ESD shoes provide the optimum protection against electrostatic discharge

When do I need ESD shoes?

If you work with electronic assemblies, there is a risk that uncontrolled electrostatic discharges (ESD) could visibly damage them, interfere with their function or lead to operational failure later on.

An ESD protected area, also known as an EPA (electrostatic protected area), provides effective protection against damage caused by electrostatic discharge. All precautionary measures are taken here to be able to work with electrostatically sensitive assemblies without damaging them.

Here you’ll find the most important information about the topic of ESD, EPA and electrostatic charge.

Choose the correct ESD shoes

In addition to the set-up of an extensive ESD protected area (EPA), wearing ESD shoes is an important requirement for preventing electrostatic charges and for protecting electronic assemblies and components by means of controlled dissipation.

The antistatic shoe requirements that safety shoes need to meet according to EN ISO 20345 are meant to protect the wearer from any risks posed by electrostatic charge. Antistatic shoes restrict the electrical resistance of a shoe, which is what differentiates them from insulating or conductive shoes.

To protect electronic assemblies against electrostatic phenomena, the DIN EN 61340-5-1 restricts this antistatic range even further. Shoes are classed as ESD shoes when the electrical resistance of the person-shoe-floor system is above 1 x 105 Ω or 0.1 M Ω and below 3.5 x 107 Ω or 35 M Ω. An ESD-capable shoe is thus also always an antistatic shoe.

You can find a product overview of antistatic shoes here:

To ESD Shoes

Warning: ESD shoes are not suitable for electricians/work on devices carrying electric voltage.

In addition to ESD shoes, an ESD workstation, ESD clothing and ESD check are also part of an extensive ESD-safe zone.

You can find an explanation of all of the most important terms concerning the topic of ESD/EPA here:

To ESD glossary