
An ESD strap (Electrostatic Discharge strap) is a device worn on the wrist or ankle to prevent static charge buildup on the body from suddenly discharging into sensitive electronics. The human body behaves like a small capacitor that can accumulate thousands of volts through triboelectric charging (for example, walking across a carpet). If this stored charge suddenly discharges into a microchip, it can destroy the delicate circuits, which often operate at just a few volts. An ESD strap prevents this by connecting the body to ground through a wire that includes a resistor (typically 1 MΩ). The resistor provides a safe, resistive path for charges to leak away gradually rather than discharging in a damaging spark. This process is governed by Ohm’s Law, ensuring that the current remains low while reducing the potential difference between the body and ground to nearly zero.
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