Sep04 / THTT

Copyright by SR Technics Switzerland

Corresponding with EASA Part-66
For training purposes only 5.12 - 1 Cat: B1.1
Basic Maintenance
Training Manual
Module 5 Digital Technology / EIS
5.12 Electrostatic Sensitive Devices
5.12 Electrostatic Sensitive Devices
Sep04 / THTT
Copyright by SR Technics Switzerland
Corresponding with EASA Part-66
For training purposes only 5.12 - 2 Cat: B1.1
Basic Maintenance
Training Manual
Module 5 Digital Technology / EIS
5.12 Electrostatic Sensitive Devices
Electrostatic Sensitive Devices (ESD)
Figure 1: Explosion caused by Electrostatics on an Integrated Circuit
Electrostatic discharge, also known as ESD, is defined as the equalization of stat-
ic charge between two surfaces. Most of us can relate to ESD in a more personal
way. Its the small shock you get when walking across a carpet and then touching
a metal object, like a TV or doorknob.
Figure 2: Typical ESD Event
That small shock is an ESD event!
This small shock is exactly the same as the large bolts of lightning you may see
during a thunderstorm. The ESD event that you may feel when walking across a
carpet and touching a metallic object measures between 12,000 and 40,000 volts.
The common level a human can feel is from 3,000 to 4,000 volts.
ESD can damage most electronics
Static can damage, degrade or blow electrical components. To increase the reli-
ability of the electronic systems, we must be very careful to handle with it. Electri-
cal components contain very small conductors that are sensitive to ESD
Figure 3: Damage on Integrated Circuits.
Sep04 / THTT
Copyright by SR Technics Switzerland
Corresponding with EASA Part-66
For training purposes only 5.12 - 3 Cat: B1.1
Basic Maintenance
Training Manual
Module 5 Digital Technology / EIS
5.12 Electrostatic Sensitive Devices
Damages caused by ESD
Some conductors are only one millionth of one millimeter in diameter (smaller than
a speck of dust). These conductors melt and/or vaporize when an ESD event oc-
curs
Figure 4: ESD - Damage inside integrated circuit (Magnification 1000x and
5000x).
Sometimes an ESD event causes a hidden or latent failure. This type of ESD dam-
age will not appear in the electronics during testing of final check-out, but because
of stresses of in-operation electrical overstress, power on/off, etc...this component
fails at a later date.
Figure 5: Consequences of ESD.
Latent failures affects the performance of electronic systems and in our case the
reliability of the avionics-systems in an ESD event airplane.
ESD sensitivity withstanding voltage (Human Body Model HBM)
ESDS Part Label
Electro Static Discharge Sensitive (ESDS) parts and package material are usually
labelled with stickers of the colours black and yellow with a symbol and text as
shown in Figure 6.
Figure 6: ESDS Symbol
Type of semiconductor Voltage
Very sensitive parts 10 100
Power MOSFETS 100 300
VLSI before 1990 400 1000
Modern VLSI 1000 3000
CMOS 1000 5000
Linear MOS 800 4000
Transistor old 600 6000
Transistor modern 2000 8000
Power Transistor 7000 25000
Film resistor 1000 5000
Sep04 / THTT
Copyright by SR Technics Switzerland
Corresponding with EASA Part-66
For training purposes only 5.12 - 4 Cat: B1.1
Basic Maintenance
Training Manual
Module 5 Digital Technology / EIS
5.12 Electrostatic Sensitive Devices
Generating static charges and damaging fields
Everyone who handles with electronic system is responsible to ensure that sensi-
tive components are protected from ESD damage. For this you must become fa-
miliar with Static Generators. There are many ways static charges damage ESD
sensitive components. The most common method of generating static is by rub-
bing or sliding two different materials together. This is called Triboelectric charg-
ing. Tribo means to rub. The size of the charge generated depends on the type
of materials rubbed together. High static-producing materials include plastics and
glass. Even air may become charged when it moves through an area. One of the
worst static generators is tape. Unrolling a 10 cm piece of tape can generate be-
tween 3,000 and 5,000 volts of static.
Figure 7: Generating Electrostatics
Figure 8: Typical Electrostatic Voltage during your Work
a) Walking over carpet 1500 - 35000 Volt
b) Walking over Vinyl floor 250 - 12000 Volt
c) Working at unprotected bench 700 - 6000 Volt
d) Putting work-instruction in a vinyl-cover 600 - 7000 Volt
e) Plastic bag picked up from workbench 1200 - 20000 Volt
Triboelectric series
Sep04 / THTT
Copyright by SR Technics Switzerland
Corresponding with EASA Part-66
For training purposes only 5.12 - 5 Cat: B1.1
Basic Maintenance
Training Manual
Module 5 Digital Technology / EIS
5.12 Electrostatic Sensitive Devices
ESD Training
ESD damage can be prevented. One way is to provide a discharge path to ground
the charge. How to get grounded!
