21 Electrostatic Grounding Terms
1. Ground
The earth or conductive material whose electrical potential at any point is conventionally taken to be zero.
2. Grounding
An electrical connection to an object that can provide or receive a large charge (such as the ground, the metal hull of a ship, or a vehicle).
3. (Electrostatic) Grounding
An electrical connection between a metal conductor and the earth (via a grounding electrode) to bring the metal conductor's potential close to that of the earth.
4. Grounding
a. Direct connection to the earth or to the earth through a low-impedance connection.
b. Connection to the earth through a wire or other conductor with very little or almost zero resistance (impedance).
5. Soft Grounding
A grounding method that uses sufficient impedance to limit current flow to a level that is safe for human use (usually 5 mA). The impedance required for a soft grounding depends on the voltage level that people near the grounding point might be exposed to.
6. Direct Grounding
A type of grounding method that electrically connects a metal object to the earth.
7. Indirect Grounding
A method of grounding non-metallic objects by placing their entire or partial surface in close contact with a grounded metal object to achieve static grounding.
8. Electrostatic Discharge Grounding Device
A common device to which all connected devices within the electrostatic discharge protection work area are grounded.
9. Ground Reference Plane
A flat conductive surface whose potential is used as a common reference potential.
10. Electrostatic Grounding Connection System
An external path for the charge on a charged object to leak and dissipate to the ground.
11. Human Body Grounding
A measure that maintains electrical contact between the human body and the ground by using conductive mats, conductive floors, conductive shoes, or other grounding devices.
12. Grounding Electrode
A conductor or combination of conductors buried in the ground to ensure good contact with the ground.
13. Voltage to Ground
The potential difference between a charged object and the ground (assuming the ground potential is zero).
14. (Electrostatic) Connection
This is a method of connecting objects that lack a good conductive path to each other so that they are at roughly the same potential.