What is BS EN IEC 61340-5-1:2024 – Protection from electrostatic phenomena requirements about?
One in an extensive international series of standards on electrostatics, BS EN IEC 61340-5-1:2024 is about how users can identify and eliminate potential electrostatic discharge (ESD) hazards by establishing and operating an ESD control program.
Who is BS EN IEC 61340-5-1:2024 – Protection from electrostatic phenomena requirements for?
Users of this standard include:
- manufacturers and suppliers of electronic components;
- servicing and maintenance companies and individuals; and
- manufacturers and suppliers of ESD control materials and products.
What does BS EN IEC 61340-5-1:2024 – Protection from electrostatic phenomena requirements cover?
BS EN IEC 61340-5-1:2024 provides the requirements for an electrostatic discharge (ESD) control program. It applies to activities that manufacture, process, assemble, install, package, label, service, test, inspect, transport, or otherwise handle electrical or electronic parts, assemblies, and equipment with withstand voltages greater than or equal to 100 V HBM, 200 V CDM and 35 V for isolated conductors.
BS EN IEC 61340-5-1:2024 also gives users guidance on how to determine ESD hazards; ESD control program administrative requirements, initial process, and organizational assessment; documentation of ESD control program plan; and test methods, ensuring the development of safety protocols to prevent ESD damage in electronic devices and equipment.
NOTE: BS EN IEC 61340-5-1:2024 does not apply to electrically initiated explosive devices, flammable liquids, gases, and powders. ESDs with lower withstand voltages may require additional control elements or adjusted limits. Processes designed to handle items that have lower ESD withstand voltage(s) can still claim compliance with BS EN 61340-5-1.
Why should you use BS EN IEC 61340-5-1:2024 – Protection from electrostatic phenomena requirements?
Protection: Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage electronic devices and equipment. BS EN IEC 61340-5-1:2024 helps users deploy an effective ESD control program that will anticipate where damage can occur and stop it. Plus regular compliance verification checks and tests using BS EN IEC 61340-5-1:2024 are essential to ensure that equipment remains effective and that the ESD control program is correctly implemented in compliance with the ESD control program plan.
Performance and safety: Use of BS EN IEC 61340-5-1:2024 can help ensure that electrical and electronic equipment performs as intended consistently and safely, giving customers and end-users more confidence in equipment and helping maintain the manufacturer's reputation for quality products.
Efficiency: BS EN IEC 61340-5-1:2024 has been updated for clarity and to reflect the latest technology, ensuring users implement an effective and efficient ESD control program that meets current and anticipated future requirements.
What has changed?
BS EN IEC 61340-5-1:2024 revises BS EN 61340-5-1:2016. This edition includes the following significant technical changes:
- new definitions are added;
- updates are made to product qualification requirements;
- personal grounding now includes reference to groundable static control garment systems;
- Table 2 on personnel grounding requirements is replaced;
- the insulator section is updated to define what an insulator is;
- the isolated conductors section is updated to include a definition of what an isolated conductor is;
- Table 3 on EPA requirements is updated with new technical items including reference to BS IEC 61340-5-4 for compliance verification testing;
- Table 4 on packaging requirements is added to summarise the requirements in BS IEC 61340-5-3 and include requirements for compliance verification of packaging; and
- Annex A now gives examples of tailoring.
A Commented Version (CMV) of this standard is available here. Please note, the CMV of the standard is not adopted, and therefore doesn’t contain an additional national foreword, or national annex that might be contained in the BS adoption of the standard. However the IEC text that forms the content of the standard is identical to the BS adoption of the standard.
Commented Versions (CMVs) are specialized publications featuring detailed commentary from technical experts on the major changes between the new edition of a standard and the previous one. Comments may include an explanation for the changes as well as information on the impact of these changes on the application and usability of the standard.
