ESD Matting

ESD Matting in your workplace

What is ESD Matting and how can it benefit your workplace?

ESD mats, also known as anti-static mats, are the perfect way to protect against electrostatic damage. This happens when static electricity builds up and releases into sensitive components, which can damage or break them.

ESD floor mats prevent this by dissipating the charge and providing a grounded surface. This allows the mat to discharge static to protect your electronics continuously.

When should you use anti-static ESD matting?

Any environment that works with static electricity should consider anti-static matting to prevent damage to electronic components. This matting is essential when working on microchips, hard drives, tablets and more. ESD can melt or vaporise tiny parts within the electronics, which causes them to fail. This can result in faulty parts being sold to a customer.

Everyday situations, like walking across a carpet or touching handles, can generate static and damage components. When you step on an anti-static floor mat, this static is grounded. Which means it will not pass onto the electronics.

ESD Matting to create an EPA (electrostatic protected area).

An EPA stands for electrostatic protected area. This is a designated static-safe zone where sensitive electronics are handled. These areas require specific protection measures to keep everyone safe. Here are the key features of creating an EPA

• Use a suitable location, somewhere that remains clean and dry, and avoid carpets
• Choose your ESD Matting
• Install an ESD Workbench
• Use wrist straps as further grounding equipment
• Only allow trained personnel into the area
• Using ESD-safe clothing or ESD Chairs if necessary
• Make it obvious that the EPA is a controlled area, using tape or markings

Different types of ESD Mats

Our anti-static mats are available in different options to suit different requirements.

Our Cobastat anti-static mats allow you to protect your area perfectly. It has a pebbled texture to increase grip as well as tough and durable qualities. This mat is flame-resistant to keep your workplace safe. Tested to EN14041 requirements.

The Coba switch mat is perfect for switchboards and high-voltage equipment, to protect operators from shock. They are also slip-resistant and conform to BS 921/1976.

Cobaswitch electrical insulation matting provides safety for operators. They are ideal for switchboards and high-voltage equipment. Also conforming to BS EN 61111:2009.

Compliance with standards and regulations.

ESD safety matting typically conforms to different regulations. This shows it has been tested to meet certain safety requirements. This gives you peace of mind that the mats you are buying will protect you and your equipment. These requirements are:

• EN14041 is a standard that focuses on electrostatic properties in flooring. This ensures the flooring helps to dissipate electrostatic charges safely.
• BS 921/1976 is a British standard regarding the requirements for static control in the workplace. It is focused on how to control static charges to avoid their harmful effects on equipment.
• BS EN 61111:2009 is a British and European standard that specifies requirements for ESD matting. It applies to insulating mats used by electrical workers to prevent electric shocks. The mats prevent this by adding a non-conductive surface.

How to set up your ESD matting

When building your workplace, it must be electrostatic discharge safe. However, it's more than just placing the mat on the floor, there are other important factors to consider.

Clear and check the area - clean the surfaces and ensure there is a grounding point nearby.

Install the mat - ensure the mat is flat without wrinkles and cut it down if needed.

Ground the mat - use an ESD grounding cord to ground the matting. Use a resistance tester, if possible, to confirm the system works properly.

Maintain your matting - regularly clean the matting and inspect for signs of wear.

There are specific ESD floor cleaners which are designed to maintain the matting without damaging it. They aim to remove dirt, dust, oils and other contaminants without compromising the electrostatic dissipative properties.

Contact our sales team for any questions, free quotes or for queries on larger order quantities!