ESD wrist straps and grounding: choose and test

The parts of the system

• Wrist band. Metal or fabric, with a snap or banana stud. It must touch bare skin and fit snugly.
• Coil cord. Connects the band to ground. It has a built-in resistor for safety.
• Grounding point. A common point ground, a bench mat stud or a wall socket plug.
• Tester. A wrist strap tester or continuous monitor to prove the system works.

How to choose

• Match the snap size on the band and the cord.
• Pick the cord length for how far the person moves. Longer is not always better; keep it clear of equipment.
• Choose the plug type for your sockets: UK, EU, US or banana.
• For people who wear the strap all shift, choose adjustable bands that stay comfortable.
• For high-value lines, consider a continuous monitor that alarms if the connection fails.

Testing

Test at the start of each shift, or at the interval set by your ESD programme. Many programmes accept a system resistance between about 1 megohm and 35 megohms, but check your own standard and programme plan for the limits that apply to you.

1. Put the strap on and connect the cord.
2. Press the test button on the tester.
3. Read pass or fail.
4. If it fails, replace the cord or band, then test again.
5. Keep a simple record.

Common mistakes

• Wearing the band over a sleeve or glove.
• Using a damaged or kinked cord.
• Plugging into a point that is not grounded.
• Skipping tests on busy days.

Keep reading

• Wrist straps and grounding range
• ESD standards at a glance