Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Standards for Commercial Electronic Products

dBi Corporation


A2LA Accredited Laboratory
Certificate Number 1985-01

John R. Barnes KS4GL, PE, NCE, NCT, ESDC Eng, ESDC Tech, PSE, SM IEEE
January 6, 2010
jrbarnes@iglou.com

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) tests check the behavior of products when exposed to discharges to:

Electric charge can build up on an object, such as a human body, when different materials rub together or slide across one another (triboelectric effect). If this charge doesn't have a chance to bleed off, it can create a high potential (voltage) on the object. Then, if the object gets close enough to a conductive object at a different potential, the excess charge will jump between them in a sudden arc of up to 100 amps, lasting a few nanoseconds. If this current spike gets into a sensitive electronic component, it can degrade, damage, or destroy the device. Even if the ESD arc doesn't cause direct damage, it generates intense electromagnetic fields from about 1MHz to 500MHz, that can couple into sensitive circuits and upset the product.

Because ESD discharges are relatively-rare events, most product immunity standards require the product to meet Performance Criterion B during ESD. I.e., the product may act up, as long as it recovers without user intervention.

The table below summarizes the evolution of ESD Immunity standards for commercial electronic products. Medical electronics and military electronics may have their own special requirements. The links take you to summaries of the standards and their amendments. "(Modified)" means that the standard/ amendment differs from the reference standard/ amendment. Entries in bold text are currently active for undated references.

Evolution of Electrostatic Discharge Standards for Commercial Electronic Products
Year Reference Year European Union Year Australia & New Zealand Notes
1984 IEC 801-2:1984 Edition 1          
1991 IEC 801-2:1991 Edition 2          
1995 IEC 1000-4-2:1995 Edition 1 1995 EN 61000-4-2:1995      
1997 IEC 61000-4-2:1995 Edition 1   EN 61000-4-2:1995      
1998 IEC 61000-4-2:1995 +A1:1998 1998 EN 61000-4-2:1995 +A1:1998      
2000 IEC 61000-4-2:1995 +A1:1998+A2:2000

IEC 61000-4-2:2001 Edition 1.2

 2001 EN 61000-4-2:1995 +A1:1998+A2:2001 (may use until 1 MAR 2012 2002 AS/NZS 61000.4.2:2002  
2008 IEC 61000-4-2:2008 Edition 2 2009 EN 61000-4-2:2009      


AS/NZS 61000.4.2:2002 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 4.2: Testing and measurement techniques - Electrostatic discharge immunity test

Equivalent to: IEC 61000-4-2:1995+A1:1998+A2:2000, & IEC 61000-4-2:2001 Edition 1.2
Replaces:
Replaced by:

For: Australia & New Zealand
Ratified/printed: 1 NOV 2002
May use starting: 1 NOV 2002
Must use starting: 1 NOV 2004
Must use until:
May use until:

References:
* IEC 60050(161):1990
* IEC 60068-1:1988

Referenced by:
* AS/NZS 61000.6.1:2006 (undated)
* AS/NZS 61000.6.2:2006 (undated)
* AS/NZS CISPR 20:2006 (undated)

Comments:

(hardcopy & d:\dbi\AS_NZS+61000.4.2-2002.pdf)


EN 61000-4-2:1995 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 4: Testing and measurement techniques - Section 2: Electrostatic discharge immunity test - Basic EMC Publication

Equivalent to: IEC 1000-4-2:1995 Edition 1 & IEC 61000-4-2:1995 Edition 1
Replaces:
Replaced by: EN 61000-4-2:1995+A1:1998

For: European Union
Ratified/printed: 22 MAR 1995
May use starting: 22 MAR 1995
Must use starting: 1 MAR 1996
Must use until: 1 APR 1998
May use until: 1 JAN 2001

References:
* EN 60068-1:1994
* IEC 50(161):1990

Referenced by:
* EN 55014-2:1997
* EN 55014-2:1997+A1:2001
* EN 55024:1998
* EN 55024:1998+A1:2001
* EN 55024:1998+A1:2001+A2:2003
* EN 61000-6-2:1999

Comments:

(hardcopy)


EN 61000-4-2:1995+A1:1998 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 4: Testing and measurement techniques - Section 2: Electrostatic discharge immunity test - Basic EMC Publication

