ESD Wrist Strap
ESD wrist strap is a common piece of equipment for individuals that work in an environment where handling static sensitive electronic equipment is a regular occurrence. In order to minimize the potential damage to these devices it is crucial for manufacturing, warehousing and other industries that regularly handle ESD sensitive hardware to equip their workforce with ESD wrist straps. These conductive wrist bands provide a means for the static charge generated on a person to disperse. In addition to this they provide a way for the operator to remain grounded during a process that would otherwise be unrestrained and allow the device being handled to develop a damaging charge.
These conductive wristbands consist of two parts; a conductive band worn on the operators wrist and a coiled ground cord with an alligator clip or banana plug. The conductive surface on the inside of the band makes contact with the operator’s skin, and is typically made from carbon or metal materials. The wrist band’s buckle is outfitted with a snap for a coiled ground cord, which is plugged into the corresponding alligator clip or banana plug attached to the wrist strap.
The alligator clip or banana plug then attaches to a local equipment grounding point, usually a metal part of the workbench or large piece of equipment in the work area (as long as it is not painted). This ensures a constant connection with the ground and prevents the build-up of static charge on the operator’s body. Wrist straps are the most common personal grounding device used in the ESD control industry and are a requirement for all seated operators that handle unpackaged ESD sensitive components. It is important to regularly check the wrist strap, ground cord and resistor to make sure that they are working properly.
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