EM Test
esd NX30
Instruction Manual
V 1.00.7
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3.3
Effects on the EUT
The most significant interference components of an electrostatic discharge are of a high frequency nature. The interference
paths and effects have to be assessed in the range from about 30 MHz to multi-GHz.
The extremely rapid rise time of a discharge affects an object under test mostly through:
•
Magnetic HF-coupling between electrical conductors in the electronics and the discharge current path.
•
Electrical coupling between the discharge current and signal lines. A discharge current to the EUT flows propor-
tionally through all the associated conductors (earth, mains, data lines, screening, etc.) according to their relative
impedance.
Malfunctions in insufficiently immune electronic equipment and systems make themselves apparent through:
•
Program crashes
•
Blocking of command sequences
•
Incorrect commands, statuses or data being further processed
•
Partial system resets (e.g. only in peripheral modules, which lead to errors that the system does not recognize)
•
Disturbance or destruction of interface modules
•
Destruction of insufficiently protected MOS components.
ESD (electrostatic discharge) testing usually shows up all the weak spots in the HF-range of a piece of equipment simulta-
neously. The uses to which the esd NX30 ESD simulator can be put hence go way beyond those called for in standard-
conform applications.
This instrument provides the engineer with a means to detect sources of error caused by unsuitable earthing, poor ground
connections, insulation problems, etc.
The generator also serves as a reliable aid for localizing hidden wiring faults during acceptance trials on installations.
Use can also be made of the instrument as an insulation tester to determine the breakdown voltage of switches, relay con-
tacts, insulators, etc.