Equivalent to: IEC 61000-4-2:1995+A1:1998
Replaces: EN 61000-4-2:1995
Replaced by: EN 61000-4-2:1995+A1:1998+A2:2001

For: European Union
Ratified/printed: 1 APR 1998
May use starting: 1 APR 1998
Must use starting: 1 JAN 2001
Must use until: 15 FEB 2001
May use until: 1 DEC 2003

References:
* EN 60068-1:1994
* IEC 50(161):1990

Referenced by:
* EN 55020:2007

Comments: Clause 8.3.2.1 changed - discharges to the front of the horizontal coupling plane are now done with the ESD gun horizontal.

(hardcopy & d:\dbi\iec61000-4-2a1.pdf)


EN 61000-4-2:1995+A1:1998+A2:2001 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 4: Testing and measurement techniques - Section 2: Electrostatic discharge immunity test - Basic EMC Publication

Equivalent to: IEC 61000-4-2:1995+A1:1998+A2:2000, & IEC 61000-4-2:2001 Edition 1.2
Replaces: EN 61000-4-2:1995+A1:1998
Replaced by: EN 61000-4-2:2009

For: European Union
Ratified/printed: 15 FEB 2001
May use starting: 15 FEB 2001
Must use starting: 1 DEC 2003
Must use until: 31 MAR 2009
May use until: 1 MAR 2012

References:
* EN 60068-1:1994
* IEC 50(161):1990

Referenced by:

Comments: Clause 7.1.3 adds a grounding strap with two 470k resistors when testing ungrounded equipment. Clause 8.3.1 changed - much more detail about direct discharges to the EUT. Clause 9 split into a new clause 9 with just the performance criteria, and clause 10 added with test report requirements.

(hardcopy & d:\dbi\iec61000-4-2a2.pdf)


EN 61000-4-2:2009 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 4.2: Testing and measurement techniques - Electrostatic discharge immunity test

Equivalent to: IEC 61000-4-2:2008 Edition 2
Replaces: EN 61000-4-2:1995+A1:1998+A2:2001
Replaced by:

For: European Union
Ratified/printed: 31 MAR 2009
May use starting: 31 MAR 2009
Must use starting: 1 MAR 2012
Must use until:
May use until:

References:
* EN 60068-1:1994
* IEC 60050-161

Referenced by:
* EN 50082-1:1997 (undated)
* EN 50082-2:1995 (undated)
* EN 61000-6-1:2001 (undated)
* EN 61000-6-2:2001 (undated)
* EN 61547:2009

Comments:

(hardcopy & d:\dbi\I.S. EN 61000-4-2-2009.pdf)


IEC 801-2:1984 Edition 1 Electromagnetic compatibility for industrial-process measurement and control equipment - Part 2: Electrostatic discharge requirements

Equivalent to:
Replaces:
Replaced by: IEC 801-2:1:1991 Edition 2

For:
Ratified/printed: 1984
May use starting: 1984
Must use starting: 1984
Must use until: APR 1991
May use until: APR 1991

References:

Referenced by:
* EN 50082-1:1992

Comments:

(hardcopy)


IEC 801-2:1991 Edition 2 Electromagnetic compatibility for industrial-process measurement and control equipment - Part 2: Electrostatic discharge requirements

Equivalent to:
Replaces: IEC 801-2:1984 Edition 1
Replaced by: IEC 1000-4-2:1995 Edition 1 & IEC 61000-4-2:1995 Edition 1

For:
Ratified/printed: APR 1991
May use starting: APR 1991
Must use starting: APR 1991
Must use until: JAN 1995
May use until: JAN 1995

References:
* IEC 50(161):1990

Referenced by:
* EN 50082-1:1992
* EN 55011:1991 (undated)
* EN 55011:1991+A1:1997+A2:1996 (undated)

Comments:

(hardcopy)


IEC 1000-4-2:1995 Edition 1 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 4: Testing and measurement techniques - Section 2: Electrostatic discharge immunity test - Basic EMC Publication

Equivalent to: IEC 61000-4-2:1995 Edition 1 (reissued 1 JAN 1997)
Replaces: IEC 801-2:1:1991 Edition 2
Replaced by: IEC 61000-4-2:1995+A1:1998

