Electrostatic discharge (ESD)

The release of static electricity between two objects

A common and natural phenonemon, electro static dischange (ESD) occurs when a build up of an electrostatic charge has occured. This can be caused by something simple, such as walking across a floor, or two materials rubbing together.

One of the materials will become positively charged and when this has the opportunity to discharge to another material, the electrostatic discharge will generate extreme heat.

For an electronic component, such as disk drives, expansion cards and memory, if it is affected by a discharge, the associated heat can cause irreparable damage which may shorten the workable life or cause immediate replacement of the device.

Although a high regard exists for the potential effects of ESD, simple procedures, such as the use of an earthing wrist strap or ESD floor mat to disperse build up, are often overlooked.