Measurement of the magnetic field radiating by electrostatic discharges using commercial ESD generators

The aim of this work is the investigation of the transient magnetic field radiating by two different commercial generators of electrostatic discharges. Measurements of the magnetic field generated by contact electrostatic discharges have been conducted a few centimeters away from the discharge point. In this paper the current transducer, which is used for the measurement of the discharge current is not mounted on a grounded metal plate, but instead it is on an insulating material. With this aberration to the Standard a closer simulation to the magnetic field produced by the electrostatic discharge generators on the equipment under test is obtained. It is proved by the measurements that each generator produces a different transient magnetic field, which results in a different way on the equipment that is tested. Also, comparisons of the magnetic field between the two generators and useful conclusions for the decrease of the magnetic field are presented.