ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) Testing
Electrostatic
Discharge (ESD)
Testing
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Testing is a fundamental part of EMC testing, designed to evaluate a product’s ability to withstand sudden high-voltage electrostatic events that can occur during manufacturing, transportation, installation, handling, or everyday use. These discharge events can disrupt sensitive electronics, cause data corruption, trigger unexpected resets, or even result in permanent component damage. By verifying immunity to electrostatic discharges, manufacturers can improve product reliability, demonstrate compliance with international EMC standards, support CE certification, and accelerate global market access while ensuring consistent performance in real-world operating environments.
Benefits of Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Testing
- Prevents component damage caused by high-voltage discharge events during assembly, handling, or field use.
- Ensures robust system behavior, avoiding resets, lockups, or data corruption from ESD strikes.
- Validates enclosure and grounding design, confirming proper shielding, discharge paths, and insulation performance.
- Reduces field failures and warranty costs by identifying susceptibility issues early in development.
- Supports regulatory compliance with IEC/EN 61000-4-2 for global market approval.
- Improves overall product reliability in environments with frequent human interaction or static-prone surfaces.
As an ISO 17025 accredited Lab, Stancer Testing-Lab is equipped to perform compliance ESD testing up to 16 kV for both contact discharge and air discharge methods. The ESD simulator (gun) used in our lab contains a 150 pF capacitor and a 330 Ω discharge resistor, forming the standard human body model specified in international standards. This configuration reproduces the characteristics of electrostatic discharge generated by human interaction or nearby charged objects, ensuring that tests accurately reflect real-world exposure.
Our Process and
Testing Capabilities
Testing is conducted in our controlled EMC testing laboratory using standardized test benches and grounded reference planes. As part of our electrostatic discharge (ESD) testing services, we perform direct discharges to accessible conductive parts and indirect discharges to horizontal and vertical coupling planes, simulating realistic scenarios such as a person touching a product or discharges occurring near its enclosure. Each test is carefully monitored using advanced measurement instruments to verify the exact discharge voltage, polarity, and repetition rate, ensuring accurate and repeatable EMC testing results. Learn more about electrostatic discharge (ESD), modern challenges, regulations, advanced protection strategies, and emerging applications.
Our procedures strictly comply with IEC/EN 61000-4-2 and ISO 10605. These standards cover a wide range of products across the automotive, industrial, medical, and information technology sectors, ensuring your equipment meets the required international immunity criteria through accredited EMC testing, EMC pre-compliance testing, and regulatory compliance services for global market access.