Our EPA area requires trash bins made of anti-static material with lids. However, insulating garbage bags will be placed inside the bins. Since our floor is grounded, I have assessed that this method is acceptable as long as a 25 cm distance is maintained.
The auditor believes that insulated garbage bags should not be used in the EPA area. Please, everyone, help me evaluate this.
These can be considered as process required insulators. In this case, accourding to ANSI/ESD S20.20 or IEC 61340-5-1, if the insulator is greater than 300 mm away from an ESDS item, then it is acceptable. If it is closer, then it simply has to be determined if it is a threat.
There are two methods to determin a threat.
- If the field where the ESDS item is less than 5000 v/m or 125 v/in, there is no threat.
- Measure the insulator directly. Since it is 25 cm away, the insulator must be less than 2000 v.
Hope this helps.