ESD chairs explained: when does your workstation need an antistatic chair?

One invisible spark can damage a circuit board beyond repair. Static electricity is a serious production risk in electronics environments, and the employee’s chair is one of the biggest sources. In this article you read how static charge builds up, what an ESD chair actually does and which versions exist.

How does static charge build up on a chair?

Every movement creates friction: between clothing and upholstery, between shoes and floor. The body slowly charges up, sometimes to thousands of volts. When the employee then touches a component, that voltage discharges in a fraction of a second. That discharge is called ESD: electrostatic discharge. Harmless for people, often fatal for microelectronics, even when the damage only shows later as a latent defect.

What does an ESD chair do?

An ESD chair prevents charge from accumulating. All parts, from upholstery to base and castors, are electrically conductive and interconnected. The charge flows away controlled and continuously via the chair to the conductive floor, instead of building up and discharging at once. The Score ESD chairs comply with IEC 61340-5-1, the standard for the protection of electronic components against electrostatic phenomena.

When is an ESD chair mandatory?

Anywhere static-sensitive components are handled, in practice: EPA zones (ESD Protected Area) in electronics assembly, repair workshops, laboratories and cleanrooms. Within an EPA all elements together must deliver the protection level: floor, workbench, wrist strap, clothing and chair. A regular chair in an EPA breaks the chain and partly defeats the other measures.

Which ESD chairs are available?

Score supplies virtually every work chair range in an antistatic version. The Spirit and Pro work chairs are available with black antistatic cast PU (PU ESD). The Ergo 2300 series offers upholstered ESD versions in ESD Dralon and ESD Leatherette. For office-like workstations in the EPA there is the complete At Work ESD office chair line with three mechanisms. Footrests are also available in ESD versions.

PU ESD or ESD upholstery?

Antistatic cast PU (black) is seamless, chemically resistant and easy to clean: the choice for industrial EPAs and labs. Upholstered ESD versions such as ESD Dralon sit more comfortably during long shifts: the choice for assembly and office workstations. Functionally both dissipate the charge equally well.

Advice for your EPA

In doubt whether your workstation requires an antistatic chair, or looking for a complete EPA setup? See the ESD chairs in our range (filter on ESD) or request advice via our contact page.

Frequently asked questions