Wrist Strap Testers

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) occurs in everyday life, when two or more differently-charged objects are brought in close proximity to each other or come into contact with one another, often creating a visible spark.

Although many people think of ‘electric shocks’ from car doors, light switches and other people, ESD is much more extreme when it comes down to electronic components and devices. ESD can cause serious, and most often irreversible, damage to static sensitive components like printed circuit boards which can be found in computers. If you work with electronic components and devices on a regular basis, then it is essential to regulate electrostatic discharge in a work environment – this is why there are special products in the market to control static electricity.

In this article, we will focus on Wrist Strap Testers – ESD testing instruments that check the continuity of fitted wrist straps and cords, ensuring that they’re working correctly before use.

Are you looking for static control products? Browse through Bondline’s selection of anti static consumables today!

Why Should You Use Wrist Strap Testers?

If you are not using a continuous or a constant monitor, a wrist strap should be tested at least daily with a wrist strap tester. This quick check can determine that no break in the path-to-ground has occurred. Wrist straps should be worn while they are tested. This provides the best way to test all three components:

• The wrist band
• The ground cord (including the resistor)
• The interface (contact) with the operator’s skin

Types of Wrist Strap and Footwear Testers

As wrist straps are the most commonly used personnel grounding device to ground operators, you will find a lot of testers on the market check wrist straps only. Combined wrist strap and footwear testers will verify your wrist straps AND footwear.

Bondline has a whole range of wrist strap testing instruments available to purchase on their website. Many of their testers are UK manufactured and can be uniquely customised, which makes Bondline second to none!

Personnel Grounding Testers

Personnel grounding testers can be purchased in two configurations:

• Wrist strap tester
• Wrist strap and footwear tester

Footwear Testing

If you are using a flooring / footwear system as an alternative for standing or mobile workers, ESD footwear should be tested independently at least daily while being worn. Proper testing of foot grounders involves the verification of:

• The individual foot grounder
• The contact strip
• The interface between the contact strip and the operator’s perspiration layer

In addition to what the testers verify, you will also be faced with a wide range of devices differing in how they test. Below you will see a (by no means complete) list of options:

• Continuous and split footplate: You will find testers with a continuous footplate which require each foot to be tested separately one after the other. Dual-footplate or independent footwear testers feature a split footplate which allows the unit to verify both feet independently at the same time. This can be an efficient time-saver if you have a number of operators in your company who are required to check their personnel grounding devices.
• Portable, wall-mountable and fitted testers: Portable battery-powered (predominantly) wrist strap testers are suitable for small labs or for supervisors to spot-check workers and ensure compliance. Wall-mountable units are generally supplied with a wall plate which attaches to a wall; the tester is then mounted on to the wall plate. Some personal grounding devices are accompanied by a stand (and built-in footplate) which allow for a more freely positioning of the unit within a room.
• Relay terminal: A few testers on the market are fitted with a relay terminal (electrically operated switch) that can be integrated with electronic door locks, turnstiles, lights, buzzers, etc. This can be of advantage if companies only want to allow personnel in an EPA that have passed their wrist strap and/or footwear test.
• Data acquisition: A growing number of personnel grounding devices allow for test activity data to be logged in a database. The units link to a computer which records operator identification, test results, resistance measurements, time and more. Paperless data can enhance operator accountability, immediately identifying problems while reducing manual logging and auditing costs.

Below, you can find a list of the types of wrist strap and footwear testers available in the market.

Wrist Strap Testers

A simple, handheld, portable wrist strap tester, great for checking the continuity of fitted wrist straps and cords. If you’re looking for a standard tester to quickly test your wrist strap and cord with no fuss, the wrist strap tester is the best option to pick. Bondline’s wrist strap tester has a banana socket and a 10mm stud. It has a single test range of 0.75 meg-ohm to 35 meg-ohm, however other resistance values can be incorporated on request. A 9V battery is required before use. Bondline’s wrist strap testers can also have bespoke customisation if required.

Wrist Strap Test Station

Wall-mounted wrist strap test stations are units for checking the continuity of fitted wrist-straps and cords. Being wall-mounted, the wrist strap test station provides ease of use for the user and allows the workplace to create a defined area for wrist strap testing. Bondline’s ‘WST2 Unit’ is supplied with the WST1 meter, wall mounting board, 6-inch cord (0 megohms) and 9V battery. The WST1 meter that is supplied with the station has a single test range of 0.75 meg-ohm to 35 meg-ohm, however alternate resistance ranges can be requested.

Footwear/Wrist-Strap Test Station

 

Footwear or wrist-strap test stations are wall-mounted units that check the continuity of fitted wrist-straps and cords, fitted ESD shoes, heel straps or toe grounders. The footplate that is supplied with the station, can be laid onto the floor accordingly to test a user’s ESD footwear continuity. To test the footwear, one foot should be placed onto the footplate at a time. Bondline’s footwear/wrist-strap test station is supplied with a WST1 test meter, wall mounting board, 6-inch cord (0 meg ohm), 6ft cord (0 meg ohm), footplate and 9V battery. A suitable tester to select if your static sensitive environment (EPA) has an ESD flooring system and requires foot grounding.

Wrist-Strap Tester Calibrator WST1/2/3

Tester Calibration Units are generally designed to simplify the process of calibrating wrist-strap testers – with Bondline’s unit, it specifically tests WST1/2/3. Simple and easy to use, this unit allows the user to quickly and easily verify whether a tester is operating within specifications. The tester calibration unit is a passive device and requires no power source. Light and audible signals verify results on the unit you are testing.

Dual Footwear and Wrist Strap Tester

The wall-mounted ‘Dual Footwear and Wrist-Strap Test Station Unit’ checks the continuity of fitted wrist-straps and cords, fitted ESD shoes, heel straps or toe grounders. This combination tester gives the user the ability not only to test their wrist strap but also their footwear (both feet) at the same time. There are 3 settings, ‘wrist strap only test’, ‘footwear only test’ and also the ‘dual test feature’ where you can test your wrist strap and footwear at the same time. A suitable tester to select if your static sensitive environment (EPA) has an ESD flooring system and requires foot grounding.

Earth 4 Sure Monitor

A unique, compact tester that fits under your workbench and constantly connects the user to Earth via the 10mm Stud or 4mm Banana Socket when your wrist strap is connected to the unit.  The ‘E4 Sure’ checks that your wrist strap is correctly working and simultaneously confirms the Earth is present. This ensures that you are working in accordance with the IEC 61340-5 specifications. A great choice for those who want extra security to be assured they are continuously connected to Earth.

ESD Work-Check

The ‘Work-Check’ Test Instrument is straightforward to use, and it is very effective for checking many functional features of ESD workstations. It also comes with an additional benefit of being able to have customised printing or logo’s added if desired.

Bespoke ESD Testing Products

With many of Bondline’s ESD testing products, we are able to offer private labelling, custom logos and colours on request for our wrist strap testers. Additionally, we can also provide our test equipment, including our wrist strap testers, with specific ranges to conform to many standards in the electronics industry. If you would like a custom-made ESD testing product, please enquire with Bondline.

Guidance Using ESD Wrist Strap And Footwear Testers

For an easy user guide on using our wrist-strap and footwear testers and ESD work checker correctly, watch our videos below.

Get Your Wrist Strap Testers With Bondline Today!

Are you in the market for wrist strap testers and other ESD-safe equipment?

Browse through Bondline for a wide selection of wrist strap testers! If you have any questions about our products or what works best for your purposes, do not hesitate to give us a call. We hope to hear from you soon!

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