Description / Abstract:
This SAE Standard specifies the test methods and procedures
necessary to evaluate electrical components intended for automotive
use to the threat of Electrostatic Discharges (ESDs). It describes
test procedures for evaluating electrical components on the bench
in the powered mode and for the packaging and handling non-powered
mode.
A procedure for calibrating the simulator that is used for
electrostatic discharges is given in Appendix A.
An example of how to calculate the RC Time Constant is given in
Appendix B
Functional Performance Status Classifications for immunity to
ESD and Sensitivity classifications for ESD sensitive devices are
given in Appendix C.
Measurement Philosophy
The familiar static charge generated and discharged when moving
about inside a vehicle or exiting from a vehicle has assumed
greater significance with the increase of vehicular electronic
components. Tests simulating the electrostatic discharge of humans,
in common use by non-automotive industries, were examined and it
was determined that they were not applicable to the automotive
environment. As a consequence, tests tailored to the automotive
environment were developed.
Tests that simulate an electrostatic discharge (ESD) into a
vehicular electrical system are based on the human ESD model. The
ESD model consists essentially of a capacitor formed by a person to
his surroundings and discharged through a path that includes that
persons resistance as well as vehicle loads. Sensitive electrical
devices can be adversely affected by energy either injected or
coupled from electrostatic discharges.
ESD generates transient coupled EM fields as a result of the
rapid high-voltage charge transfer. These EM fields are an inherent
part of the discharge event and are not simulated separately.
Components can also be damaged by ESD during handling and they
should therefore be evaluated for ESD sensitivity in a non-powered
mode. The test procedures to evaluate the ESD sensitivity
classification of components in a non-powered mode is detailed in
Section 5 of this document.