The third edition of IEC 61340-5-1:2024, published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), is a core international standard in the field of electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, outlining comprehensive requirements for ESD protection during the manufacturing process of electronic devices. This standard applies to all organizations handling electronic devices, components, and equipment with withstand voltages ≥100V HBM (human body model) and ≥200V CDM (charged device model).

Standard Technical Framework and Major Changes

The 2024 version of the standard has undergone significant technical revisions compared to the 2016 version, mainly including nine major changes:

Change Item | 2016 Requirements | 2024 Requirements | Technical Impact

Terminology Definitions | Basic terminology system | Added several key definitions | Improved consistency of standard terminology

Product Qualification Requirements | Existing requirements | Updated qualification certification process | Strengthened equipment access management

Personnel Grounding System | Basic wrist strap requirements | Added groundable electrostatic protective clothing system | Improved personnel protection level

Insulator Definitions | Undefined | Clarified technical characteristics of insulators | Unified technical understanding

Isolating Conductors | Machine Model (MM) | 35V voltage limit requirements | Refined protection requirements

ESD Control Procedure Management Requirements

Chapter 5 of the standard details the requirements for establishing, implementing, and maintaining ESD control procedures, including both administrative and technical requirements.

5.1 General Requirements

Organizations must establish, document, implement, maintain, and continuously improve ESD control procedures. The program must include the following elements:

ESD Coordinator: A designated person responsible for program management.

Program Customization: Protective measures customized according to specific processes and environments.

Documentation Management: All requirements must be documented and easily accessible.

5.2 Administrative Requirements

Administrative requirements cover four core plans:

Plan Type | Core Requirements | Implementation Points | Verification Methods

ESD Control Program Plan | Complete description of protective measures | Coverage of all ESD-sensitive operating areas | Document review + on-site audit

Training Plan | Initial + periodic refresher training | Customized content for different positions | Training records + effectiveness evaluation

Product Qualification Plan | Equipment access standards | Based on IEC 61340 series standards | Test reports + certification certificates

Compliance Verification Plan | Periodic testing requirements | Refer to IEC TS 61340-5-4 | Testing records + corrective actions

Grounding and Equipotential Bonding System

Section 5.3.2 of the standard specifies the technical requirements for grounding and equipotential bonding systems, which are the foundation of ESD protection.

Grounding System Configuration

An effective grounding reference point must be established within the EPA area, and all conductors should be at the same potential through equipotential bonding. Grounding resistance requirements are as follows:

Grounding Type | Resistance Requirement | Test Method | Test Frequency

Common Grounding Point | ≤1Ω | IEC 61340-4-1 | Annually

Equipotential Bond | Potential Difference ≤10mV | Voltmeter Measurement | Semi-annually

Equipment Grounding | ≤1Ω | Grounding Resistance Tester | Annually

A typical EPA grounding system configuration includes components such as a grounding reference point, common coupling point, and equipment grounding busbar. All components must maintain continuous electrical connection.

Personnel Grounding Requirements

Section 5.3.3 of the standard specifies the detailed technical requirements for personnel grounding to prevent damage to ESD-sensitive devices caused by static electricity from the human body.

Wrist Strap System

Wrist straps are the most basic method of personnel grounding and must meet the following requirements:

Resistance value: 7.5 × 10^5 Ω to 3.5 × 10^7 Ω

Test frequency: Test before daily use

Test standard: IEC 61340-4-6

Record requirements: Retain test records for at least 12 months.

Footwear System

When using anti-static shoes as a grounding method, they must be used in conjunction with an anti-static floor:

Component | Resistance Requirement | Combined Resistance | Test Method

Anti-static Shoes | 5 × 10^4 Ω to 10^8 Ω | 5 × 10^4 Ω to 10^8 Ω | IEC 61340-4-3

Anti-static Floor | 10^5 Ω to 10^9 Ω | IEC 61340-4-5

EPA Area Technical Requirements

Electrostatic Discharge Protection Areas (EPAs) are the core areas for ESD control. Section 5.3.4 of the standard details the technical requirements for EPAs.

EPA Boundaries and Marking

EPAs must have a clearly defined physical boundary and marking system:

Boundary Marking: Use yellow and black stripes or the standard EPA marking

Access Control: Provide personnel grounding preparation points

Access Restriction: Only trained personnel are allowed entry

Environmental Control: Humidity controlled between 30% and 70% RH

Surface Material Requirements

All surface materials within an EPA must meet specific resistance requirements:

Surface Type | Resistance Range | Test Standard | Remarks

Workbench | 10^5Ω to 10^9Ω | IEC 61340-2-3 | Point-to-point resistance

Floor Material | 10^5Ω to 10^9Ω | IEC 61340-4-1 | Point-to-point resistance

Seating | 10^5Ω to 10^9Ω | IEC 61340-2-3 | Point-to-point resistance

Packaging and Marking Requirements

Sections 5.3.5 and 5.3.6 of the standard specify the technical requirements for ESD protective packaging and marking.

Packaging Material Classification

According to IEC 61340-5-3, ESD protective packaging is divided into three categories:

Packaging Type | Protection Mechanism | Applicable Scenarios | Testing Requirements

Electrostatic Shielding Packaging | Faraday Cage Effect | EPA External Transportation | IEC 61340-4-8

Electrostatic Dissipation Packaging | Slow Charge Dissipation | EPA Internal Storage | IEC 61340-2-3

Conductive Packaging | Fast Charge Transfer | Special Application Scenarios | IEC 61340-2-3

Marking Requirements

All ESD protected items must be clearly marked with:

EPA Area Marking: Using standard ESD symbols

Equipment Marking: Indicating grounding requirements and test date

Packaging Marking: Indicating protection level and expiration date

Personnel Marking: Training status and access permissions

Compliance Verification and Implementation Recommendations

Based on the compliance verification requirements of IEC TS 61340-5-4, companies should establish a comprehensive testing system.

Recommended Verification Frequency

Test Item | Recommended Frequency | Acceptance Standard | Recording Requirements

Wristband | Before daily use | 7.5×10^5-3.5×10^7Ω | Electronic record + tag

Workbench | Monthly | 10^5-10^9Ω | Test report

Static Floor | Quarterly | 10^5-10^9Ω | Area distribution map

Ionizer | Weekly | Balance voltage ≤±35V | Calibration record

Implementation Phase Recommendations

Enterprises should implement ESD control procedures in phases:

Assessment Phase: Current status assessment, risk analysis, gap identification

Planning Phase: Procedure documentation, equipment selection, training plan development

Implementation Phase: Equipment installation, personnel training, procedure trial operation

Verification Phase: Conformity verification, procedure optimization, continuous improvement

Maintenance Phase: Regular testing, record maintenance, regular auditing

By systematically implementing the requirements of IEC 61340-5-1:2024, electronic manufacturing enterprises can establish an effective ESD protection system, significantly reducing device damage and quality problems caused by electrostatic discharge, and improving product reliability and market competitiveness.