ANSI/ESD S20.20 consulting and ESD control training

About the EOS/ESD Association

The EOS/ESD Association began with nearly 100 members. The original article cited over 15,869 members and volunteers; this is a historical figure, not a current membership total. Its original focus on electronic components expanded to textiles, plastics, web processing, cleanrooms and graphic arts. Its activities include standards, education, publications, guidance, certification and symposia. ESDA develops ANSI-accredited electrostatic-discharge standards.

An international association

Although founded and based in the United States, the association operates internationally. The original article referred to members from more than 55 countries. Members participate in standards committees, present technical papers at the annual EOS/ESD Symposium and connect with related organisations.

The association represents US interests in electrostatics standardisation at the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), supporting international cooperation and harmonisation.

Understanding electrostatic discharge

In everyday life, static electricity may seem merely inconvenient. In industrial environments, the familiar shock caused by walking across a carpet can indicate a source of damage or other hazards.

Electrostatic discharge can ignite suitable flammable mixtures and damage electronic components. Static attraction can also draw contaminants into clean environments or cause products to stick together.

The original article illustrates component losses ranging from a few cents for a diode to hundreds of dollars for a complex device. Actual costs vary. Wider losses include production downtime, repair, rework, transport, labour and overheads; these provide reasons to control static electricity and ESD.

What is ANSI/ESD S20.20?

ANSI/ESD S20.20 specifies requirements for an electrostatic-discharge control programme.  (ESD = ElectroStatic Discharge)

ESD is a rapid transfer of electrostatic charge. ANSI/ESD S20.20 helps organisations develop programmes to protect susceptible electrical and electronic parts, assemblies and equipment. It is not a general quality-management-system standard. Select controls using the applicable edition, device sensitivity and actual process; the original article’s reference to 100 V must not be treated as a universal protection guarantee.

Official standard information and access: ANSI/ESD S20.20

Benefits of an ESD control programme

Electronic components can fail when handled incorrectly. Scrapping or repairing ESD-damaged items consumes both time and money.

• Increase ESD awareness across the organisation.
• Improve process performance and product control.
• Reduce defects, rework and the cost of ESD-related failures.
• Align controls with practices used elsewhere in the electronics industry.
• Provide customers with visible evidence of ESD controls during factory visits.
• Implement controls such as suitable clothing, grounded workstations and signs.
• Strengthen customer confidence in manufacturing and processing controls, supporting competitiveness and market opportunities.

ITVC’s ESD S20.20 consulting programme

ITVC Global offers the following programme to help customers implement ESD controls in their production areas:

1. Survey the factory and identify areas that require ESD control.
2. Prepare the survey report.
3. Develop an ESD implementation plan.
4. Guide implementation of ESD controls.
5. Verify and assess compliance with the applicable ESD S20.20 requirements.
6. Guide corrective actions following the compliance assessment.
7. Help the enterprise maintain its ESD control programme.

Completed projects

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