Are you handling ESD sensitive devices? 3 symbols you need to know!

You will probably have come across these ESD Symbols before, but do you know what each of them are for? No? Read on!

1. ESD Susceptibility Symbol

The ESD Susceptibility Symbol is the most well-known symbol, it consists of a yellow background with a black triangle, and within the triangle is a yellow hand reaching to pick something up – the hand has been crossed out. It is intended to identify devices and assemblies that are susceptible to ESD.

When to use the ESD Susceptibility Symbol

The ESD Susceptibility Symbol is used as follows:

• on individual components and their documents to state: ‘this device is static sensitive; do not touch without appropriate precautions’
• on assemblies and their documents to state: ‘includes static sensitive components; take appropriate precautions’
• to warn those entering an ESD Protected Area (EPA) that ESD Protective measures are requiured. Find an example below.

Colour of the ESD Susceptibility Symbol

The colour is optional except per ANSI/ESD S8.1 “the color red shall not be used because it suggests a hazard to personnel.” The preferred colour is a yellow hand and slash on a black triangle.

2. ESD Protective Symbol

Just like the ESD Susceptibility Symbol, the ESD Protective Symbol has a reaching hand in a triangle. However, note the arc and missing slash through the triangle! Because of these differences, it has a very different meaning. This symbol should be on ESD protective products identifying a specialty product that has at least one ESD control property. The ESD Protective Symbol is also called the ESD Packaging Symbol.

If a letter is under the triangle, it should identify the most important ESD control property, per IEC 61340-5-3:2015:

• S = electrostatic discharge shielding
• F = electrostatic field shielding
• C = electrostatic conductive
• D = electrostatic dissipative

When to use the ESD Protective Symbol

The ESD Protective Symbol may be used to identify items that possess at least one ESD control property:

• Resistance (Conductive or Static Dissipative) able to remove electrostatic charges when grounded
• Discharge Shielding

Colour of the ESD Protective Symbol

The colour is optional except per ANSI/ESD S8.1 “the color red shall not be used because it suggests a hazard to personnel.” The preferred colour is a yellow hand and a slash on a black triangle; the arc should be black.

3. ESD Common Ground Point and Earth Bonding Point Symbol

These two symbols identify where all ESD elements at an ESD workstation should be connected. There is a newer and historical symbol; they are very different but basically have the same meaning:

• The Earth Bonding Point Symbol has the earth ground symbol and concentric circles around the ground snap, plug or jack.
• The ESD Common Ground Point Symbol has concentric circles with thick circle around the ground snap, plug or jack.

Both symbols should include text identification.

Use the comments section below for any questions you may have.

Reference:

IEC 61340-5-3:2015 – Protection of electronic devices from electrostatic phenomena – Properties and requirements classification for packaging intended for electrostatic discharge sensitive devices

IEC TR 61340-5-2:2018 – Protection of electronic devices from electrostatic phenomena – User guide

ANSI/ESD S8.1-2017 – For the Protection of Electrostatic Discharge Susceptible Items – Symbols – ESD Awareness