For:
Ratified/printed: JAN 1995
May use starting: JAN 1995
Must use starting: JAN 1995
Must use until: 1998
May use until: 1998

References:
* IEC 50(161):1990
* IEC 68-1:1988

Referenced by:
* CISPR 14-2:1997 Edition 1
* EN 61547:1995
* EN 61547:1995+A1:2000
* IEC 61547:1995 Edition 1
* IEC 61547:1995+A1:2000

Comments:

(hardcopy)


IEC 61000-4-2:1995 Edition 1 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 4: Testing and measurement techniques - Section 2: Electrostatic discharge immunity test - Basic EMC Publication

Equivalent to: IEC 1000-4-2:1995 Edition 1 (reissued 1 JAN 1997)
Replaces: IEC 801-2:1:1991 Edition 2
Replaced by: IEC 61000-4-2:1995+A1:1998

For:
Ratified/printed: JAN 1995
May use starting: JAN 1995
Must use starting: JAN 1995
Must use until: 1998
May use until: 1998

References:
* IEC 50(161):1990
* IEC 68-1:1988

Referenced by:
* AS/NZS CISPR 14.2:2003
* AS/NZS CISPR 24:2002
* CISPR 14-2:1997+A1:2001
* CISPR 14-2:2001 Edition 1.1
* CISPR 24:1997 Edition 1
* CISPR 24:1997+A1:2001
* CISPR 24:1997+A1:2001+A2:2002
* IEC 61000-6-2:1999 Edition 1
* IEC 61326:2002 Edition 1

Comments:

(hardcopy)


IEC 61000-4-2:1995+A1:1998 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 4: Testing and measurement techniques - Section 2: Electrostatic discharge immunity test - Basic EMC Publication

Equivalent to: EN 61000-4-2:1995+A1:1998
Replaces: IEC 1000-4-2:1995 Edition 1 & IEC 61000-4-2:1995 Edition 1
Replaced by: IEC 61000-4-2:1995+A1:1998+A2:2000 & IEC 61000-4-2:2001 Edition 1.2

For:
Ratified/printed: 1998
May use starting: 1998
Must use starting: 1998
Must use until: NOV 2000
May use until: NOV 2000

References:
* IEC 50(161):1990
* IEC 68-1:1988

Referenced by:
* EN 50082-1:1997
* EN 50082-2:1995
* EN 61000-6-1:2001
* EN 61000-6-2:2001

Comments: Clause 8.3.2.1 changed - discharges to the front of the horizontal coupling plane are done with the ESD gun horizontal.

(hardcopy & d:\dbi\iec61000-4-2a1.pdf)


IEC 61000-4-2:1995+A1:1998+A2:2000, or consolidated edition IEC 61000-4-2:2001 Edition 1.2 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 4: Testing and measurement techniques - Section 2: Electrostatic discharge immunity test - Basic EMC Publication

Equivalent to: EN 61000-4-2:1995+A1:1998+A2:2001 & AS/NZS 61000.4.2:2002
Replaces: IEC 61000-4-2:1995+A1:1998
Replaced by: IEC 61000-4-2:2008 Edition 2

For:
Ratified/printed: NOV 2000
May use starting: NOV 2000
Must use starting: NOV 2000
Must use until: 9 DEC 2008
May use until: 9 DEC 2008

References:
* IEC 50(161):1990
* IEC 68-1:1988

Referenced by:
* CISPR 14-2:1997+A1:2001+A2:2008
* EN 55014-2:1997+A1:2001+A2:2008
* EN 61326-1:2006
* EN 61326-2-3:2006
* IEC 61326-1:2005 Edition 1
* IEC 61326-2-3:2006 Edition 1

Comments: Clause 7.1.3 adds a grounding strap with two 470k resistors when testing ungrounded equipment. Clause 8.3.1 changed - much more detail about direct discharges to the EUT. Clause 9 split into a new clause 9 with just the performance criteria, and clause 10 added with test report requirements.

