ESD Wastebaskets: An Overlooked Necessity for Your Workstation Environment

Transforming Technologies ESD wastebaskets Guest Blog PCBs ANSI/ESD S2020 workstations conductive static dissipative

Originally posted as The Cause for ESD Wastebaskets by Transforming Technologies - Re-posted here, including slight edits, with permission

Why is there a need for ESD wastebaskets? A fair question. The need may not exist if the basket permanently stays underneath your workstation.

But, circumstances exist where the wastebasket could present a significant danger to electronics. Here are a few examples of potentially risky scenarios:

Worksurface Cleaning

A common operator habit is to raise the wastebasket to the edge of the workstation to gather debris for removal. If an unshielded static-sensitive item is on the worksurface, it could risk exposure to electrostatic fields that exceed safe limits.

Lead Trimming/Board Cleaning Operations

Improperly trained operators, when trimming component leads or using aerosol cleaners on PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards), sometimes hold the PCB over a wastebasket to catch the clippings or solvent run-off. This may cause the PCB to be placed down into the waste container to better catch the unwanted materials. This risky habit puts PCBs and ESD-sensitive devices very close to potentially significant electrostatic fields.

Aisle Proximity

Wastebaskets that are placed too close to production floor aisles, where product transfer carts pass or may be parked, risk being next to static-generating baskets. It is vital to follow ANSI/ESD S2020, which requires items that generate 2,000 volts or more (measured at 1” from the item) to be kept at least 12” from ESD-sensitive devices.

Your organization's ESD/static-control policies should prohibit these actions, but it doesn't mean that they will not occur. Using ESD wastebaskets provides assurance that your wastebasket will not be an ESD threat to your product.

Transforming Technologies' static-control expertise has been applied to ESD wastebaskets. Available in static-dissipative polypropylene and in stainless steel for cleanroom operations. Liners are also available in both conductive and static-dissipative versions for easier maintenance.

QSource.com provides further information, and excellent low prices, for these Transforming Technologies ESD wastebasket products:

28-Quart, Black ESD-Safe Waste Basket (WBAS 28)

Material: Carbon-loaded, black conductive Polypropylene
Point-to-Point Resistance RP: 104 - 105 W
Height: 15"
Opening: 13.5" x 9.5"

28 Quart, Stainless Steel Clean Room Waste Basket (WBAS28MET)

Material: Permanently conductive stainless steel
Dimensions: 15" x 10" x 14"
Typical Point-to-Point Resistance: 102 – 103 ohm

22-Gallon, Black ESD-Safe Waste Basket (WBAS90)

Weight: 7.5 lb.
Dimensions: 30" x 20" x 11"
Material: Carbon-loaded, black conductive polypropylene
Resistance - RTP: 104 - 105
Marking: Yellow ESD symbol

44-Gallon, Black ESD-Safe Waste Basket (WBAS180)

Weight: 13 lb.
Dimensions: 31" x 24" x 24"
Material: Carbon-loaded, black conductive polypropylene
Resistance - RTP: 104 - 105
Marking: Yellow ESD symbol

2-Mil, 7-10 Gallon Pink Dissipative Anti-Static Trash Liners (WBASLP)

Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
Size: 24" x 24"
Tensile Strength: 2,000 to 3,000 PSI
Tearing Strength: 65- to 450-lb. per square inch
Surface Resistivity: ‹ or equal to 1011 ohms/sq.
Static Decay Rate: 5 kV - 0 volts ‹ 2 seconds per
Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions

3 Mil, 7-10 Gallon Black Conductive Trash Liners (WBASLB)

Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
Size: 24" x 24"
Tensile Strength: > 2,000 PSI
Tearing Strength: > 400-lb. per inch
Surface Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 ohms/sq
Volume Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 ohms/cm
Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions

22-Gallon, Black Conductive ESD Trash Can Liners (WBAS22LB)

Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
Thickness: 3 mil
Size: 24" x 24"
Volume: 7-10 gallon (28-40 quart)
Tensile Strength: > 2000 PSI
Tearing Strength: > 400-lb. per inch
Surface Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/sq
Volume Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/cm
Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions

22-Gallon, Pink Dissipative ESD Trash Can Liner (WBAS22LP)

Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
Thickness: 3 mil
Size: 24" x 24"
Volume: 7-10 gallon (28-40 quart)
Tensile Strength: > 2000 PSI
Tearing Strength: > 400-lb. per inch
Surface Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/sq
Volume Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/cm
Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions

44-Gallon, Black Conductive ESD Trash Can Liner (WBAS44LB)

Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
Thickness: 3 mil
Size: 24" x 24"
Volume: 7-10 gallon (28-40 quart)
Tensile Strength: > 2000 PSI
Tearing Strength: > 400-lb. per inch
Surface Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/sq
Volume Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/cm
Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions

44-Gallon, Pink Dissipative ESD Trash Can Liner (WBAS44LP)

Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
Thickness: 3 mil
Size: 24" x 24"
Volume: 7-10 gallon (28-40 quart)
Tensile Strength: > 2000 PSI
Tearing Strength: > 400-lb. per inch
Surface Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/sq
Volume Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/cm
Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions

For other Transforming Technologies products, please visit their manufacturer page on QSource.com. You may also contact us via email or phone (800-966-6020) for large orders or other inquiries. We also offer live chat customer service on our Web site.

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