Teledyne 9110TH - Nitrogen Oxides Analyzer - Manual (Page 324)

Model 9110TH NOx Analyzer ESD Primer
Teledyne Analytical Instruments 304
still trapped and can still build to high enough levels to cause damage when they are
discharged.
A charge can be induced onto the conductive surface and/or discharge triggered in
the presence of a charged field such as a large static charge clinging to the surface
of a nylon jacket of someone walking up to a workbench.
 As long as my analyzer is properly installed, it is safe from damage
caused by static discharges: It is true that when properly installed the
chassis ground of your analyzer is tied to earth ground and its electronic
components are prevented from building static electric charges themselves.
This does not prevent discharges from static fields built up on other things,
like you and your clothing, from discharging through the instrument and
damaging it.
9.4. BASIC PRINCIPLES OF STATIC CONTROL
It is impossible to stop the creation of instantaneous static electric charges. It is not,
however difficult to prevent those charges from building to dangerous levels or prevent
damage due to electro-static discharge from occurring.
9.4.1. GENERAL RULES
Only handle or work on all electronic assemblies at a properly set up ESD station. Setting
up an ESD safe workstation need not be complicated. A protective mat properly tied to
ground and a wrist strap are all that is needed to create a basic anti-ESD workstation (see
figure 9-2).
W r is t S t r a p P r o t e c t iv e M a t
G r o u n d P o in t
Figure 9-2: Basic anti-ESD Work Station
For technicians that work in the field, special lightweight and portable anti-ESD kits are
available from most suppliers of ESD protection gear. These include everything needed
to create a temporary anti-ESD work area anywhere.
 Always wear an Anti-ESD wrist strap when working on the electronic
assemblies of your analyzer. An anti-ESD wrist strap keeps the person
wearing it at or near the same potential as other grounded objects in the work
area and allows static charges to dissipate before they can build to dangerous
levels. Anti-ESD wrist straps terminated with alligator clips are available for
use in work areas where there is no available grounded plug.
Also, anti-ESD wrist straps include a current limiting resistor (usually around one
meg-ohm) that protects you should you accidentally short yourself to the instrument’s
power supply.