Acceptance test requirements for the procurement of electrostatic discharge (ESD) protective workstations

Abstract

Test methods developed by the Aerospace Guidance and Metrology Center (AGMC) at Newark AFB for determining the acceptability of electrostatic discharge (ESD) protective workstations are reported. It is claimed that prior to this effort, no government specifications or standards for the procurement of ESD protective workstations or any other ESD control items existed. The lack of specifications for ESD control products has resulted in vulnerability and reliance on the product manufacturer as to whether effective products are received. MIL-W-87893, 'Workstation, Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) control' is the first specification developed by AGMC that has been published as a military standard. It specifies resistance requirements, static decay values, and general constructions requirements for static control workstations and their components for use in applications where the protection of ESD-sensitive items is required. >