Browse Categories

How to Use ESD Mats and Wrist Straps

How to Use ESD Mats and Wrist Straps

Working with sensitive electronic components is already challenging. It takes skill and know-how to handle intricate component parts for assembly, repair, or rework. To create a professional and safe work environment for electronics, one must have two essential items: an ESD mat and an ESD wrist strap. These are the items that can protect electronics from damaging electrostatic discharge. Wondering how to use the ESD mat and wrist strap? Read on.

Why Getting Rid of Static Is Essential

Electrostatic discharge or static electricity is relatively harmless when you encounter it while taking clothing out of the dryer. For instance, pulling apart socks stuck together may cause sparks to pop from friction. However, when you are working with high-tech electrical components, that same discharge can wreak havoc on components, rendering them useless in some cases. This is why every measure should be taken to eliminate the eruption of static in this environment. Investing in anti-static products such as anti-static mats and anti-static wristbands is the best way to eliminate this common problem.

How Do ESD Mats Work?

Work surfaces made of wood, plastic, or other materials may have hidden positive and negative charges. Since you cannot remove this static directly from the work surface, the solution is to cover them with an ESD mat. These mats are considered to be static dissipative due to their ability to resist electrical charges that can lead to dangerous sparks.

ESD mats are typically rectangular in shape and made of rubber or vinyl material. They come in sizes large enough to cover work surface areas, and some mat styles also come in a variety of colors. For them to work, they must be grounded. A grounding cable may come with the mat, and the mat becomes protective once the cable is plugged into an electrical outlet.

How to Use an ESD Mat

Determine what size of ESD mat you need for good surface coverage at your workspace. Once the mat arrives, clear the work surface of objects and clean it with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel. Place the mat onto the work surface and plug the mat’s grounding connector into the wall socket. Some ESD mats do not come with grounding hardware and still offer good anti-static protection. You can use them “as is” or purchase grounding hardware separately.

Choosing an ESD Mat

There are two types of ESD mats to consider: table mat and floor mat.
ESD table mats. Table mats are commonly seen at workbenches where electronic components are a constant presence. Look for mats that are two-ply and offer excellent resistance to hot temperatures from soldering irons, hot solder, and corrosive solvents.

ESD floor mats. ESD floor mats offer an extra layer of protection for ESD-safe environments. These anti-static mats typically come in black or gray colors and various sizes.

How Do ESD Wrist Straps Work?

Anti-static wrist straps are worn as an easy way to ground the body. When you wear this type of strap, you can touch electronics with your bare hands without worrying that a static charge is going to flow through you and into delicate components. When putting it on, remember that the metallic part located inside the strap should touch your skin. For safety, always follow the manufacturer instructions for attaching the band to the wrist and connecting it to electronics or outlets.

Tags

Q Source Guest Blog ESD My Account Web account Transforming Technologies cleanroom flooring bevco guest blog signs wish lists search history Bevco ANSI/ESD cleanroomready ergonomic seating electronics biomedical electrostatic discharge esd installation importance of ergonomics us made healthy ergonomics easy assembly q source 40 celebrates blog tools composite decking decking bench magnifier vision engineering vision luxo file attachments upload attach files purchase order tax exempt form account holder how to clean esd mat cleaning esd mats how to clean anti static mat mat maintenance cleanroom cleaning protocol clean room laundry clean room cleaning cleanroom cleaning procedure clean room clothes social distancing employee safety customer safety metcal introducing gt90 and gt120 unitron track orders re-order holiday July 4th office closure Independence Day QSource.com wastebaskets PCBs ANSI/ESD S2020 workstations conductive static dissipative Brady arc flash pipe markers labels lockout tagout self adhesive identification ASG Jergens torque threaded fasteners ISO 5393 NIST 35th anniversary 1984 customer service Q Electronics Steve Quail Gus Lugten industrial assembly production miscellaneous Web site features order templates express checkout quick order company logos Shopping Tools favorites frequent orders checkout defaults carts Atrix Omega cordless vacuum immediate containment promo ULPA SMTA Long Island workshop Deadly Sins of SMT Phil Zarrow assembly process stereo microscope On the Bench how-to focus Unitron Peter Indrigo video Z10 Series eyestrain ergonomic seating musculoskeletal disorders Department of Labor National Research Council National Safety Council soldering comic books smt surface mount technology Mighty Ohm Silicon Farmers Mitch Altman Andie Nordgren Jeff Keyzer Greg Peek Dave Roberts Nitrile allergies latex rubber gloves TechNiGlove Fritz Maskrey Type 4 disposable gloves 4500 Series rubber table mats free shipping static control order tracking recent web orders user info shopping tools account tools backless stools ErgoLux ErgoLux Jr Versa Maintenance Repair ANSI-BIFMA Greenguard Gold lab medical industrial electronic assembly quotes orders shopping Quantum Storage Systems Free Shipping Bins Totes Carts Shelving Static Solutions hand lotion EOS/ESD personal grounding wrist straps heel grounders Craig Zander Walking Voltage Test footwear Warmbier WT5000 EFM51WT web account nitrile gloves
Show All

Posts

2024 2023 2022 2021 2020
November October August July June April March January
2019
December October September July June May April March February
2018