When an ESDS item (electronic component/device, assemblies or finished product) is one of the materials, it will be damaged through the ESD event.

The polarity of static charge on a material depends on the material position in a

Triboelectric Series.

The material will be positively tribocharged when it is positioned higher and negatively tribocharged when it is positioned lower in the Triboelectric Series.

Why knowing ESD is important?

Millions of dollars are spent each year just to combat ESD problems.

As microchips are getting smaller and faster with more complex functional capabilities, they become more susceptible to ESD damage.

Therefore, there is a need to use proper ESD packaging material, ESD workstation, ESD storage material, ESD personnel grounding, ESD flooring to name a few to protect the ESDS items.

ESD does not only cause an organisation to lose money due to poor product quality, it also endangers human’s life.

It may cause loss of life or injury when a walking wounded ESDS item in a complex system (e.g. elevator, space craft) fails while in use in the field.