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3 Normative Documents and Declarations
3.1
Electrical
3.1.1
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
When handling disconnected devices, electrostatic discharge (ESD) can cause
damage if discharged into or near sensitive components on the device. Take
steps to avoid such an occurrence.
CAUTION
HBM uses state
-
of
-
the
-
art electronic components in its equipment. These
electronic components can be damaged by discharge of static electricity
(ESD). ESD damage is quite easy to induce, often hard to detect, and
always costly. Therefore, we must emphasize the importance of ESD
preventions when handling a GEN series system, its connections or a
plug
-
in card.
Description of ESD
Static electricity is an electrical charge caused by the buildup of excess
electrons on the surface of a material. To most people, static electricity and
ESD are nothing more than annoyances. For example, after walking over a
carpet while scuffing your feet, building up electrons on your body, you may get
a shock
-
the discharge event
-
when you touch a metal doorknob. This little
shock discharges the built
-
up static electricity.
ESD
-
susceptible equipment
Even a small amount of ESD can harm circuitry, so when working with electronic
devices, take measures to help protect the electronic devices, including the
GEN3t Portable data recorder, from ESD harm. Although HBM has built
protections against ESD into its products, ESD exists and, unless neutralized,
could build up to levels that could harm the equipment. Any electronic device
that contains an external entry point for plugging in anything from cables to
acquisition cards is susceptible to entry of ESD.
Precautions against ESD
Any built
-
up static electricity should be discharged from the user and the
electronic devices before touching an electronic device, before connecting one
device to another, or replacing acquisition cards. This can be done in many
ways, including the following:
GEN3t
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I3995-3.1 en HBM: public