Where to Go for ESD Information

Information on procedures for controlling ESD is readily available.

Q. Where can I find information on electrostatic discharge (ESD)? What is it and how is it created?

A. Perhaps a good starting point is the six-part series on "ESD Basics" that appeared in Compliance Engineering in 1998. Prepared by the ESD Association (Rome, NY), the series covers the following topics: An Introduction to ESD; Principles of ESD Control; An Overview of ESD Control Procedures and Materials Auditing and Training; Device Sensitivity and Testing; and ESD Standards. The series is posted on the ESD Association's Web site, http://www.esda.org.

The ESD Association is a focal point for information on ESD. The association sponsors the annual EOS/ESD Symposium, which features technical papers, tutorials, workshops, and exhibits over a five-day period. The 2001 Symposium is scheduled September 9–13 in Portland, OR.

The ESD Association or local chapters sponsor a number of regional educational programs. During 2001, ESD tutorial programs are slated in Arizona, California, Illinois, Texas, and Oregon, with topics ranging from ESD basics to the new ANSI/ESD 20.20 ESD Control Program Standard.

Other educational resources available from the association include textbooks such as ESD Program Management by Theodore Dangelmayer or ESD in Silicon Integrated Circuits by Ajith Amerasekera and Charvaka Duvvury, technical reports on subjects such as "Can Static Electricity Be Measured?" and proceedings from past EOS/ESD symposia. The association's ESD Handbook is currently being updated and revised to support the ANSI/ESD 20.20 ESD Control Program Standard. The handbook discusses ESD, as well as procedures and processes for controlling ESD.

For details on ESD Association programs and the location of various local ESD organizations, check the ESD Association Web site, http://www.esda.org, or contact the ESD Association at 7900 Turin Rd., Bldg. 3, Rome, NY 13440; tel: 315/339-6937, fax: 315/339-6793, eosesd@aol.com.

Other Educational Resources

Some suppliers of ESD products and services also sponsor educational seminars. Several trade publications, such as Compliance Engineering, regularly run articles on electrostatic discharge. Electronics-related trade shows often include seminars and technical sessions on ESD. Check the calendars of the various publications for these events and activities.

Another source of books and publications on electrostatics and ESD is Electrostatic Applications, tel: 408/779-7774, fax: 408/779-3638, e-mail: electro@electrostatic.com, Web site: http://www.electrostatic.com.

To submit your questions to the ESD Help Desk or to browse the archives of past questions and answers, go on-line at http://www.ce-mag/esdhelp.html. Information on the ESD Association may be found at http://www.esda.org.

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