What is the minimum voltage that can cause damage to an electrostatic sensitive device (ESD)?

What is the minimum voltage that can cause damage to an electrostatic sensitive device (ESD)?

• A. 25 Volts
• B. 50 Volts
• C. 12 Volts
• D. 100 Volts

Answer: (A)

Electrostatic discharge can inject enough energy into a sensitive device in a very short moment to cause damage, even at relatively low voltages. The internal structures of modern electronics—thin oxide layers, small junctions, and tightly packed transistors—are vulnerable to damage from the swift, high-current spike of an ESD event. Because the energy delivered during a discharge depends on the voltage, the discharge capacitance, and the pulse rise time, some ESD-sensitive parts can be damaged by tens of volts or less. Among the given voltages, 25 volts represents the smallest level that can cause damage to many ESD-sensitive devices in practice, so it is the minimum threshold among the options. Higher voltages certainly pose a risk as well, but the question asks for the smallest voltage that can cause damage. This is why ESD control measures emphasize protecting every sensitive device from even modest static charges.

Electrostatic discharge can inject enough energy into a sensitive device in a very short moment to cause damage, even at relatively low voltages. The internal structures of modern electronics—thin oxide layers, small junctions, and tightly packed transistors—are vulnerable to damage from the swift, high-current spike of an ESD event. Because the energy delivered during a discharge depends on the voltage, the discharge capacitance, and the pulse rise time, some ESD-sensitive parts can be damaged by tens of volts or less.

Among the given voltages, 25 volts represents the smallest level that can cause damage to many ESD-sensitive devices in practice, so it is the minimum threshold among the options. Higher voltages certainly pose a risk as well, but the question asks for the smallest voltage that can cause damage. This is why ESD control measures emphasize protecting every sensitive device from even modest static charges.