Yes, You Do Need an ESD Wastebasket

Originally posted as The Cause for ESD Wastebaskets by Transforming Technologies - Re-posted here, including slight edits, with permission

It is fair to wonder why there is a need for ESD wastebaskets. If the basket resides underneath a workstation, and stays there permanently, the need may not exist.

 However, there are a number of circumstances when the wastebasket could present a significant hazard to electronic products. The following are just a few examples of potentially risky scenarios:

Worksurface Cleaning: An operator lifts the wastebasket to the edge of the workstation to collect the debris being removed. Should a static-sensitive product be present on the worksurface and not contained in a shielding container, there is a good opportunity for exposure to electrostatic fields that exceed safe limits.

Lead Trimming/Board Cleaning Operations: When trimming component leads or using aerosol cleaners on PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards), some operators will hold the PCB over a wastebasket to catch the clippings or solvent run-off. Many times, the PCB will be placed well into the waste container to assure catching the unwanted materials. This operation puts PCBs and ESD-sensitive devices very close to potentially significant electrostatic fields.

Aisle Proximity: Some wastebaskets have been observed in close proximity to production floor aisles, where product transfer carts pass or may be parked. ANSI/ESD S2020 requires items that generate 2,000 volts or more (measured at 1” from the item) be kept at least 12” from ESD-sensitive devices. Using ESD wastebaskets eliminates the risk of carts being parked next to static-generating baskets.

While company ESD policies may prohibit some of the actions mentioned above, it does not mean that they will not occur from time to time. ESD wastebaskets provide assurance that the wastebasket will never be an ESD threat to your product.

Transforming Technologies offers ESD wastebaskets in static-dissipative polypropylene and in stainless steel for cleanroom operations. If a liner is to be used for easier maintenance, Transforming Technologies offers them in both conductive and static dissipative.

Please visit QSource.com for further information about these Transforming Technologies products:

28-Quart, Black ESD-Safe Waste Basket (WBAS 28)

• Material: Carbon-loaded, black conductive Polypropylene
• Point-to-Point Resistance RP: 10⁴- 10⁵ W
• Height: 15"
• Opening: 13.5" x 9.5"

22-Gallon, Black ESD-Safe Waste Basket (WBAS90)

• Weight: 7.5 lb.
• Dimensions: 30" x 20" x 11"
• Material: Carbon-loaded, black conductive polypropylene
• Resistance - RTP: 10⁴ - 10⁵
• Marking: Yellow ESD symbol

44-Gallon, Black ESD-Safe Waste Basket (WBAS180)

• Weight: 13 lb.
• Dimensions: 31" x 24" x 24"
• Material: Carbon-loaded, black conductive polypropylene
• Resistance - RTP: 10⁴ - 10⁵
• Marking: Yellow ESD symbol

2-Mil, 7-10 Gallon Pink Dissipative Anti-Static Trash Liners (WBASLP)

• Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
• Size: 24" x 24"
• Tensile Strength: 2,000 to 3,000 PSI
• Tearing Strength: 65- to 450-lb. per square inch
• Surface Resistivity: ‹ or equal to 10¹¹ ohms/sq.
• Static Decay Rate: 5 kV - 0 volts ‹ 2 seconds per
• Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions

3 Mil, 7-10 Gallon Black Conductive Trash Liners (WBASLB)

• Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
• Size: 24" x 24"
• Tensile Strength: > 2,000 PSI
• Tearing Strength: > 400-lb. per inch
• Surface Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 ohms/sq
• Volume Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 ohms/cm
• Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions

22-Gallon, Black Conductive ESD Trash Can Liners (WBAS22LB)

• Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
• Thickness: 3 mil
• Size: 24" x 24"
• Volume: 7-10 gallon (28-40 quart)
• Tensile Strength: > 2000 PSI
• Tearing Strength: > 400-lb. per inch
• Surface Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/sq
• Volume Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/cm
• Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions

