On the development of passive/active guard electrode systems for human body electrostatic discharge (ESD) control ☆

The electrostatic discharge (ESD) characteristics of a three-body problem comprised of a charged human body approaching an electronic system with an interposed guard electrode are investigated. Capacitance coefficients were measured; for an assumed charge on the human body, body potentials were calculated and the relative effectiveness of the guard electrode to control the ESD event evaluated. The results indicate that the concept of an active guard electrode can reduce the likelihood of an ESD event.