About ESD

To a greater or lesser extent all contact between objects, every separation of one item from another, each sliding of one thing on another, causes a disturbance of electrical charge. When charge disturbance take place faster than charge redistribution, static charge accumulates. ESD occurs where charges of different electrostatic potentials meet. The flow of electrons is usually sudden and releases energy that can damage electrostatic sensitive devices (ESDs) This is referred to as tribo electric generations.

Static charges of 30000 volts are not uncommon and can be generated by the simple act of walking across a floor, yet a discharge of only 10 volts can destroy a class 1 ESD sensitive device.

A material that inhibits the generation of tribo electric charge is classified as anti-static. Anti-static material can be

conductive ( 10³ -10⁶ ohms/sq), 

static dissipative ( 10⁷ -10⁹ ohms/sq), 

anti-static  (10¹⁰ - 10¹² ohms/sq) or even 

insulative (greater than 10¹²  ohms/sq)

Only conductive or static dissipative anti static material should be used in ESD protected areas .