ESD Wrist-Straps and Cords

Grounding Solutions

Adequate grounding protects sensitive areas from the damage caused by ESD. Our wrist straps and cords are designed to maximise operator performance and safety by using high-quality materials and build quality.

Static grounding requirements for operations with large working environments will often require the establishment of ESD protected areas. EPAs are sections of the workspace that are partitioned off from the rest of the facility and specially marked to notify employees and visitors of the potential for electrostatic events.

Importance Of Wrist Straps

Wrist straps are critical elements of any ESD Control Environment, as the human body is one of the most significant generators of static charge. The wrist strap is the most used device to ground personnel, and it will safely and effectively drain static charges from the body. Wrist straps are designed to safely ground personnel that are handling ESD Sensitive Devices and should be used when personnel are seated, as per IEC 61340-5-1.

Sometimes known as antistatic wrist straps or ground bracelets, they consist of two elements, a wrist band and ground cord, which can be purchased separately.

Bondline have a range of antistatic wrist straps and ESD cords to suit a variety of requirements and preferences. From coil cords and grounding leads to premium wrist straps and disposable wrist straps. Click on each of the categories above to view the products available.

ESD Cords

ESD cords are the first line of defence against potential ESD damage. We have a range of ESD cords that provide a solid connection to the ground and are suitable for use with most antistatic wrist straps.

Bespoke Coil Cords

Our coil cords can include either a 4mm, 7mm or 10mm stud. They can be customised with specific colours to allow you to select a preferable and suitable colour for your workspace or the company’s branding colours. Please contact Bondline if you would like to enquire about our bespoke coil cords.

ESD Wrist Straps

Wrist straps are the most commonly used device for the means of personnel grounding. They are critical components of any ESD Control Plan.

Anti Static Wrist Strap

Sometimes an ESD workbench is not enough to prevent an ESD event. Therefore, numerous accessories such as ESD wrist straps have been developed to help prevent ESD events. Wrist straps are the first line of defence against ESD, the most common personnel grounding device used, and must be used if the operator is sitting. Wrist straps help to disperse static electricity generated from a person. They are an ESD safety device designed to ground people who work with static-sensitive electronic devices and components.

ESD wrist straps are the most effective method of bonding an operator to the ground when mobility is not an issue. They are designed to be worn in close contact with the skin to establish a grounding path to Earth. It discharges the static being generated on the body through the cord to the bonding point and into the ground instantly. An ESD strap must be worn while sitting, even when E.S.D footwear is being used.

How To Use ESD Wrist Strap

ESD-safe wrist straps come in a variety of materials, but the general concept for each is the same; to provide a path to ground.

For an ESD control wrist strap to work, it is either connected to Earth bonding points fitted into workstations, typically via 10mm press studs, or come with a removable coiled cord and crocodile clip for mobile applications. The strap is fastened around your wrist using an adjustable band. The wristband should be worn snug to the skin with its coil cord connected to a common point. An anti-static strap must be connected to a grounding source like a bonding plug in conjunction with a ground lead for them to be effective.

Once an ESD-safe wrist strap has been secured to the wrist and connected to the Earth bonding point or sensitive piece of equipment, you are safe to work without fear of ESD occurring. This allows you and your workforce to freely go about your daily tasks and drastically reduces the chances of static electricity building up.

Adjusting Anti-Static Fabric Wrist-Straps

To adjust the fabric wrist-strap, follow these simple steps:

• Open the clasp by pulling upward on the “tail” of material that extends out from the pin.
• Tighten or loosen the elastic material through the clasp until the wristband fits snug but comfortably around your wrist.
• We recommend that you close the clasp and wear the band with the excess tail extended for a day to ensure the adjustment is snug, comfortable, and has the proper electrical contact with the skin before cutting.
• Test the wrist strap system to be sure of proper electrical resistance and skin contact.
• When you are ready to cut off excess material, mark with a pencil where extra material is to be trimmed.
• Remove the band from the wrist. Open clasp. Cut off-strip excess material about 1/4″ short of pencil mark so that the cap conceals the end of the material. This will eliminate the possibility of frayed ends.
• Close clasp and use as a fixed elastic wristband.

Adjusting anti-static metal wrist-straps

To adjust the metal wrist-strap, follow these simple steps:

• Insert the link end of the wristband into the slotted opening on the cap. Insert it at a downward angle to allow the links to slide inside the channel in the backplate.
• Change the size of the band by sliding the links in or out of the stainless steel backplate. For an extra small size, you can cut off excess ties with cutters.
• Lock the links into place by pulling down on the band, seating the band securely over the lip on the edge of the backplate.
• Test the wrist strap system to be sure of proper electrical resistance and skin contact.

Contact Us

To enquire about our antistatic wrist bands or cords, please contact our expert sales team and they will help guide you with additional information. Email us at sales@bondline.co.uk or call us on 01793 511000.