How many volts in a static shock

As electrons transfer, the absence or surplus of electrons creates an electrical field known as static electricity. The simple separation of two materials, as when tape is pulled off a roll, can also create this same transfer of electrons between materials, generating static electrical fields. The amount of static electricity generated depends upon the materials subjected to friction or separation, the amount of friction or separation and the relative humidity of the environment.

Common plastic generally will create the greatest static charge. Low humidity conditions such as those created when the air is heated during the winter will also promote the generation of significant static electrical charges. Materials that do not easily transfer electrons are called insulators. Some well-known insulators are common plastics, glass, and air. When a conductor is charged, the free electrons give it the ability to discharge rapidly when it comes close to another conductor with a different potential.

Many of the common activities you perform daily may generate charges on your body that are potentially harmful to components. When you feel a static shock, you are experiencing a minimum of 3, volts of electricity.

While you can feel electrostatic discharges of 3, volts, smaller charges are below the threshold of human sensation. Unfortunately, smaller charges can and do damage semiconductor devices. Many of the CMOS technology components used in your facility can be damaged by charges of less than 1, volts. Some of the more sophisticated components can be damaged by charges as low as 10 volts.

You should be aware of the relative sensitivity to ESD damage of devices you may be working with. However, the current involved in an electric shock is determined by the voltage and the resistance of the circuit.

The human body has an inherent high resistance to electric current, which means without sufficient voltage a dangerous amount of current cannot flow through the body and cause injury or death.

As a rough rule of thumb, more than fifty volts is sufficient to drive a potentially lethal current through the body. Other factors that can determine the severity of an electric shock include the duration of the shock and where the shock enters the body. For example, a shock passing from one arm through the chest to the other arm is much more dangerous than a shock between two toes. A lot of work went into determining why they were failing and the damage trail led to the problem being static electricity.

This was the beginning of learning how to control these charges. Even today there are some engineers that believe static is an overblown issue. Devices have various levels of sensitivity. It is reprinted here because it is important information when you determine the level of your ESD program. Voltage Range.