Welcome to The ESD Guide!

Updated December 2023

The last versions of the 61340-5-1 standardwas published in 2016, and a new version is expected in the next year or two. The next version 61340-5-1 will be again very similar to ANSI/ESD S20.20 which was published in 2021. We are currently updating this ESD Guide to reflect the changes.

How to use The ESD Guide

The ESD Guide gives an introduction to the main requirements of the IEC 61340-5-1 Electrostatics. Protection of electronic devices from electrostatic phenomena - General Requirements  and its User Guide IEC 61340-5-2. We've also included some background information as to the principles behind these standards.

These documents are adopted as standards in most countries participating in IEC and in Europe and have replaced the previous European version EN 61340-5-1. They are available in the UK as BS EN 61340-5-1 and BS EN 61340-5-2. (See where to get 61340-5-1 & 2). These two BS ENs are technically identical to the original IEC documents.

Whilst The ESD Guide gives many of the key requirements, it is not comprehensive and we recommend that you obtain copies of both the 61340-5-1 & -2 documents for full guidance. If you need to check in detail the requirements of 61340-5-1, always refer to the original document. No liability is accepted by Electrostatic Solutions Ltd or Dr Jeremy Smallwood for any issues arising from errors or omissions in this ESD Guide.

Click around on the left hand menu to discover the main technical requirements of the 61340-5-1 & 2 documents. The right hand menu gives helpful links and other useful information. 

We will be adding to the guide as time goes on, aiming to make it clearer and more comprehensive - so email us with your questions and comments, and tell us what new aspects would be useful!

Take a printout if you wish

You're welcome to use the guide for your own purposes, subject to our terms and conditions. Printing pages should be a simple matter of clicking the print button on your browser. When using the ESD Guide, make sure that you always give due credit to Electrostatic Solutions Ltd. 

Tell your colleagues about The ESD Guide

....as far as we know, it's the only one around on-line! Just email them the URL address of this page!

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Add your name on-line to our mailing list, and we'll let you know about  updates to The ESD Guide as soon as  they are published. 

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Ask a question, send your comments

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