Choosing an ESD chair: what matters?
An ESD chair keeps the seated person at EPA potential: dissipative castors, seat and back upholstery drain charge through a defined resistance to the dissipative floor. It works only together with the floor - and ergonomics still matter.
View ESD chairsHow does an ESD chair work?
An ESD chair keeps the seated person at the EPA potential. Charge is drained from the seat and back upholstery through conductive connections and dissipative castors to the dissipative floor - through a defined resistance in the dissipative range, not through a short to ground.
Which requirements must an ESD chair meet?
All contact surfaces must be dissipative and conductively bonded to one another, and the resistance to the floor lies in the dissipative range. The core standard IEC 61340‑5‑1 sets out the requirements for seating as part of the EPA equipment:
| Requirement | Meaning | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Dissipative surfaces | seat, back and armrests drain charge | dissipative |
| Continuously bonded | all parts conductive to the castors | conductively bonded |
| Resistance to floor | draining via the castors | 105-109 Ω |
| Test standard | core ESD protection standard | IEC 61340-5-1 |
Which parts make up an ESD chair?
An ESD chair differs from an ordinary office chair through dissipative materials and a continuous conductive chain from the seat to the castors:
Seat carrier and base connect upholstery and castors in a continuous conductive path.
ViewThe chair is part of the seated workplace - see Setting up an ESD workstation and the choice of ESD flooring.
Frequently asked questions
When do I need an ESD chair?
At seated workplaces inside the EPA where ESD-sensitive parts are handled. When the person sits, the chair - alongside the floor and personnel grounding - is the path that keeps them at EPA potential.
Does an ESD chair replace the wrist strap?
No. The chair drains the seated person's charge via the floor but complements the rest of the personnel grounding rather than replacing it. For handling, the tested personnel grounding remains decisive.
Does an ESD chair work on a normal floor?
Only to a limited extent. The castors drain charge to the floor - only a dissipative floor closes the path to ground. On an insulating floor the draining stays ineffective.
The right ESD chair for your workplace
Dissipative chairs with ESD castors and upholstery - compliant with IEC 61340-5-1.
Standard-compliant
Chairs to IEC 61340-5-1.
Reviewed
Content reviewed by ESD specialists.
Full range
Chairs, castors and ESD furniture.
Expert advice
Personal advice on ESD chairs.