New IEEE Course on Electrostatic Discharge Prevention

Today’s semiconductor devices are built with characteristics on a nanometric scale and operate on increasingly lower voltages, which makes them more sensitive to an even minor electrical opening.

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is a persistent and costly challenge in the electronics industry. A discharge of only 100 volts can degrade or destroy sensitive components designed to operate on tensions as low as 1.2 V.

According to the EOS / ESD association, ESD quickly and spontaneously transfers an electrostatic load induced by a high electrostatic field. It generally occurs when two objects with different electrical potentials come into contact or nearby, allowing electrons to jump together, often through a small spark.

The ESD can cause immediate physical damage to the circuit roads or introduce latent defects that lead to failures later in the product life cycle.

As electric devices become smaller and more sensitive, ESD risks increases, as well as their financial impact.

Industry experts believe that ESD is responsible for more than 30% of semiconductor failures during manufacturing and manipulation.

The financial impact can be added quickly. The cost of damage to discharge can range from a few hundred American for a simple diode to thousands of dollars for complex integrated circuits, according to the EOS / ESD association. When taking into account revisions, labor, shipping and general costs, the total cost for manufacturers can be substantial.

A new ESD protection design program

To equip engineers, technicians and quality insurance professionals in knowledge and tools to mitigate electrostatic discharge, the IEEE launched a practical ESD protection design program and a certificate program. The new training is suitable for individuals and organizations seeking to improve their ESD control.

Standard -based instruction is aligned on ANSI / ESD S20.20–21: protection of electrical and electronic parts and other industry directives. Interactive modules cover theory, case studies in the real world and practical mitigation techniques.

“An understanding of the ESD is evaluated in several areas, ranging from design to tests and manipulating equipment in the field,” explains Zachariah Peterson, member of the IEEE and ESD industry expert and executive consultant for Northwest Engineering Solutions, in Portland, Ore.

“The failure of the equipment due to the ESD leads to more than recreational costs, damage is also to the brand of a company. The possibility of anticipating ESD gives engineers a critical step in the creation of reliable products and a sustainable company. ”

After successfully completing the training program, learners obtain an IEEE certificate for 89 hours of professional development and 8.9 continuing education units.

As the electronics industry is evolving, the importance of ESD control should increase. With the rise of artificial intelligence, 5G and EDGE IT, the demand for high performance reliable fleas increases while the margin of error is narrowed.

The EEEE Practical IEEE protection program is not only a preventive measure; It is a strategic choice that can support innovation, quality and long -term success.