I have very limited knowledge on electricity, so please bear with me on this one....
So I understand that a 1MOhm resistor is included in ESD wrist straps as a standard safety measure.
My question is, does this 1MOhm resistor serve any additional purpose in terms of ESD protection? I've heard an equal amount of people claim that is does, and that it doesn't. The theory I've heard is that the 1MOhm resistor slows the static discharge enough to prevent damage to ICs, and other sensitive components.
For my application, I will be using two ESD mats (two layer), each connected to ground without a 1MOhm resistor. I will also be connected to ground via a wrist strap, with a 1MOhm resistor.
Per this document from Desco;
"ANSI/ESD S6.1 recommends that a non-resistor ground cord be used to ground worksurfaces and floor mats. However, cord may have a 1 megohm resistor for non ESD puropses. Selection of the ground cord is determined by user needs and specifications."
So my understanding is that the 1MOhm resistor is not required for the mats, simply because the top rubber layer provides more than enough resistance to slow the current?
Additionally, I'm wondering if connecting the chassis or the PC I'm building to ground via a 1MOhm resistor would provide additional protection (rather than grounding via PSU connected straight to mains). Say for example, the motherboard I'm installing happens to have a static charge built up, it will likely discharge through the case to ground. Assuming the 1MOhm resistor would slow the discharge, could this provide some additional protection?
Yes, I know this is a bit excessive in terms of ESD protection, but we all know that ESD can cause premature, or intermittent failures that are difficult to troubleshoot to say the least, and if I can do everything I can to prevent this on every system that I build (not cheap $$$), I'd rather take the additional steps. I don't intend to start the decade old debate regarding the actual risks involved with ESD, but rather want to answer the question for my own understanding on the subject.
Thanks!
So I understand that a 1MOhm resistor is included in ESD wrist straps as a standard safety measure.
My question is, does this 1MOhm resistor serve any additional purpose in terms of ESD protection? I've heard an equal amount of people claim that is does, and that it doesn't. The theory I've heard is that the 1MOhm resistor slows the static discharge enough to prevent damage to ICs, and other sensitive components.
For my application, I will be using two ESD mats (two layer), each connected to ground without a 1MOhm resistor. I will also be connected to ground via a wrist strap, with a 1MOhm resistor.
Per this document from Desco;
"ANSI/ESD S6.1 recommends that a non-resistor ground cord be used to ground worksurfaces and floor mats. However, cord may have a 1 megohm resistor for non ESD puropses. Selection of the ground cord is determined by user needs and specifications."
So my understanding is that the 1MOhm resistor is not required for the mats, simply because the top rubber layer provides more than enough resistance to slow the current?
Additionally, I'm wondering if connecting the chassis or the PC I'm building to ground via a 1MOhm resistor would provide additional protection (rather than grounding via PSU connected straight to mains). Say for example, the motherboard I'm installing happens to have a static charge built up, it will likely discharge through the case to ground. Assuming the 1MOhm resistor would slow the discharge, could this provide some additional protection?
Yes, I know this is a bit excessive in terms of ESD protection, but we all know that ESD can cause premature, or intermittent failures that are difficult to troubleshoot to say the least, and if I can do everything I can to prevent this on every system that I build (not cheap $$$), I'd rather take the additional steps. I don't intend to start the decade old debate regarding the actual risks involved with ESD, but rather want to answer the question for my own understanding on the subject.
Thanks!