Mr. Leung: If you want a REALLY low-cost ESD gun, you might consider a simple piezoelectric Barbeque Lighter. I wrote a short construction article about this back in 1997 (Test and Measurement World Magazine). BBQ Lighters are pretty gross, but they give a reasonably repeatable 0.5 cm spark. Use a fine hacksaw to expose the tip. Solder a wire to the metal case, and connect it to ground (to provide a return path for electrons). Uncontrolled risetime, polarity, and amplitude, of course. I have found (in our Laboratory) that this "Air Discharge" BBQ Gun will catch 80% of "valid" ESD failures. In other words, if your EUT "passes" the BBQ Lighter test, the chances are fairly good that it will pass a $15,000 Haefely-Trench ESD Generator. Given a choice, I'd recommend buying a proper Haefely-Trench Generator (absolutely the best gun on the market, in my opinion). Otherwise, visit your local market and get a BBQ Lighter. Have fun! Jim Ericson Quality System Manager/Senior EMC Engineer Acme Testing Company Acme, WA [email protected] p.s. Make certain to empty the Butane from the BBQ Lighter before fooling around with it! Go outside (in fresh air) and hold the trigger down. Or, drill a tiny hole in the tank...outside!
----- Original Message ----- From: [email protected] To: [email protected] ; [email protected] Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2003 1:14 PM Subject: Re: Design of low cost ESD gun. In a message dated 5/8/2003 8:53:56 PM Central Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: Can anyone provide some information about I want to make a low cost ESD gun for ESD test, the peak voltage about 4 or 8 k volt ( if it can induced + and - poloarity will be more better), the waveform just little similar to the specification, thanks. Mike makes a good point. Since Schaffner has introduced a new ESD gun, you may be able to find used older models very reasonably priced as folks look to trade up. Suggest you contact one of the ESD gun manufacturers to see if they have used equipment for sale. Cheers, Derek N. Walton Owner L F Research EMC Design and Test Facility Poplar Grove, Illinois, USA www.lfresearch.com
