Accessories aid electrostatic discharge testing

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jun 15, 2004

Schaffner has developed a number of new accessories for the NSG438 to further extend the usefulness of this remarkable ESD tester.

Since its launch in June 2002 the Schaffner NSG438 handheld ESD system has become the industry standard instrument for air and contact ESD testing.

The battery powered, touch-panel controlled instrument is compliant with all recognised standards - IEC, ANSI, SAE, ISO and MIL - and is designed to be "future-proof", having interchangeable discharge networks, probes and easy to change control software.

To maintain this market leading position, Schaffner has developed a number of new accessories for the NSG438, to further extend the usefulness of this remarkable ESD tester.

For precise ESD pulse measurements the MD102 pulse target offers very small insertion loss variation, gold plated construction for reliability and includes a calibration adapter to ensure the accuracy of the measuring system.

The MD102 is a measurement device for calibration laboratories and specialists working at the cutting edge of technology.

The excellent frequency characteristics and accurate parameters of the MD102 meet the latest submissions to ANSI and the IEC.

The new draft standard specifies an insertion loss for the whole measurement chain of +/-0.3dB up to 1GHz and +/-0.8dB between 1 and 4GHz.

This means that the conventional measurement shunt can no longer be used, as the S21 parameter (insertion loss) of the target becomes a critical factor, and the MD102 now becomes an essential part of the measurement system.

Two new flexible test adapters have also been introduced to enable access to difficult to reach areas and components.

The INA4415 flexible tip set for the NSG438 consists of a sharp test point for contact discharge testing and a "test finger" which has an IEC conforming conical tip for air discharge testing.

These adapters are particularly useful in the automotive industry for testing on or behind dashboards and in industrial equipment where control systems may be inside machines or installations.

The flexible probe has been calibrated with a discharge network that complies with ISO1065; other networks for different standards are available on request.

The last of the new accessories is the INA4420 H-field adapter and discharge network.

Commonly required for testing printed circuit boards and final assemblies it achieves high magnetic field strengths.

Not only magnetically sensitive circuit components can be disrupted by the INA4420 as the magnetic fields can induce current spikes in the PCB tracks that may stress other components.

Great care is recommended when operating this adapter at voltages greater than 15kV.

Andrew Kotas, Marketing Manager for Schaffner comments: "ESD testing is essential to ensure electronic products meet the demands of real life".

"Our handheld testers have always been very popular and our new range of accessories extends their usefulness into new and emerging markets".

The NSG438 and its new accessories may be used for ESD testing of components and systems in such markets as telecomms, industrial control, IT, domestic appliances, automotive and aerospace.