ICOP’s IEC/EN 61000-4-2 ESD (Electrostatic Discharge immunity) testing

The static electricity generated in life can be a devastating disaster to an integrated circuit with a voltage resistance of several tens of volts.
The damage caused by static discharge to electronic products is directly observable, such as screen defects, melting or evaporation of metal circuits, changes in component resistance, destruction or breakdown of the oxide layer, and even the impact on the microprocessor causing the controller to mistake.

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) immunity testing is a critical electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) test, and IEC61000-4-2 is one of the standards used to test the ESD immunity of electronic equipment.

Scope

The object of this test is to establish a common and reproducible basis for evaluating the performance of electrical and electronic equipment when subjected to electrostatic discharges. In addition, it includes electrostatic discharges which may occur from personnel to objects near vital equipment.

Test Levels

• Severity Level

  Level	1	2	3	4	X
  CD	2KV	4KV	6KV	8KV	Special
  AD	2KV	4KV	8KV	15KV	Special

  ∗ X is an open level.

• Waveform Parameters

  Level	Voltage (KV)	First peak current (±10%) Ip	Rise time Tr	Current at 30 (±10%) I1	Current at 60 (±10%) I2
  1	2	7.5A	0.7~1ns	4	2
  2	4	15A	0.7~1ns	8	4
  3	6	22.5A	0.7~1ns	12	6
  4	8	30A	0.7~1ns	16	8

  ∗ Note: This table is simplified for the purpose of giving a quick overview. For detail as the official IEC 61000-4-2.

ESD generator features and performance

ICOP’s IEC61000-4-2 ESD immunity test

Test set-up for table-top equipment, laboratory tests: A wooden table of 0.8m height shall be set on the ground plane. 1.6m x 0.8 m horizontal and 0.5m x 0.5 m vertical coupling planes shall be put on the table. Insulating support of 0.5 mm thickness shall be inserted between the EUT/cables and the horizontal coupling plane.

Test Description:

• Environment
  1. Temperature: 15 – 35℃
  2. Humidity: 30 – 60%
  3. Pressure: 86 – 106Kpa

Testing Method:

The electrostatic discharge test consists of direct discharge and indirect discharge.

• Direct discharge
  The direct discharge is mainly to simulate the phenomenon of the human body or other power with direct discharge to the equipment, which includes contact discharge and air discharge:
  1. Contact discharge: mainly focuses on the exposed metal part of the equipment surface.
  2. Air discharge: mainly for the surface of the equipment covered with insulating material.
• Indirect discharge
  The coupling plate is at a certain distance from the equipment. It is grounded through two 470k ohm resistors, so when the coupling plate is discharged, the static electricity on the coupling plate does not leak to the ground immediately. The coupling plate is used as a static power source to form a static electric field to interfere with the equipment.