ESD Control Set-up

It's possible there is no 'correct' answer to this question. First, consider that each of these ESD control methods have a place in your plant, for instance: 1) conductive flooring with heel strap or shoe => Use where operators need to move frquently, say around process machiney, like placement or wave solder machines 2) wrist strap with continuos monitoring => => Use where operators don't move much and the potential to damage product is high, like a hand assembly area doing third operations. 3) normal wrist strap with the common grounding point. => Use where operators don't move much and the potential to damage product is low, like an incoming inspection or shipping area.

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One thing that is a constant in the electronics assembly world is change. What ever you setup now be sure to think about what might change in the not to distant future. My experience says that you want ESD flooring, although cost of course is a neccesary evil, the floor is a constant assuming it is installed right and grounded correctly. It ensures that you can easily install and move around virtually everything. Many areas need heel staps to work well and wrist straps are ideal but employees frequently do not like to use them. Keeping it simple for people to use is key as then they will. Things that move around typically have ground chains ie. carts. Anything on wheels needs a ESD safe floor with drag chains to conduct. ESD wax can work but I see to many times when wax maitenance is being done and the custodial people are using the wrong wax and end up with an invisible checkerboard of areas that are safe and areas that are not safe. Conductive flooring without wax just cleaned and buffed for maintenance works well. Using multiple systems in multiple areas tends to confuse people. Using one standard method usualy works better because people will use it as routine and you will have less need for the ESD police.

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