Glossary of Key Terms
Glossary of Key Terms
| Term | Definition |
| Air discharge method | A method of testing in which the charged electrode of the test generator is approached to the equipment under test, and the discharge is actuated by a spark to the equipment under test. |
| Contact discharge method | A method of testing in which the electrode of the test generator is held in contact with the equipment under test and the discharge to the equipment under test is actuated by the discharge switch within the generator. |
| Direct application | Application of the test directly to the equipment under test. |
| Discharge generator | An apparatus used to generate repeatable electrostatic discharges of a specified waveform and voltage. Key characteristics include an energy storage capacitance of 150 pF, a discharge resistance of 330 Ω, and a minimum holding time of 5s. |
| Electrostatic discharge (ESD) | The transfer of electric charge between bodies at different electrostatic potentials, often generated by an operator’s body in a dry environment. The standard aims to test equipment immunity to these events. |
| Ground reference plane | A metallic sheet (copper or aluminum) of at least 0.25 mm thickness, used during testing to provide a common ground. It must be at least 1 m² in size and connected to the protective ground system. |
| IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) | A worldwide organization for standardization comprising all national electrotechnical committees. Its object is to promote international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. |
| Indirect application | Application of the test to a coupling plane in the vicinity of the equipment under test, simulating a personal discharge to adjacent objects. This method is noted as not being applicable to static measuring relays and protection equipment under this standard. |
| Measuring relays and protection equipment | The devices that are the subject of this standard. The tests are designed to ensure this equipment does not maloperate when subjected to electrical disturbances. |
| Test severity class | A classification system (from 0 to 4) that defines the test voltage level to be used based on the expected environmental conditions. Class 3 (6 kV contact, 8 kV air) is considered normal for protection equipment. |