ESDS (ELECTRO STATIC DISCHARGE SENSITIVE DEVIES)

GENERAL:
Many electronic line replaceable units (LRUs) contain microcircuits and other sensitive devise
which may be damaged internally electrostatic discharges. These units are identified as being
Electrostatic Discharge Sensitive Devices (ESDS). Decals are installed on ESDS LRUs to
indicate that special handling is required. Personnel who remove, install and transport ESDS
LRUs should have an understanding of static electricity including its generation and protection
required from static discharges.
ESDS Awareness:
ESDS device is device whose physical or electrical characteristics can be altered as a result of
an electrostatic discharge through or across the surface of the part. The phenomenon of
Electrostatic discharge damage required widespread publicity; all personnel should be made
aware of the expensive consequences of failing to observe the correct procedures when
handling equipment that has been identified with the electrostatic sensitive label.
Electrostatic Charges:
Electrostatic charges (Electric charge at rest) are generated and stored in a variety of ways. It is
generated due to friction between different materials. The materials are either positively or
negatively charged.
Eg: Air, Human hands, Asbestos, Glass, Mica, Human Hair, Nylon, Wool all have +ve charges.
Steel, Wood, Sealing wax, Hard rubber, Gold, Platinum, Sulphur all have -ve charges.
Storage:
Static electricity is stored on non conductive materials until it comes in contact with 1 st
available ground. Human bodies, Hair, Clothing, Floors, Equipment racks and Equipment units
may be electro-statically charged.
Electrostatic Discharge:
An electrostatic discharge is a transfer of electrostatic charge between bodies at different
electrostatic potentials caused by direct contact or induced by an electrostatic field. Discharges
from nylon clothing or human hair into polyethylene or steel are capable of damaging
unprotective ESDS components. If static discharge can be seen or felt then it may be assumed
that the potential difference prior to discharge can be measured in thousands of volts.
ESDS device damage or failure:
Damage to internal components of an ESDS LRUs can vary from system characteristic
changes and/or performance degradation to complete destruction or failure of unit. All this
depends on energy and duration of static discharge. The less obvious kind of damage can cause
considerable and expensive maintenance problem such as intermittent operation, this may lead
to lack of confidence in the equipment.
ESDS device identifiers:
The following procedures contain the precautions necessary for safe handling of units identified
by ESDS label. The 1st requirement is to identify the ESDS area or equipment units by yellow
caution static sensitive label (Black nomenclature on Yellow background) these labels are
placed on:
the racks or shelves
metal encased LRUs
card files including LRU Printed Circuit Board (PCB)

Also these yellow static sensitive labels are placed on the back of metal encased LRu
boxes, near the connector. This is to alert personnel to avoid touching connectors pins and to
install a conductive dust cover on the connector when the unit is not installed in airplane.
Label Type: 3 basic types of labels (decals) are in use to identify units containing ESDS
sensitive circuits. The military and commercial symbols are used on some units while the
international (JEDEC) is used on most ESDS decals. ESDS PCBs that are LRUs are identified
by label static sensitive
Handling procedures: Metal encased units can be rack mounted bolted to airplane structure or
control panels installed in instrument panels.
Protective equipment: It refers to plastic dust cover.
Conductive or antistatic dust caps and connectors covers:
Conductive caps and covers are Black or Grey in color. The antistatic caps and covers white in
color are use as an alternate when conductive once are not available. These are made of non
conductive materials treated with antistatic solution and are marked with the date the cover was
treated.
Removal of metal encased units with ESDS label:
1. Remove system electrical power as per appropriate removal installation
procedure.
2. Loosen and remove the ESDS label units from the equipment rack airframe
panel.
3. Being sure not to touch the pins in the electrical connector. Check the unit to see
if a static sensitive caution decal is installed near electrical connector.
Caution:
ESDS conductive connector dust cover required.
The presence of such a label means the unit can be damaged by ESD through the connector
pins. Install
conductive dust cover on connectors that are labeled static sensitive and standard dust covers
on
connectors that are not labeled.
Note: Conductive dust covers are connector covers from the unit being installed may be
used on unit being removed. Transport the units as per standard practices with the
conductive ducts cover installed.
Installation of metal encased units with ESDS labels:
1. Ensure system power has been removed as per appropriate removal installation
procedures.
2. Being sure not to touch the pins, remove all conductive dust caps and connector
covers from the unit to be installed.
3. Install and secure the ESDS labeled units as per Removal/Installation procedure.