Hakko's ESD Safe Policy and Products

Why Do Some HAKKO equipment show an ESD-Safe Logo — and Others Don’t?

You may have noticed that some HAKKO products display the "ESD-safe" logo, while others do not. What does this mean, and why the difference?

What Does "ESD-Safe" Mean?

Many Hakko soldering, rework, and desoldering stations are marked with the ESD-safe logo which helps customers easily identify an ESD-safe product. This indicates that the product meets Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) safety standards, specifically those outlined in the ANSI/ESD S20.20 standard.

This standard sets the technical and administrative requirements for creating and maintaining an ESD control program in electrostatic protected areas (EPAs). The ANSI/ESD S20.20 standard applies to a wide range of items used in electrostatic protected areas (EPA), including but not limited to workstation, floors, wrist straps and electrical soldering/desoldering hand tools. 

With this as a guide, a majority of our stations that are used mainly for production standards have followed the requirement to be ESD-safe or be housed in ESD-safe materials, and as such, have an "ESD-Safe" logo labelled clearly on its surface. This means that the equipment with an ESD-safe logo can be safely brought into production labs or similar environments requiring the same stringent ESD compliance. 

However, there are still some HAKKO equipment that are commonly used in production but do not carry the ESD-Safe logo. Why is that? 

Coverage of ANSI S20.20 Equipment

According to the ANSI S20.20, the items that falls within the EPA ESD Control Items are:

  • Worksurface
  • Wrist Strap
  • Wristband
  • Personnel Ground Wrist Strap Connection (non-monitored)
  • Continuous Monitors
  • Footwear
  • Foot Grounders
  • Flooring
  • Seating
  • Ionization
  • Shelving (when used to store unprotected ESDS items)
  • Mobile Equipment (Working Surfaces)
  • Electrical Soldering/Desoldering Hand Tools
  • Static Control Garment
  • Groundable Static Control Garment
  • Groundable Static Control Garment System

Following this list of items, out of all the HAKKO items in the market, only soldering and desoldering hand tools are required to follow the ANSI S20.20 standard. Items such as measuring instruments like the thermometer/soldering tester are not included as regulated items. 

HAKKO HU-200 Autosoldering Station -  Is it ESD-Safe? 

The HAKKO HU-200 main unit is not designed to be ESD-safe. Although the station is made of metal, if the jig used for securing PWBs is not grounded or made of ESD-safe material, there is a possibility that the jig itself could become charged with static electricity. 

HAKKO FG-101B Soldering Tester - Is it ESD-Safe? 

Soldering testers and thermometers are not regulated items under the ANSI S20.20, hence they are not made to be ESD-safe. 

Having said that, as the casing for the HAKKO FG-101B is made of metal, it can be considered ESD-safe as long as the unit is properly grounded. It is important to note that the conduction plate (that measures potential difference) and the AS5000 sensor floats above the membrane sheet, which could result in static accumulation. Despite that, when a soldering tip (connected to an ESD-safe station) touches the plate/sensor, the accumulated static electricity is discharged from the handpiece through to the ground. Therefore, the HAKKO FG-101B can be safely used in an EPA. 

HAKKO FX-600 / FX-601 Soldering Iron - Is it ESD-Safe? 

Soldering irons like the HAKKO FX-600/601 are less commonly used in production and uses an insulating resin material for its grip. So long as the iron is properly grounded, any static buildup will be discharged from the soldering iron to the ground when the tip touches the workpiece - preventing any impact on the work. 

HAKKO FX-780 / FX-781 Nitrogen Generator - Is it ESD-safe? 

Nitrogen generators are not required items under the ANSI S20.20 standard, hence they are not ESD-safe.

HAKKO Iron Holders - Is it ESD-Safe? 

Soldering, rework or desoldering station that are labelled ESD-safe comes with its own dedicated model of iron holders that are also ESD-safe. These irons holders can be safely used in EPAs. 

In the same way, even if an iron fits into another similar iron holder, if its main station is not already ESD-safe, the iron holder would not be ESD-safe as well. Please do not use them in EPAs. 

Looking for ESD-Safe Items for Production? 

If you are looking for ESD-safe HAKKO units for your production, keep a look out for the ESD-safe logo, usually found on the main surface or display of the station.

Unsure whether an equipment is ESD-safe? Reach out to our friendly sales team at sales@hakko.com.sg for assistance!

 

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