TR53 Compliance Verification methods

Hello experts,

When I read TR53, I see that for checking insulators (As an example… same for other test methods), the standard has 3 ways:
7.3.1.1 Electrostatic Field at ESDS Item Location
7.3.1.2 Surface Voltage of an Insulator
7.3.1.3 Electrostatic Field of an Insulator

Are all 3 ways to be checked? or just 1 of them? or what is this based on?

Thank you!

Santiago,

The sentence right before the three test methods for insulators says, “For initial process qualification and ongoing compliance verification measurements, one of the following criteria shall be met:” So you choose which method you want based on what you prefer.
I personally like the first method (Electrostatic Field at ESDS Item Location) as it tells you what the electric fields are as seen by your product but you can choose what you like. Thanks.

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Santiago,

the method chosen also depends on the measurement equipment you have available to you. For example, for general field measurements, an electrostatic field meter may be just fine. However, for some smaller insulators or isolated conductors you may need a non-contact voltmeter because of the limitations a field meter has on smaller objects.

TR53 gives examples in the figures of the different meters that could be used

Matt

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This topic has been brought up before so I’m glad to see I’m not the only one.

Andy N. I see the “For initial process qualification and ongoing compliance verification measurements, one of the following criteria shall be met:” sentence you mentioned in SOP 20 8.3.1. But I would say this simply allows one of two test limits to met depending upon the items use.

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Based on what is actually written in TR53. There is nothing that would quantify that only one test method may be used. I do know and agree, that the “intent” is that the user would select one of these methods. Its just not how some documents are currently written.

Just wanted to bring this back up for awareness and when updates are being done, this is an opportunity for improvement.

Regards,
Chris

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Chris, thanks for the input. This subject was the most debated topic when updating ANSI/ESD S20.20. The “standard” allows for two ways to evaluate insulators in the process to determine if they are a threat. TR53 (R) defines test methods that can be selected depending on how the intial measurement is taken. This is not the only area in TR53 (R) where there are optional test methods.

The section on packaging allows for many types of tests that can be choosen for complinace verificaiton. While I understand the confusion that this may cause, it is almost impossible to write that into a document.

There are indiviguals that would perfer a simple checklist or procedure to follow. This is not the case as there are many ways to conform to ANSI/ESD S20.20. There are many places to obtain information and of couse this forum is also one way.

There are always ways to improve the documents. That is why the documents are reviewed every five years to see what can be done to make them better.
The standards meetings are open to everyone that is interested. The opinions are welcome and discussed in order to make the documents better.

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Greetings of the day to all from India
Yes JohnK Sir .
Your message in last three paras are true . Sure. let all the minded people keep moving together sharing their thoughts to make the revised versions more informative .

Thank you