Wear a snug-fitting wrist strap that is connected to ground. Your wrist strap should
always touch the skin. It should not dangle freely. Dont wear a wrist strap inside
out, over clothing or just held in the hand. When worn this way, the strap cannot
prevent ESD damage.
Figure 9: Wrist Strap
Wrist straps are required for all visitors who are at a work station and handling
ESDS material/assemblies. Check your wrist strap daily. Personnel shall not be
connected directly to hard ground. Wrist straps have a current limiting resistor (one
mega-ohm) to ensure that personnel safety requirements are met.
Wear ESD shoes or straps when it is inconvenient or impossible to wear a wrist
strap. Foot straps must be worn on both feet. Foot straps are only effective on con-
ductive flooring. ESD shoes or straps must be checked daily
Figure 10: ESD Shoes.
Clothes must be put on and taken off away from the static-safe work station.
Personal grooming should not take place within one meter of an ESD work station
or ESDS material.
Sep04 / THTT
Copyright by SR Technics Switzerland
Corresponding with EASA Part-66
For training purposes only 5.12 - 6 Cat: B1.1
Basic Maintenance
Training Manual
Module 5 Digital Technology / EIS
5.12 Electrostatic Sensitive Devices
Material handling
ESD-sensitive material should be handled by trained personnel at a certified work
station. All ESDS material should be packaged and transported in a Faraday Cage
static shielding enclosure. Examples of Faraday Cages are static shielding bags
that have been sealed with a ESD caution label on the bag or a covered conduc-
tive tote. Keep units not being worked on in their protective packaging. Remove
ESD sensitive material from its protective packaging only when it is absolutely re-
quired.
All ESDS material must be re packaged in a Faraday cage before going to breaks
or lunch.
Figure 11: ESD Package Material
Figure 12: Warning Plates
Work stations
Handle ESD-sensitive materials at certified work stations only. When you are seat-
ed at the work station, your wrist strap should be attached to the grounding jack at
all times. Static generators like paper and plastic should be kept a minimum of 30
cm from the ESD sensitive assemblies. ESD-safe work stations are labelled.
Check and make sure that the conductive mat is properly grounded. Use a topical
approved spray cleaner to keep your mat clean. Then use a topical antistatic so-
lution to preserve the dissapative qualities of the mat. Ionizing fans are used to
help eliminate the build-up of charges on plastics that cannot be eliminated from
the work station. Only tools required to perform the operation will be on the work
surface. Tools having plastic (insulated) handles must be treated with a topical
antistatic. Whenever possible, all static generators such as untreated plastic, pa-
per and rubber should be removed from the work station. All electrical equipment
used at the work station shall be properly grounded. Electrical equipment must
have a 3-prong plug.Personal items are not permitted on ESD work stations.
Sweaters, coats, smocks, etc., are not permitted on the back of the chair.
Figure 13: ESD Safe Workstation
Sep04 / THTT
Copyright by SR Technics Switzerland
Corresponding with EASA Part-66
For training purposes only 5.12 - 7 Cat: B1.1
Basic Maintenance
Training Manual
Module 5 Digital Technology / EIS
5.12 Electrostatic Sensitive Devices
Things to remember to prevent an ESD event:
Figure 14: Grounding
At aircraft
Establish good grounds (as for fueling) if a unit has to be serviced.
Discharge your own body electricity by touching the metallic aircraft structure
or by using grounded wrist band.
When connecting test equipment, first establish the ground connection.
Avoid using flying leads on pins for testing.
Use approved test equipment only.
Do not touch any connectors pins
Protect the unit by placing protective caps on the connectors.
Place the unserviceable unit in its reusable shipping container.
Figure 15: Warning Plate on ESD Units
At workstation
The Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) can only be opened at an ESD-controlled
workstation.
The technician has to wear a grounded wristband.
All test equipment and tools are grounded.
Removed circuits board are stored and shipped in conductive plastic bags or
wrap.
Sep04 / THTT
Copyright by SR Technics Switzerland
Corresponding with EASA Part-66
For training purposes only 5.12 - 8 Cat: B1.1
Basic Maintenance
Training Manual
Module 5 Digital Technology / EIS
5.12 Electrostatic Sensitive Devices