{"id":65,"date":"2019-12-03T13:12:20","date_gmt":"2019-12-03T13:12:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.messung.com\/blog\/?p=65"},"modified":"2026-02-05T12:13:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T06:43:07","slug":"five-key-elements-to-remember-before-deciding-esd-safe-chair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.messung.com\/blog\/five-key-elements-to-remember-before-deciding-esd-safe-chair\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Key Elements to Remember Before Deciding ESD Safe Chair"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We feel the effects of static electricity so often, and usually it\u2019s quite harmless. But in Electronic workplaces such as an\u00a0electronics assembly<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0line or electronics testing laboratory,\u00a0ESD<\/strong>\u00a0or Electrostatic Discharge poses a serious danger. Not so much to the operators but to the high impedance microprocessor based PCB assemblies, Electronic equipments and components being worked upon.<\/p>\n

Besides other equipment required to counter the effects of ESD, it is essential that you also equip your lab with specially and scientifically designed\u00a0ESD safe<\/strong>\u00a0furniture. Getting ESD safe chairs to complement your ESD work tables is definitely called for.<\/p>\n

All design elements in an\u00a0ESD chair<\/strong>\u00a0including the ESD seats and backs, the mechanism for tilting, the hydraulic cylinder, the star base and the ESD casters should all be designed to conduct the ESD to be discharged to the ESD flooring in the respective laboratories.<\/p>\n

So deciding to buy an ESD chair to minimize the risk of ESD is an important requirement.<\/p>\n

But how do you pick the right chair? Here are 5 qualities to look for:<\/p>\n

1. Third party verification<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are many ESD chairs available in the market that claim to be ESD safe. Ask for third party certification to ensure the chair has been tested and will deliver as advertised. From the chair seat and backrest to the ESD chair casters and other plastic or metal parts, every component should discharge static electricity as per recognized standards.<\/p>\n

The world\u2019s leading manufacturers such as Werksitz (Germany) produce ESD chairs as per stringent international standards i.e. ANSI ESD S20.20-2014 defined by Electrostatic Discharge Association [ESDA], IEC-EN-61340-S1 defined by The International Electro technical Commission.<\/p>\n

While checking the Chair for its ESD properties, the resistive range while using a megger, should be in the range of (1*10^6) to (1*10^7) one megaohm to ten megaohm.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”66″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]2. Ergonomics<\/strong><\/p>\n

While your primary motive may be ESD protection, don\u2019t forget that the operator will be spending many hours at a stretch on the chair. The operator will also be reaching out to various instruments, bins, soldering iron and keyboards. For this he would be continuously moving left, right, up and down, so the chair selected should facilitate him to do it easily while supporting his back extensively. Long hours of such work without a properly designed chair, results in discomfort and thus loss of productivity. So comfort and ergonomics is extremely important. Ergonomic chairs are designed to promote good posture, promote productivity and minimise risks of workers developing injuries or problems from repetitive tasks or long hours of sitting.<\/p>\n

The seat\u2019s height, depth and angle; the backrest\u2019s angle and lumbar support; the smooth movement of the casters; the supportive armrests \u2013 all this needs to be considered \u2013 and adjusted to serve individual employees. A chair that can be easily adapted for personal needs will assure sitting comfort and good back support. Moreover, the chair should be sturdy and well supported by heavy duty casters to allow smooth movement and prevent accidents.<\/p>\n

The appropriate standard for this functionality is DIN 68877 (occupational health and safety standard).[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”67″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]3. Warranty<\/strong><\/p>\n

Check out the chair\u2019s warranty before choosing to buy. There will be cheaper options with little or no warranty, but such chairs are sure to be less effective and less durable. Your chair should come with at least a 3-5 year warranty, to ensure you\u2019re buying a good product from an excellent manufacturer.<\/p>\n

4. Upholstery<\/strong><\/p>\n

While deciding the seat covering for the seat and back of the chair, you have many choices and you have to choose appropriately.<\/p>\n

Some find ESD PU more suitable, others find Synthetic leather or fabric more comfortable; some prefer a material that\u2019s stain-resistant and easy to clean. Depending on the needs of your\u00a0workplace and operators<\/a><\/strong>, look for chair coverings that fulfil your needs while providing effective cover from static electricity. Please note that the ESD characteristic of the chair especially of the seat and back should not wear away with time. There are many cheaper chairs in the market where only an ESD spray is used over the material on the seat and back. This can soon wear off and you would have a chair with Zero ESD characteristic, which is dangerous for the electronic circuits. As per ISO 9000, when your assembly or test unit is checked for ESD compliance, you will find that such chairs made by these poor quality manufacturers will not meet the desired parameters of ESD.<\/p>\n

Materials can be of different types<\/strong>:<\/p>\n