ESD Immunity Testing

ESD Immunity Testing Services

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) immunity testing verifies that your product can withstand the sudden transfer of static electricity that occurs during normal handling and operation. Compatible Electronics provides comprehensive IEC 61000-4-2 ESD testing services.

What is ESD Immunity Testing?

ESD events occur when accumulated static charge suddenly discharges to or from electronic equipment. These events can cause malfunctions, data corruption, or permanent damage. ESD immunity testing ensures your product can handle these real-world conditions. For background see our introduction to EMC.

Our ESD Testing Capabilities

Discharge Methods

Contact discharge: up to ±30 kV
Air discharge: up to ±30 kV
Both polarities tested

Application Methods

Direct application methods
Indirect application methods
Horizontal coupling plane
Vertical coupling plane

Test Features

Single and repetitive discharge testing
Real-time performance monitoring
Detailed documentation

Standards We Test To

IEC / EN Standards

IEC 61000-4-2 - ESD Immunity
EN 61000-4-2 - European Harmonized Standard
IEC 61000-6-1 / IEC 61000-6-2 - Generic Standards

Product-Specific

IEC 60601-1-2 - Medical Device Requirements
EN 55035 / CISPR 35 - Multimedia Equipment

International

Standard Test Levels

Level 1

±2 kV contact, ±2 kV air

Level 2

±4 kV contact, ±4 kV air

Level 3

±6 kV contact, ±8 kV air

Level 4

±8 kV contact, ±15 kV air

Higher levels available on request

Test Application Points

👆

User-accessible surfaces and controls

🔌

Connector shells and interfaces

📦

Seams and joints in enclosures

➡️

Horizontal coupling plane (indirect)

⬆️

Vertical coupling plane (indirect)

Common ESD Failure Modes

Microprocessor resets or lockups

Data corruption or loss

Communication errors

Display anomalies

Component damage (worst case)

Our ESD Testing Process

Documentation Review

Review product documentation and identify test points

EUT Configuration

Configure EUT in representative operating mode

Apply Discharges

Apply discharges per standard requirements

Monitor & Document

Monitor and document product behavior

Classification

Classify performance per applicable criteria

Test Report

Provide detailed test report with recommendations. Consider pre-compliance testing to resolve issues before formal testing.

Accredited Standard Versions & Locations

Compatible Electronics holds NVLAP accreditation for multiple editions of IEC 61000-4-2, plus Korean and Australian/NZ equivalents, across three California locations.

Standard	Description	Locations
IEC 61000-4-2 Ed. 2.0 (2008-12)	Current edition — referenced by EN 61000-6-1, EN 61000-6-2, IEC 60601-1-2 Ed.4, IEC 61326-1 (2012+), EN 55035	Lake Forest
IEC 61000-4-2 Ed. 1.2 (2001); EN 61000-4-2	Previous edition — older CE marking submissions and legacy product standards	Lake ForestBreaNewbury Park
KS C 9610-4-2; KN 61000-4-2	Korean equivalents — required for Korean KC/KCC certification. See KN22 and KN24 learning page.	Lake ForestBrea
AS/NZS 61000.4.2	Australian/NZ equivalent — required for RCM certification	Lake Forest