DESCO WEST
- 3651 Walnut Avenue, Chino, CA 91710 • (909) 627-8178
DESCO EAST
- One Colgate Way, Canton, MA 02021-1407 • (781) 821-8370 • Website:
Desco.com
TB-2005
Page 2 of 3
© 2014 DESCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
Employee Owned
“Wrist straps should be tested periodically. The frequency of
testing, however, is driven by the amount of risk exposure
that can occur between tests. For example, what is the
quantity of product handled between test periods?
Because wrist straps have a finite life, it is important to
develop a test frequency that will guarantee integrity of the
system. Typical test programs recommend that wrist straps
that are used daily should be tested daily. However, if the
products that are being produced are of such value that
knowledge of a continuous, reliable ground is needed, and
then continuous monitoring should be considered or even
required. Data taken from the test program will ultimately
allow the user to make the choice of how often the wrist
strap should be checked and which wrist straps have the
most useful service life.” [ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20-2008
Wrist Strap section 5.3.2.4.4 Test Frequency]
Desco has several wrist strap testers available for this
purpose. For more information ask for specification technical
drawings or technical bullitens by item number. If you obtain
a high or low reading from the tester you should stop work
and test the wristband and coil cord individually to find out
which item has failed. ESD lotion can be applied to the wrist
area to improve the user’s interface with the wearer’s skin.
Replace the bad component and test the system again.
Obtain a “Pass” reading before beginning work.
Per ANSI/ESD S20.20-2007 section 7.3 “Compliance
verification records shall be established and maintained to
provide evidence of conformity to the technical requirements.
The test equipment selected shall be capable of making the
measurements defined in the Compliance Verification Plan.”
Cleaning
For proper operation, the wrist strap, especially the wristband
strip, must be kept clean. All wristbands should be cleaned
with a mild detergent on a periodic basis. Be sure that
metallic expansion wrist bands are thoroughly dried to
prevent corrosion.
Woolite™ works well. Liquid detergents are better than dry in
that there is less caking and frictional wear. Launder elastic
wrist band strips in cool or warm water, tumble dry with low
heat or hang dry. DO NOT BLEACH.
Wrist Strap silver fibers are sensitive to heat and should not
be exposed to laundering heat in excess of 120°F. Use only
non-ionic softeners and detergents when laundering.
Size Adjustment of Wristbands
Elastic Adjustable Wristbands
The elastic adjustable band is designed to be adjusted to
the proper size to fit each individual wearer. After adjustment
it can be used as a fixed size band. It is only necessary to
adjust the size once.
1. Place the wristband on the wrist.
2. Open the clasp by pulling upward on the “tail” of material
that extends out from the clasp.
3. Tighten or loosen the elastic material through the clasp
until the wristband fits snugly but comfortably.
4. We recommend that you close the clasp and wear the
band with the excess tail extended for a day to be sure
the adjustment is snug, comfortable, and has the proper
electrical contact with the skin before cutting.
5. Test the wrist strap system to be sure of proper electrical
resistance and skin contact. Use the procedure described
under “testing”.
6. When you are ready to cut off excess material, mark with
a pencil where excess material is to be trimmed.
7. Remove band from wrist. Open clasp. Cut off excess
material about 1/4” short of pencil mark so that the end
of material is concealed by the cap. This will eliminate the
possiblity of exposed frayed ends.
8. Close clasp and use as a fixed elastic wristband.
19246
19350
19250
Figure 4. Wrist strap testers
