Measurement of the electromagnetic field radiating by commercial ESD generators with the Pellegrini target on insulating material

• Published in: Measurement : journal of the International Measurement Confederation Vol. 42; no. 7; pp. 1073 - 1081
• Main Authors: Fotis, G.P., Christodoulou, C.A., Pippis, C.D., Ekonomou, L., Zafeiropoulos, I., Maris, T.I., Karamousantas, D.C., Chatzarakis, G.E., Gonos, I.F., Stathopulos, I.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-08-2009
• Subjects: Electromagnetic field; Electrostatic discharge current; Electrostatic discharge generators; Electrostatic discharges; Insulating material; Pellegrini target; Electrostatic discharges; Electromagnetic field; Insulating material; Electrostatic discharge current; Electrostatic discharge generators; Pellegrini target
• ISSN: 0263-2241; 1873-412X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.measurement.2009.03.012

The aim of this work is the investigation of the transient electromagnetic field radiating by two different commercial generators of electrostatic discharges. Measurements of both magnetic and electric field generated by contact electrostatic discharges have been carried out a few centimeters away from the discharge point. In this paper the current transducer, which is used for the measurement of the discharge current is not mounted on a grounded metal plate, but on an insulating material. With this aberration to the Standard a closer simulation to the electromagnetic field produced by the electrostatic discharge generators on the equipment under test is obtained. This experiment is closer to real conditions of electrostatic discharges, which do not involve a metal plate. It is proved by measurements that each generator produces a different transient electromagnetic field, which has different repercussions on the equipment that is tested. Comparisons of the radiating field between the two generators and useful conclusions for the variation of the electromagnetic field are also presented.