T.O. 00-25-234 CHAPTER 7.pdf

This is a technical guidance document from TO 00-25-234 providing instructions on electrostatic discharge (ESD) control procedures for Air Force personnel and contractors handling ESD-sensitive items. The document establishes the framework for minimizing ESD damage to electronic parts, assemblies, and equipment across all Air Force facilities.

The chapter defines static electricity principles, ESD damage mechanisms, and susceptibility thresholds for electronic components, including discrete parts (resistors, transistors, diodes, MOSFETs), circuit boards, modules, assemblies, and systems. ESD damage can cause catastrophic failure, intermittent failures, or latent defects in sensitive devices at voltages as low as 25 volts, with human body discharge potential reaching up to 35,000 volts under certain conditions. The document identifies typical sources of static electricity in work environments and establishes ESD control strategies centered on two fundamental rules: (1) handle all ESD-sensitive items at approved static control workstations with personnel wearing wrist straps, and (2) transport and store all ESD items in static shielding containers and non-charge generating packages. The document describes four types of static control workstations—permanent, cushioned, rigid, and portable—with specifications for grounding, monitoring, and material composition. It references numerous military standards and specifications for ESD protective packaging, marking, handling procedures, and testing requirements, including MIL-PRF-87893 for workstations and MIL-HDBK-773 for protective packaging.