ESD Curtains and Partitions: How to Choose and Ground Them
ESD curtains and partitions mark off an EPA and shield sensitive electronics from charge, dust and drafts. This guide explains which materials and surface resistances IEC 61340-5-1 requires and how to bond each element into the common ground point through a 1 MΩ resistor.
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What are ESD curtains and partitions for?
ESD curtains and partitions separate an EPA (ESD Protected Area) visibly from the rest of the shop floor and create a controlled zone for handling electrostatic-sensitive devices. They keep out dust, drafts and foot traffic while dissipating static charge in a controlled way to ground.
Unlike a plain privacy screen, dissipative material is what matters: an insulating standard curtain would charge itself and become a charge source right next to the EPA. Dissipative strip curtains and panels instead carry the charge safely away.
- Delimit and mark the EPA in line with IEC 61340‑5‑1.
- Protect against dust, splashes and air movement at sensitive stations.
- Dissipative strip curtains for passages and machines with frequent material flow.
- Rigid partitions and panels for permanent zone separation.
Which material and resistance are required?
Curtains are usually made from dissipative PVC film 0.3 to 0.4 mm thick, partitions from dissipative plastic sheets or frame-mounted panels. Surface resistance is decisive: dissipative material sits, per IEC 61340‑5‑1, typically between 10⁵ and 10¹¹ Ω.
Transparent, lightly tinted film keeps sightlines and lighting intact. For welding or soldering areas there are also flame-retardant and UV-filtering versions.
How are curtains and partitions grounded?
For a dissipative element to work, it must be galvanically connected to the common ground point (EBP) of the EPA. Strip curtains connect through a conductive hanging rail or a grounding eyelet, partitions through the conductive frame structure.
- Connect every dissipative element to at least one grounding point.
- Run the ground through a lead with a 1 MΩ protective resistor to the common EBP.
- Make the hanging rail and frame dissipative and properly contacted.
- Star all grounds onto the same reference point as mat and wrist strap.
- Measure and record the contact resistance after installation.
What matters during installation and care?
During installation an unbroken conductive chain from the curtain to earth is what counts. Strips are overlapped without gaps, rails contacted cleanly, and passages sized wide enough that carts and people do not permanently bend the strips.
Replace yellowed, brittle or torn strips, since they conduct worse and reduce visibility. A documented test log keeps the values traceable during an audit.
Frequently asked questions
Does an ESD curtain always have to be grounded?
Yes. A dissipative curtain only works when it is bonded through a conductive rail or eyelet and a 1 MΩ lead to the common ground point of the EPA. Without grounding it can charge itself.
What resistance must the material have?
Dissipative curtains and partitions sit, per IEC 61340‑5‑1, typically between 10⁵ and 10¹¹ Ω surface resistance, so the charge flows off in a controlled way rather than abruptly.
Is a normal PVC strip curtain enough?
No. Standard PVC is insulating and charges up. Only dissipative films with conductivity built permanently into the material are suitable for an EPA.
How often should I test the dissipative properties?
Measure surface and ground resistance periodically with a meter and record the values. Also check after any rebuild and after visible abrasion.
Looking for ESD curtains or partitions?
We supply dissipative strip curtains, panels and partitions including a grounding kit - verified to IEC 61340-5-1.
Standard-tested
Materials meet IEC 61340-5-1.
Cleanly grounded
Grounding kit with 1 MΩ and conductive rail.
Measurably safe
Surface and ground resistance documentable.
Expert advice
ESD specialists plan your EPA boundary.