dissipate or conduct any charge”.
ESD mats and anti-static mats for the workplace are both conductive products. This means that both, anti-static and ESD mats, dissipate electrical energy into the floor and thus prevent static discharge or even shock.
A static shock may not seem to be so severe at first glance, everyone is familiar with the experience of receiving a small electric shock after walking across the carpet. Certainly unpleasant, but hardly a major concern, is it?
However, sensitive components and control groups in electronics can be damaged or destroyed. This can lead to a far greater damage if these elements fail during operation or supply incorrect signals.
