IEC 61340-4-10-2012 PDF

Full title and description

Electrostatics - Part 4-10: Standard test methods for specific applications - Two-point resistance measurement. This international standard defines a laboratory method and associated apparatus for measuring the electrical resistance between two points on the surface of an item (two-point surface resistance) to support electrostatic discharge (ESD) control and qualification activities.

Abstract

IEC 61340-4-10:2012 specifies equipment, sample preparation, verification procedures and a measured test procedure for two-point resistance measurement on items with irregular or small surfaces. It is intended to characterize surface resistance over the typical ESD-relevant range used in ESD control and materials evaluation. The standard text was prepared using existing ANSI/ESD practice as a technical basis.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (publication withdrawn after its stability date; national catalogues and distributors list it as withdrawn).
• Publication date: November 2012 (IEC edition 1.0, published November 2012).
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 17.220.99 (Electrostatics and related), 29.020 (Electrical engineering in general).
• Edition / version: Edition 1.0 (2012).
• Number of pages: Sources vary by distributor: IEC lists 21 pages, some national distributors list 14 pages and a few resellers list other page counts (e.g., 26 pages). Users should refer to the IEC master record for the official page count for the IEC publication.

Scope

This part of IEC 61340 provides a standardized two-point surface resistance test method for items with irregular or small test areas. It covers required probe and fixture geometry, instrumentation, sample support, sample preparation, verification of measurement apparatus, the step-by-step test procedure and the format for reporting results. The method is intended for use in quality control, materials characterization and ESD programme verification.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and description of the two-point probe and recommended probe materials and spacing.
• Specification of sample support surface and handling to ensure repeatable contact and compression for spring-loaded probes.
• Instrumentation requirements for resistance measurement across the intended measurement range and associated test leads and connections.
• Verification procedure using known verification resistors/fixtures before test runs to ensure instrument accuracy.
• Sample preparation instructions to control surface contamination, humidity and handling effects.
• Step-by-step test procedure, data recording and reporting requirements (including interpretation of measured resistance values for ESD control purposes).
• Normative and informative references, including cross-reference to ANSI/ESD STM11.13 as a technical basis for the method.

Typical use and users

Used by ESD control engineers, product and materials test laboratories, quality assurance teams and manufacturers of ESD-protective materials and packaging to characterize surface resistance of materials, small parts or non-flat items and to verify compliance with company or industry ESD control requirements. It is often employed alongside ESD programme standards that define acceptable resistance ranges for work surfaces, footwear and packaging.

Related standards

Part of the IEC 61340 electrostatics series (other parts address general requirements, ESD protection programmes, packaging, test methods and related topics). Normative and informative references include ANSI/ESD STM11.13 (two-point resistance measurement) and related IEC 61340 parts such as IEC 61340-5-1 (protection of electronic devices from electrostatic phenomena). Users should consult the broader IEC 61340 series for program-level requirements and other measurement methods.

Keywords

electrostatics; two-point resistance; surface resistance; ESD test method; probe; verification resistor; measurement procedure; IEC 61340; ANSI/ESD STM11.13.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 61340-4-10:2012 is an international standard that specifies a standardized two-point surface resistance test method for items and materials used in ESD-sensitive environments.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers probe and fixture design, instrumentation, sample preparation, verification checks, the test procedure itself and result reporting for measuring resistance between two surface points on an item (two-point resistance).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: ESD control personnel, test laboratories, manufacturers of ESD materials and QA teams who need a repeatable method to measure surface resistance on small or irregular items.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The publication record shows IEC 61340-4-10:2012 as published in November 2012 and later withdrawn from the IEC catalogue/stability cycle; national and distributor records list it as withdrawn. Users should check the IEC master catalogue or their national standards body for the current status and any replacement or revised methods.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes—this is Part 4-10 of the IEC 61340 series on electrostatics; other parts of the series address ESD programme requirements, packaging, protection of devices and additional test methods. The two-point method is aligned with or based on ANSI/ESD STM11.13 practices.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Two-point resistance, surface resistance, electrostatics, ESD test method, probe verification, IEC 61340.