Calibration of Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Generator in Accordance with IEC61000-4-2: 2008 at SCL

Abstract

This article demonstrates the essential procedures in the Hong Kong Standards and Calibration Laboratory for the calibration of an electrostatic discharge (ESD) generator in accordance with the International Standard IEC 61000-4-2 Edition 2.0 (2008–12) on electromagnetic compatibility. All the required instruments and special precautions to perform the calibration are listed clearly. The performance of an ESD generator has been tested and reported by following the requirements of the standard. The corresponding results, including the waveform parameters of the current discharge pulse and the DC high voltage test of the ESD generator before discharge with different voltages setting, are reported. The determination of uncertainty components is a critical factor for achieving an accurate measurement result. The measurement uncertainties of the calibration are suggested and clearly listed in this paper, and they are evaluated in accordance with the document “Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM).” The expanded measurement uncertainty U, with level of confidence of approximate 95 % probability is used in the calibration.