3.0 The Results: Grading a Component’s ESD Resistance
Based on the highest voltage level a component can survive without failing, it is assigned a sensitivity classification. This grade gives engineers a clear and standardized way to understand how robust the component is against machine-like ESD events.
| Class | Test Result (Voltage Level) | What it Means for the Component |
| A | Fails after exposure to an ESD pulse of 200 volts or less. | This is the most sensitive class. |
| B | Passes after exposure to an ESD pulse of 200 volts, but fails after exposure to 400 volts. | This is the moderately sensitive class. |
| C | Passes after exposure to an ESD pulse of 400 volts. | This is the least sensitive class (i.e., most robust). |
This simple A-B-C classification provides critical information that influences how a component is handled, used, and protected throughout its lifecycle.