ESD stands for electrostatic discharge. Under certain circumstances, when two materials with different charges approach each other, a potential transfer occurs.
This common phenomenon, known as electrostatic discharge (ESD), amplitudes can range from almost unmeasurable electronic motion to hundreds of millions of volts.
Anti-static or electrostatic discharge (ESD) gloves protect workers and the environment around them, as they are designed to be used in particle sensitive and low-contaminate environments, such as laboratories, cleanrooms, the biotech industry, and electronic works.
Anti-static equipment can reduce the accumulation of static electricity on the equipment or your body.
Anti-static gloves reduce the risk of electrostatic shock by discharging accumulated static electricity. By dissipating the accumulated static electricity, you can reduce the risk of electrostatic shock.
The primary purpose of anti-static gloves is to protect electronic components. Electronic components, such as circuit boards, are easily damaged by electrical discharge. Anti-static gloves should be conductive or static dissipative.
In simple words, they either conduct electricity or dissipate static electricity. Apart from that, these gloves have a mixture of soft conductive materials and synthetic fibers. This construction makes the gloves more conductive and prevents static electricity from accumulating.
Anti-static gloves only reduce the risk of electrostatic discharge; thus, you should keep in mind that using a grounding wrist strap is vital to ensure the lowest possibility of electrostatic discharge.
Why should you use anti-static gloves? When two surfaces touch and separate, the charges will be unbalanced. If one of the surfaces has high electrical resistance, electrical charges will accumulate in the object.
The imbalance of charges inside or on the surface of the material can cause static electricity. This charge remains in the material until it can be removed by current or discharge. Most of us are familiar with the effects of static electricity because when the excess charge is neutralized, we can feel, hear, and even see sparks.
The neutralization of the charge causes the familiar phenomenon of a static shock or an electrostatic discharge. A quick neutralization of the imbalance results in sudden electronic discharge.
ESD gloves can be worn for a wide range of situations such as:
Overall, ESD gloves are recommended if you handle electronics often, for higher productivity and lower risk in your day-to-day tasks.
Ansell has single-use gloves, mechanical gloves, and even body protection PPE that provide the ESD Protection that you need. Below you will find some of our ESD protection solutions including mechanical gloves, single-use gloves, and body protection.