Corriplast

Also known as Conductive Correx®, Conductive Corriplast® protects the item inside the packaging from static charges. Conductive Corriplast® is a robust ESD Safe material – made from a corrugated plastic board – that is perfect for use in cleanroom, medical and laboratory applications and / or where static protection is also required. The Polypropylene / Ethylene copolymers used in the material provide a level of durability that makes it particularly suitable when longevity and re-usability is also a concern. Corriplast® packaging comes in all types of forms including tote boxes, tote divisions and layer pads.

The main benefits of Corriplast® is that it can be fabricated to create custom sized totes, containers and packaging that offers strength and performance approaching that of moulded plastic options. Corriplast® packaging has a resistance to moisture and dust, an enhanced lifespan, greater load bearing capacity and it is easy to clean.

Corstat

A carbon based coating applied to corrugated cardboard which is then used for anti-static packaging solutions. Corstat packaging comes in all sorts of forms, including bins, boxes, totes, dividers, and other inserts. It is known as the ESD industry standard for conductive packaging. 

The Corstat coated cardboard provides a “Faraday cage” that channels static around the outside of the packaging, protecting the static sensitive items within. Many blue-chip and multi-national electronics manufacturers typically use Corstat for its performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Corstat packaging, manufactured from coated cardboard, is also an environmentally friendly anti-static bag alternative.

Ohm

Ohm is a unit of resistance. Symbolised by the Greek capital letter omega (Ω). It is defined as the resistance, at 0^o C, of a uniform column of mercury weighing 14.451 grams. One ohm is the value of resistance through which a potential difference of one volt will maintain a current of one ampere.

Process-essential insulator

A process-essential insulator is necessary to build or assemble the finished product. When grounding of these is not possible, choosing a method to neutralise electrostatic charge is necessary. This can be achieved with ionisation. Examples of a process-essential insulator include: product plastic housing or PC board substrate.

Catastrophic failure

When an electronic device is exposed to an ESD event it may have caused a metal melt, junction failure or oxide breakdown, permanently damaging its circuitry and resulting in catastrophic failure. Such failure can usually be detected when the device is tested before shipping. If the ESD event occurs after the test the damage will go undetected until the device fails in operation.

Zap

In layman’s terms, the term “zap” refers to an electrical discharge or electrostatic discharge (ESD). A “zap” can occur when touching a filling cabinet, getting out of a car or walking across a carpet and touching a door handle.

How to wear an ESD wrist strap

Each type of ESD wrist strap has been designed to be adjusted to fit each individual wearer. The two most common types of ESD wrist straps are metal ESD wrist straps and elastic adjustable ESD wrist straps. Each of these can be adjusted as follows:

Adjusting the size of an elastic adjustable wrist strap:

1. Place the wrist strap on the wrist. The wrist strap can be worn on either wrist, dependant on the location of the wrist strap ground point.
2. Open the clasp by pulling upward on the “tail” of material that extends out from the clasp.
3. Tighten or loosen the elastic material through the clasp until the wrist strap fits snugly but comfortably.
4. Test the wrist strap system with an ESD wrist strap tester to be sure of proper electrical resistance and skin contact.
5. Connect the wrist strap to Earth via a ground cord and bonding point.

Adjusting the size of a metal expansion wrist strap:

1. Insert the link end of the wrist strap into the slotted opening on the cap. Insert it at a downward angle to allow the links to slide inside the channel in the backplate.
2. Change the size of the strap by sliding the links in or out of the stainless steel backplate. For those with extra small wrists, the excess links of the wrist strap can be cut off with cutters.
3. Lock the links into place by pulling down on the wrist strap, seating the strap securely over the lip on the edge of the backplate.
4. Test the wrist strap system with an ESD wrist strap tester to be sure of proper electrical resistance and skin contact.
5. Connect the wrist strap to Earth via a ground cord and bonding point.

ESD protective symbol

The ESD Protective Symbol, consists of the reaching hand in the triangle. An arc around the triangle replaces the slash. This “umbrella” means protection. The symbol indicates ESD protective material. It is applied to ESD furniture, mats, chairs, wrist straps, garments, packaging, and other items that provide ESD protection. It also may be used on equipment such as hand tools, conveyor belts, or automated handlers that is specially designed or modified to provide ESD control

ESD susceptibility symbol

The ESD Susceptibility Symbol, consists of a triangle, a reaching hand, and a slash through the reaching hand. The triangle means “caution” and the slash through the reaching hand means “Don’t touch.” Because of its broad usage, the hand in the triangle has become associated with ESD and the symbol literally translates to “ESD sensitive device, don’t touch.”

The ESD Susceptibility Symbol is applied directly to integrated circuits, boards, and assemblies that are static sensitive. It indicates that handling or use of this item may result in damage from ESD if proper precautions are not taken. If desired, the sensitivity level of the item may be added to the label

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