Application of wide band pulse test system in the measurement of transient electromagnetic field generated by electrostatic discharge (ESD)

The rise time of electrostatic discharge (ESD) is very short (about I nanosecond) and the duration of the discharge is only several nanoseconds. The peak of the electromagnetic field is very large and the band of the frequency is very wide, so the commercially used antennas and equipment cannot be used to measure such transient field. A wide band pulse test system was introduced in the measurement of transient electromagnetic field generated by ESD. Many tests were carried out by charged real human body discharging to the ground. The results show that the peak-to-peak electric field radiated in the near field is very high. The band of the field is extremely wide. It clearly shows that the ESD is one of the most common harmful electromagnetic sources in the environment.