Characterization of human metal ESD reference discharge event and correlation of generator parameters to failure levels - Part I: Reference event

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) generators are used for testing the robustness of electronics toward ESD. Most generators are built in accordance with the IEC 61000-4-2 specifications. Using only a few parameters, this standard specifies the peak current, the rise time and the falling edge. Lacking a transient field specification, test results vary depending on which generator is used, even if the currents are quite similar. Such a specification is needed to improve the test repeatability. As for the current, the specification should be based on a reference human metal ESD event. While keeping the presently set peak current and rise time values, such a reference ESD (5 kV, 850-μm arc length) is identified and specifications for current derivative, fields, and induced voltages are derived. The reference event parameters are compared to typical ESD generators.