Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge - Agilent Technologies ESA Series Getting Started Manual

Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage or destroy electronic components (the possibility of unseen
damage caused by ESD is present whenever components are transported, stored, or used).
Test Equipment and ESD
To help reduce ESD damage that can occur while using test equipment:
• Before connecting any coaxial cable to an analyzer connector for the first time each day,
momentarily short the center and outer conductors of the cable together.
• Personnel should be grounded with a 1 M resistor-isolated wrist-strap before touching the center
pin of any connector and before removing any assembly from the analyzer.
• Be sure that all instruments are properly earth-grounded to prevent build-up of static charge.
WARNING Do not use these first three techniques when working on circuitry with a
voltage potential greater than 500 volts.
• Perform work on all components or assemblies at a static-safe workstation.
• Keep static-generating materials at least one meter away from all components.
• Store or transport components in static-shielding containers.
• Always handle printed circuit board assemblies by the edges. This reduces the possibility of ESD
damage to components and prevent contamination of exposed plating.
For information on ordering static-safe accessories, see
Additional Information about ESD
For more information about ESD and how to prevent ESD damage, contact the Electrostatic Discharge
Association (http://www.esda.org). The ESD standards developed by this agency are sanctioned by the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Chapter 1

Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge

"Accessories" on page 83.
Installation and Setup
21