DEFINITIONS
1. Contact Discharge – a method of testing in which the electrode of the ESD simulator is held in contact
with the device-under-test (DUT).
2. Air Discharge – a method of testing in which the charged electrode of the ESD simulator approaches
the DUT, and a spark to the DUT actuates the discharge.
3. Ground Reference Plane (GRP) – a flat conductive surface whose potential is used as a common
reference.
4. ESD simulator – a device that outputs IEC61000-4-2 compliance ESD waveforms shown in figure 3
with adjustable ranges shown in table 1 and 2.
REST (STRESS VOLTAGE) LEVELS
The IEC 61000-4-2 test level range is given in table 1. Stress tests should also be incrementally tested
above level 4 until the point of failure.
Table 1. Test Levels Contact
(1)
Contact Discharge Level
Test Voltage [± kV]
Air Discharge Level
Test Voltage [± kV]
1
2
1
2
2
4
2
4
3
6
3
8
4
8
4
15
(1)
Contact and air discharge are different test methods and test severity is not equivalent between contact and air discharge
methods.
Figure 3. Ideal Contact Discharge Waveform of the Output Current of the ESD Simulator at 4 kV
3
SLVU702 – March 2012
ESD Protection Diodes EVM
Copyright © 2012, Texas Instruments Incorporated
