Background

    Most people only think of static electricity as the shock from touching a metal doorknob after walking across a carpet.  However, static discharge can be very dangerous in modern work environments.  Electronic devices have become more sensitive to static discharge as they've become faster and smaller.  ESD impacts productivity and product reliability in almost every aspect of today's electronics environment.  Electrostatic control also applies to other industries such as clean room applications and graphic arts.

    ESD affects manufacturing costs, product quality, production yields, product reliability, and profitability.  Experts have estimate the average product losses due to static to be from 8-33%.  This could quantify the amount lost due to ESD, or electro-static discharge, to be in the billions every year.  Whether it's the cost of a damaged diode which may only cost a few cents or a complex hybrids which could run a company several hundred dollars, the threat of ESD is a growing concern.  Other losses due to ESD could be costs of repair and rework, re-shipping, extra labor.

_{from Botron Co.}