3.0 Required Apparatus and Materials
The accuracy and validity of the entire ESD test are fundamentally dependent on the performance of properly specified and calibrated equipment. The use of apparatus that meets the stringent requirements of the governing standard is critical for producing meaningful results.
| Apparatus/Material | Specification/Requirement |
| ESD Pulse Simulator | Must be capable of supplying pulses with the characteristics required by the equivalent circuit shown in Figure 1 and the waveforms shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 of Test Method A115-A. |
| Device Under Test (DUT) Socket | Must provide a low-inductance connection path from the simulator to the DUT. |
| Oscilloscope | Minimum 350 MHz single-shot bandwidth with a visual writing speed of 4 cm/ns. |
| Current Probe | Minimum pulse-current bandwidth of 350 MHz. A probe with a nominal length of 1 meter, a 1 GHz bandwidth, and a 12 A maximum pulse-current rating is recommended. |
| Evaluation Loads (Shorting wire) | An 18 AWG tinned copper wire, with lead length kept as short as practicable to span the two farthest pins in the test socket. |
| Evaluation Loads (500 ohm resistor) | A 500 ohm +/-1%, 1000 volt, low inductance resistor, used for initial system checkout and periodic recalibration. |
Circuit and Component Specifications
The following component values and tolerances for the MM ESD equivalent circuit (per Figure 1 of the standard) are critical and must be verified.
- Capacitor (C1): 200 pF +/- 10%
- Resistor (R2): 500 ohm +/- 1%, low inductance, rated for 1000 volts. This is used for initial equipment qualification and periodic requalification.
- Switch Timing (S2): Must close 10 to 100 milliseconds after the pulse delivery period to ensure the DUT socket is not left in a charged state.
- Socket Adaptors: Stacking of DUT socket adaptors (piggybacking) is allowed only if the waveforms can be verified to meet the specifications in Table 1.
Before this equipment is used for testing, it is imperative that all safety protocols are understood and observed.