22-Gallon, Pink Dissipative ESD Trash Can Liner (WBAS22LP)

• Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
• Thickness: 3 mil
• Size: 24" x 24"
• Volume: 7-10 gallon (28-40 quart)
• Tensile Strength: > 2000 PSI
• Tearing Strength: > 400-lb. per inch
• Surface Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/sq
• Volume Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/cm
• Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions

44-Gallon, Black Conductive ESD Trash Can Liner (WBAS44LB)

• Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
• Thickness: 3 mil
• Size: 24" x 24"
• Volume: 7-10 gallon (28-40 quart)
• Tensile Strength: > 2000 PSI
• Tearing Strength: > 400-lb. per inch
• Surface Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/sq
• Volume Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/cm
• Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions

44-Gallon, Pink Dissipative ESD Trash Can Liner (WBAS44LP)

• Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
• Thickness: 3 mil
• Size: 24" x 24"
• Volume: 7-10 gallon (28-40 quart)
• Tensile Strength: > 2000 PSI
• Tearing Strength: > 400-lb. per inch
• Surface Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/sq
• Volume Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/cm
• Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions

Don't Mean to Shock Ya, but 3M Static Control is Now SCS

3M Static Control is now SCS. SCS is a brand of Desco Industries, Inc., who purchased 3M's Static Control business on January 2, 2015.

The SCS brand will use the same part numbers, offer the same quality products at the same pricing, and serve their customers by the same people at 3M's existing Sanford, NC facility. SCS offers the same professional-quality static-control products including Air Ionizers, Anti-Fatigue/Floor/Table Mats, ESD-Safe Garments & Safety Gear, Personal Grounding items, Static Shielding Bags, Tapes, Striping & Adhesives, Test & Measurement Equipment, and many more.

At QSource.com, you'll find more than 800 products of the former 3M Static Control in our new SCS Department. If you've regularly ordered a particular 3M part, there is no need to change the part number. Everything remains the same…just a new name.

To purchase SCS products, please visit our SCS page at QSource.com. For further information, you may also contact Q Source by phone (800-966-6020), email, or via our Web site.

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3M’s 724 Dual-Wire Workstation Monitoring Kits: All You Need to Create a Static-Safe Workstation

Do you have work areas/stations you need to monitor for static safety? Confused about what you need or what works together well to accomplish such monitoring? 3M has now made it a little easier for you with their new 724 Dual-Wire Workstation Monitoring Kits.

These two kits (identical other than the color of the included table mat) offer a ready-to-use monitoring solution that as all you need to create and maintain a static-safe workstation. The 3M 724K-WM10 724 Dual-Wire Workstation Monitoring Kit w/Gray 8810 Mat and 724K-WM11 724 Dual-Wire Workstation Monitoring Kit w/Blue 8811 Mat include the following:

• 724 Dual-Wire Workstation Monitor
• 2368 Dual-Wire Fabric Wrist Band for Monitors
• 2360 Dual-Conductor 5’ Ground Cord
• 8810 or 8811 Dissipative Rubber Table Mat in gray or blue, respectively

Each kit regularly sells for $284.18, but you'll save more than $30.00 when you purchase them at QSource.com. Visit our 3M 724 Dual-Wire Workstation Monitor Kit page to place your order or contact us by phone (800-966-6020) or via email.

For additional Q Source product information, reviews, how-to articles, and special offers please subscribe to our email newsletter.

Training Ourselves to Better Serve You

For almost thirty years, we’ve aimed at being a solution-providing resource for our customers. One of the best ways we know how to do that is to be product experts. With that in mind, we’ve recently stepped up our in-house and off-site training sessions so that we can be even more qualified in making product suggestions to precisely fit your application needs.

The Techspray Roadshow

A Techspray representative speaks about
cleaning products for electronic assembly.

