kV and ESD Sensitivity

Late Model electronics are sensitive to static discharges of 2.0 kV. That means, the energy in a 2.0 V discharge will not interfere with the signals of older-model computers or PCs.

Today's faster, less robust chips are sensitive to charges as low as 100 volts. Within the next few years, most experts in the semiconductor industry predict that ESD sensitivity will drop to 25 volts.

• A kV rating measures the amount of static generated by the carpet and passed through the soles of a person's shoes.
• A person cannot feel a static charge.
• A static charge is released only when the person touches something.
• A static discharge can seriously damage a sensitive electronic component.

Testing kV RatingsFor a kV rating to be at all meaningful, the esd carpet must be tested under all pertinent environmental conditions.  

• The voltage testing should be done at low relative humidity
• Multiple types of shoes should be worn by the people doing the testing

Othewise, you haven't tested the real-world environment under which the carpet will be used.

ESD Carpet Samples Must Be Washed Prior to Testing In order to properly evaluate a carpet's static protective qualities, it is critical that the ESD carpet sample be washed before testing.

After production, manufacturers often spray their carpets with an anti-stat. While these anti static carpets provide good initial test results, as soon as the anti-stat wears off--usually in a matter of several weeks to a few months--that same anti static carpet can become a significant generator of static.