Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
makerElectrostatic Discharge (ESD) is the sudden flow of electricity between two electrically charged objects caused by contact or electrical short.
expanded
ESD occurs when there is a difference in electrical potential between two objects, resulting in a rapid transfer of charge. This discharge can cause significant damage to sensitive electronic components, making ESD protection crucial in electronic manufacturing and repair procedures.
examples
An ESD event during the handling of a microprocessor.
In electronics assembly lines, ESD can occur when a charged worker comes into contact with a grounded microprocessor, potentially causing irreversible damage to the microprocessor's semiconductor pathways.
Static electricity built up in a human body discharges to sensitive components.
In an electronics repair facility, technicians use ESD wrist straps to prevent static discharge from damaging printed circuit boards (PCBs).