Two of our Territory Account Specialists, Jason Kuhlken and Diane Semple, recently attended the Techspray Roadshow hosted by ACI Technologies in Philadelphia. ACI is a premier testing and training facility for electronic assembly. Techspray is a leading developer of cleaners, coatings, and other safety-/performance-oriented chemicals and tools. Utilizing the latest equipment, they provided a perfect training ground for attendees to work with Techspray (and Plato) products in a real-world environment.

Our Account Specialists received an overview of cleaning applications (ranging from industrial degreasing to PCB defluxing), learned about the pros and cons of various cleaning methods, and were able to experience hands-on testing of the cleaning ability, spray force, usability, and plastic sensitivity of Techspray products.

In addition to sending our staff to on-location training sessions, we’ve arranged for a comprehensive schedule of in-house sessions to be attended by our entire crew. So far, these training sessions have included visits by reps from 3M, Unitron, and Elwood PCA/ADE, Inc.

3M on Static Control

3M rep David Leventhal & 3M’s Joe Gantner
talk about static control.

Appropriate solutions for static control can sometimes be confusing to nail down. With variables like environment, materials, and applications plus the concepts of conductive, static-dissipative, and ESD-safe options, well, finding the exact protective products can be challenging for the untrained. Our 3M rep, David Leventhal, and 3M’s Joe Gantner (Northeast Regional Manager), stopped by to put it all in perspective for us.

Starting with the basics about electrostatic discharge, electrical over-stress, etc., Leventhal and Gantner showed us how static is generated, the major problems caused by static, the types of damage to electronics, and all the shocking truths about ESD. Using their top-quality 3M static-control solutions, they demonstrated the different protective characteristics of static bags, the specific uses of ESD mats, and the importance of using continuous monitors.

Zooming Into Stereo Microscopes with Unitron

Unitron’s Peter D. Indrigo demonstrates parfocality.

One of our favorite application categories here at Q Source is microscopy/visual inspection. We understand the importance of using the correct tools whether you’re doing quality control, biological, or other detailed tasks. Peter D. Indrigo, Senior Vice President of Unitron, visited our office a couple weeks ago to help us enhance our knowledge of stereo microscopes, visual inspection systems, and more.

Indrigo brought a wide range of stereo microscopes and inspection systems along with him to provide us with a truly visual, hands-on training session. We began with the basic terms and anatomy of a stereo microscope and watched how all of the pieces fit together to influence field of view, magnification, and working distance. We learned about parfocality and the common accessories (such as ring lights, C-mounts, and reticles) that help create a powerful visual inspection system. Thanks to Mr. Indrigo we have a clearer focus on the topic.

PCA & ADE on the ABCs of Packaging

Tony Castellano (PCA) & Mike Marino (ADE)
discuss flexible packaging.

Our most recent visitors, Tony Castellano of Elwood PCA & Mike Marino of ADE, Inc., came in to discuss ESD protective packaging and other options related to storing and protecting sensitive devices. PCA (Packaging Corporation of America) and ADE are providers of packaging solutions for the industrial and consumer markets.

Castellano and Marino displayed a myriad of packaging options for static-sensitive devices and explained the importance of using the right material for categories like conductive/dissipative, anti-static shielding, anti-static, insulative, EMC, and environmental. They further expounded on that by detailing other attributes to consider such as chemical transfer, strength, water/moisture vapor transmission, testability, and other characteristics. By the time our visitors were done we felt they had wrapped up the subject in a neat little package.

In the coming weeks we have many more in-house training sessions scheduled. We’ll be better educating ourselves about all of the topics that are important to you (soldering, cleanroom, industrial printing, etc.) with the goal of becoming your number one solution-providing resource.

Please follow the appropriate links for information about our 3M static control solutions, Unitron stereo microscopes/visual inspection systems, and cleaning/assembly tools by Techspray & Plato. You can also give us a call at 800-966-6020 or contact us via email to place an order for those items or to get more info about PCA/ADE products.

For additional Q Source product information, reviews, how-to articles, and special offers please subscribe to our email newsletter.