An improved model of man for ESD applications

Human-generated ESD current waveshapes are predicted under contact discharge and arc discharge conditions. The uncertainties connected to the man´s posture and proximity to the victim element are carefully examined. The adopted human body model is devised to be composed of 11 elemental blocks and treated by the diakoptic method in analogy with network theory. The set of given leakage capacitances, in conjunction with the resistances and inductances as serial parameters, forms a complex RLC network. The assembly includes the grounded or ungrounded victim element and image elements due to the presence of the plane and a nearby vertical wall. PSPICE software allows the discharge scenario to be evaluated. New insight into the complex charge transfer is thus gained, which has been combined with arc derived performances. This careful analytical interpretation of the ESD phenomenon could contribute to in-progress standardization.