Originally published at: https://www.protoexpress.com/blog/how-to-design-effective-esd-protection-circuit-for-pcbs/
An ESD protection circuit safeguards sensitive PCB components from high voltage spikes caused by an electrostatic discharge event. ESD occurs when a charged object comes in contact with an electronic device, releasing a sudden surge of electricity. This surge can damage low-voltage components such as microprocessors, FPGAs, memory chips, and analog ICs. By implementing static discharge and TVS diodes, you can redirect harmful currents to the ground. Proper placement and selection of these diodes are crucial to mitigate risks and enhance the robustness of the PCB design. Highlights: ESD diodes and TVS diodes clamp voltage spikes and redirect them to…