Overview
IEC TR 61340-1:2012 - "Electrostatics – Part 1: Electrostatic phenomena – Principles and measurements" is a Technical Report from the IEC that describes the fundamental principles of electrostatic phenomena and gives general guidance on measurement methods. The consolidated Edition 1.1 (2012 + corrigenda and Amendment 1, 2020) serves as a reference for standards development and for end‑users seeking a practical understanding of charge generation, retention, dissipation and electrostatic discharges (ESD).
Key topics
The report covers core electrostatics concepts and measurement-related topics, including:
- Charge generation and contact electrification (triboelectric effects and charge transfer mechanisms)
- Charging by induction and conduction, and retention of charge on materials
- Influence of environmental humidity on charge and charge decay
- Electrostatic discharges: spark, corona, brush, propagating brush and cone discharges; associated energy and ignition potential
- Mechanical forces in electrostatic fields
- ESD failure modes and hazards for electronic components, ignition risks, and human perception
- Common ESD simulation models referenced (human body model, machine model, charged device model) and circuits for discharge simulation
- Measurement concepts: electric field, surface and space potential, surface charge density, charge decay, resistance/resistivity, capacitance and charge transferred in discharges
- General measurement arrangements and practical guidance rather than prescriptive test procedures
Note: IEC TR 61340-1 is a technical report (guidance), not a prescriptive test standard; it provides principles and measurement options rather than mandatory limits.
Applications
IEC TR 61340-1 is useful for organizations and professionals involved in:
- ESD control and prevention programs in electronics manufacturing and assembly
- Product designers and material suppliers selecting packaging, coatings and components with favorable electrostatic properties
- Test laboratories developing measurement methods for surface voltage, charge decay and discharge energy
- Safety and process engineers assessing ignition hazards in flammable atmospheres
- Standards developers and researchers using the document as a reference for developing or harmonizing ESD-related standards
Practical uses include guiding risk assessments, specifying measurement setups, training engineers on ESD phenomena, and informing mitigation strategies (grounding, ionization, humidity control, conductive materials).
Related standards
- Other parts of the IEC 61340 series (Electrostatics) expand on ESD control methods and product‑specific guidance.
- The report references common ESD simulation models (Human Body Model, Machine Model, Charged Device Model) used across industry ESD standards.
Keywords: IEC TR 61340-1:2012, electrostatics, electrostatic discharge, ESD, charge decay, surface voltage, measurement methods, triboelectric, ESD control.