The Prostat PRS-801 is a portable, battery operated resistance meter, capable of measuring from less than 1 ohm to 2.0E+14. It could be challenging to make low resistance and high resistance measurements, and below are some tips to help accomplish these tasks.
Someone asked a question regarding measuring a tray with 2 different resistance instruments and getting totally different readings. The tray being used for the measurements was an uneven tray.
During a witness audit last week, a customer asked what the difference was between a resistance instrument Under Load and Open Circuit. The quickest answer to the question is that Constant Voltage (Under Load) instruments would be a Laboratory type instrument, while the Open Circuit is a general indicating instrument.
The Prostat PRV-813 Rubber Electrode Verifier has been designed because people in our industry keep asking, “Why do we get different resistance measurements with different electrodes?” After years of measurements, sometimes many thousands of measurements, electrodes are different from “new” and there is no realistic means to assess the current condition of used electrodes. We found that the PRV-813 is a positive step toward answering this important question.
Because the movement of people and materials through sensitive electronics environments generate static charges, the selection and use of floor materials to control electrostatic discharge becomes a critical issue. Frequently, however, users of
these materials base their evaluation, comparison, and subsequent selection on a potpourri of electrostatic properties and test procedures, many of them either inappropriate or inadequate. Facing the same ill-define requirements,
material vendors are at a loss to provide adequate products information for decision making and have little guidance for developing and offering products to meet use requirements. Read more…
Recently, a customer asked a question regarding use of the ANSI/ESD STM97.2 Walking Test (Floor Materials and Footwear – Voltage Measurement in Combination with a Person). She wanted to know if it was necessary to have for an EPA (ESD Protected Area). In my opinion the STM97.2 walking test should be used as necessary as follows. Read more…
Written by Stephen Halperin, Stephen Halperin & Associates, Ltd.; David E Swenson, Affinity Static Control Consulting, LLC; Craig Zander, Prostat Corporation
Originally Published: September 01, 2010, IN Compliance Magazine
The electronics industry is terribly confused by the term Class 0. Particularly when it comes to electrostatic discharge (ESD) device sensitivity and how the term applies to factory controls designed to mitigate ESD. The confusion manifests itself through the many companies and engineers seeking direction on how to “become qualified to handle Class 0 devices.” They are seeking this information because their equally confused customers have imposed requirements on them to meet this mythical level of performance. Not only is Class 0 as a factory level of performance a contrived ideal, it is not a realistic or useful goal. Our purpose here is to explain reality and what is necessary for understanding device ESD sensitivity and establishing control.
How can you troubleshoot ICT and Depanel Machine while it’s connected to ground? Of course you must look for fields, make sure there is continuity to ground from all metal in critical path. However, we developed a very effective technique of analysis that has helped us identify cause of problems in the manufacturing process. First, you must clear your mind of preconceived causes and measure the process objectively as outlined in the EPCA Technical Report, below. Read more…
Many people wonder if it’s possible to send data to the Prostat PRS-801 Resistance System. The PRS-801 Resistance System communication is “one way” only. It outputs to a spreadsheet – Excel is recommended. There is no communication to the 801 instrument, nor is there a two way function that can be implemented. Read more…
I was visiting a customer recently and an interesting question was posed regarding ESD Analysis. What is the advantage to using the Prostat CVM-780 Contact Voltmeter as opposed to the Trek Model 347 DC-Stable Electrostatic Voltmeter?
These instruments have different technologies and are used in different ways. The Trek Model 347 instrument is a “Non-contact” bench top type requiring AC power, while the CVM-780 is a “Contact” battery operated portable measuring device, using rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride batteries. Read more…
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