Rules for Handling Electrostatically Sensitive Devices (ESD)
B-2
FM 456-2 Application Function Module Installation, Hardware, and Startup
C79000-G7076-C458-01
B.1
What Does ESD Mean?
Definition
All electronic modules are equipped with highly integrated devices or components.
Because of their technology, these components are very sensitive to overvoltages
and therefore to static electrical discharges.
The abbreviation ESD is used internationally for these Electrostatically Sensitive
Devices. In Germany these are referred to as EGB (Elektrostatisch Gefährdeten
Baugruppen).
Electrostatically sensitive devices are identified with the symbol shown below:
!
Caution
Electrostatically sensitive devices can be destroyed by voltages well below those
that you can normally detect. These voltages occur when you touch a component
or the connections of a module without having first ensured that you are
electrostatically discharged. The damage that can be caused to a module by
overvoltage cannot usually be recognized immediately, but only becomes apparent
after a lengthy period of operation.