(hardcopy & d:\dbi\iec61000-4-2a2.pdf)


IEC 61000-4-2:2008 Edition 2 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) - Part 4.2: Testing and measurement techniques - Electrostatic discharge immunity test

Equivalent to: EN 61000-4-2:2008
Replaces: IEC 61000-4-2:1995+A1:1998+A2:2000 & IEC 61000-4-2:2001 Edition 1.2
Replaced by:

For:
Ratified/printed: 9 DEC 2008
May use starting: 9 DEC 2008
Must use starting: 9 DEC 2008
Must use until:
May use until:

References:
* IEC 60050(161)
* IEC 60068-1

Referenced by:
* AS/NZS CISPR 20:2009 (undated)
* CISPR 20:2002 Edition 5 (undated)
* CISPR 20:2002+A1:2002 (undated)
* CISPR 20:2006 Edition 6 (undated)
* EN 55020:2002 (undated)
* EN 55020:2002+A1:2003 (undated)
* EN 55020:2002+A1:2003+A2:2005 (undated)
* EN 61000-6-1:2007 (undated)
* EN 61000-6-2:2005 (undated)
* IEC 61000-6-1:1997 Edition 1 (undated)
* IEC 61000-6-1:2005 Edition 2 (undated)
* IEC 61000-6-2:2005 Edition 2 (undated)
* IEC 61547:2009 Edition 2

Comments:

(hardcopy & d:\dbi\I.S. EN 61000-4-2-2009.pdf)


DISCLAIMER
These web pages are freely offered to anyone who wishes to use them. No warranty for their use is expressed or implied. The most-current versions may be downloaded from the our web site at http://www.dbicorporation.com/.

These web pages can point you to regulations and standards applying to your product(s), but please refer to the regulations and standards themselves when deciding how to test your product(s). A regulation's or standard's title gives you strong clues as to what it covers, but its scope (usually section 1) tells you for sure. Carefully check the footnotes in tables, to see if your product falls into an exception that lets you avoid unnecessary tests (or sometimes requires additional special testing). Exceptions that can help you also sometimes hide in the Test Setup section (usually section 7). Also check the Test Report section (usually section 10) for any special documentation required.

COMMENTS
If you refer to one or more of these documents in written communications, please attribute them to http://www.dbicorporation.com/. Similarly, if you link to them from your own web page(s), we would appreciate an E-mail to jrbarnes@iglou.com giving the universal resource link (URL) so that we may provide a reciprocal link.

Please send critiques, corrections, and/or additions to jrbarnes@iglou.com , or by snailmail to:
John Barnes
dBi Corporation
216 Hillsboro Ave
Lexington, KY 40511-2105

Robust Electronic Design, Inc. is the research arm of dBi Corporation, an A2LA-accredited EMC/EMI/ESD testing and consulting company based in Lexington, Kentucky. Our staff has been directly involved in putting over 115 major electronic products into mass production at Sycor, IBM, and Lexmark, as well as doing the EMC/ EMI/ ESD engineering tests and FCC/ CE-Marking approval tests for over 231 products and 3 testers developed by clients-- bringing them into compliance with both domestic and international laws and standards. Our staff has also served as an expert witness on electronics in three lawsuits. We have over 36 years experience in the computer and electronics industries developing electronic products and electronic equipment that:
  1. Work.
  2. Are safe and reliable.
  3. Can be manufactured, tested, repaired, and serviced economically.
  4. May be sold and used worldwide.
  5. Can be easily adapted/enhanced to meet new and changing requirements.

Our President, John R. Barnes, is a Professional Engineer (PE) licensed in the state of Kentucky, a NARTE-Certified Electromagnetic Compatibility Engineer (NCE), a NARTE-Certified Electromagnetic Compatibility Technician (NCT), a NARTE-Certified Electrostatic Discharge Control Engineer (ESDC Eng), a NARTE-Certified Electrostatic Discharge Control Technician (ESDC Tech), a NARTE-Certified Product Safety Engineer (PSE), a Senior Member of the IEEE (SM IEEE), and an Advanced-class amateur radio operator. He has written three books: Electronic System Design: Interference and Noise Control Techniques, which was published in English in 1987 and in Russian in 1990; and Robust Electronic Design Reference Book, Volumes I and II, which came out in 2004. John has also written articles on designing electronics for electrostatic discharge (ESD) immunity for Printed Circuit Design and Conformity magazines.

Robust Electronic Design, Inc. and dBi Corporation may be contacted by:

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Last revised January 6, 2010.