September 2021

Spectrum analyzers are expensive pieces of equipment that should be handled with care, especially when it involves applying signals to the RF input. Some new users may not know what “care” means and how to go about ensuring the spectrum analyzer they’re using is protected from overloading and damage.

The 16.6 ohm implementation of contact CDM (LICCDM) recently published in ANSI-ESD Standard Practice 5.3.3 is shown to produce waveforms of similar shape, I_fail, and I_peak vs. C_eff dependency as JS-002. The non-monotonicity of JS-002 at low voltages is overcome using LICCDM. A path to joint standardization with air discharge testing is proposed.

High reliability organizations (HROs) typically implement stringent static control programs to mitigate the risks of catastrophic and/or life-threatening failures. This article describes some of the considerations to consider for static control flooring in these more demanding environments.

Grounding is often viewed from separate points of view - safety, ESD, or EMI.  This article combines all these aspects together so that practitioners can address grounding at the factories and in the laboratories in a comprehensive way.

A fully functional ESD floor prevents static generation and provides an effective path to ground for personnel and equipment. Many conductive and dissipative floors meet STM 7.1 resistance parameters in ANSI/ESD S20.20 but fail to provide adequate electrical contact for grounding equipment with conductive casters and drag chains.