CEI EN 61340-5-1
ESD workwear

The CEI EN 61340-5-1 standard establishes the characteristics for the protection from electronic components and equipment that can be damaged by electrostatic discharge. This standard also establishes the characteristics that an EPA (Electrostatic Protected Area) must have.

What ESD certified clothing is

The abbreviation ESD, Electro Static Discharge or electrostatic discharge, indicates a sudden flow of electricity that occurs due to a contact, an electrical short circuit or a dielectric breakdown that occurs between two electrically charged objects. In particular, this type of electrostatic discharge occurs on ESDs: devices sensitive to electrostatic charges. To prevent this from happening, precautions need to be taken, such as wearing specific clothing regulated by the CEI EN 61340-5-1 standard.

Scope of application

Anti-ESD clothing complying with EN 61340-5-1 is made to be used:

• • In confined areas where the accumulation of charges can damage sensitive electronic components (EPA areas: ESD protected area). This type of area must be well identified and marked and can include a single workstation or an entire warehouse and do not necessarily have to be delimited by walls;

• During the production of electrical and electronic components;
• In the pharmaceutical industry;
• In the plastic processing industry;
• In paint companies;
• In biotechnology companies;
• Microchips have become smaller and smaller over the years and require a small amount of electrical current. An overvoltage would damage the microchip.

General requirements

To fulfil the characteristics described by the CEI EN 61340-5-1:2016 standard, safety clothing is considered ESD protection when it is not made with synthetic fabrics or wool but with conductive fibres and the cuffs at the ends (sleeves, trouser legs or collar) are made in such a way as to improve the contact between the conductive material with electrostatic properties and the skin. In addition, the metal parts must be covered and the garments must ensure the entire coverage of the inner layer when bending over.

When wearing ESD protective workwear the garment must be buttoned or fastened to ensure the necessary protection.

More on the CEI EN 61340 standard

To make sure you have adequate ESD protection, just follow four basic steps:

• Have a clear understanding of which active devices are sensitive to ESD;
• Ensure to handle the ESDs devices only in the EPA area and only using the prescribed protections;
• Sensitive devices must be stored and transported only with ESD protective containers;
• The operation system in use should be checked periodically in all its parts.

Discover the characteristics of the other certified safety clothing

See our entire collection for ESD workwear