ESD ELEKTRO STATIC DISCHARGE
ESD Electrostatic Discharge 
Shoes are classed as ESD shoes when the on-state resistance value of the system person-shoe-floor is under 3,5 x 107 or 35 MOhm according to EN 61340-5-1 (verification).
The qualification of the shoes is made depending on the climate classifications 1 (15% relative humidity), 2 (25% relative humidity) and 3 (50% relative humidity) according to EN 61340-4-3 <108 Ohm.
Attention should be paid to the different procedures of both of the test methods: EN 61340-4-3 metal balls in the shoe on a metal plate; EN 61340-5-1 human being in the shoes on a metal plate or the floor used.
Shoes used for primary grounding in ESD protection must be selected in combination with the floor covering to be used so that the combined resistance to ground (Rg) is in the range required.
(Please, refer to the information leaflet in the carton.)
Warning: ESD shoes are not suitable for electricians respectively when working on sources with electric voltage.
Factors influencing Electrostatic charge and discharge:
- climatic conditions (humidity, temperature)
- soiling of the floor
- speed of separation of parts
- nature of material
- nature of surface
- electrical resistance of the surface
- material and construction of the shoe
The level of charge generated is influenced by atmospheric (% RH). When humidity is low, charge will be greater and more damaging.
According to the ESD DIN EN 61340 standards, the ESD co-ordinator in the company must take into account both best and worse climatic conditions, for instance minimum temperature with minimum relative humidity or maximum temperature with maximum relative humidity, in order to test if the parameters of ESD protection are continuously in line with the standards.
