Choosing ESD shoes and footwear: what matters?
ESD shoes reliably ground a walking person - but only on a dissipative floor. What counts is the person-shoe-floor system resistance of < 3,5×107 Ω. The shoe alone drains nothing; it is one part of the system.
View ESD shoesWhy does an ESD shoe only work on a dissipative floor?
An ESD shoe drains charge from the person through the sole into the floor. That path only exists if the floor is dissipative and grounded. So it is not the shoe alone that is measured, but the person-shoe-floor system resistance, which must be < 3,5×107 Ω.
Which standards and limits apply to ESD shoes?
ESD footwear is tested for resistance to IEC 61340‑4‑3; the system verification follows IEC 61340‑5‑1. If toe or midsole protection is also required, ESD is combined with a safety shoe to EN ISO 20345:
| Requirement | Limit / feature | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Shoe resistance | tested, dissipative | IEC 61340-4-3 |
| Person-shoe-floor system | < 3,5×107 Ω | IEC 61340-5-1 |
| Safety shoe + ESD | toe protection, dissipative | EN ISO 20345 |
ESD shoe, safety shoe or heel strap?
The ESD shoe is the permanent solution, the heel strap the add-on for existing footwear. Both must match the floor and be tested daily:
ESD to IEC 61340-4-3 plus toe protection to EN ISO 20345 for workshop and production.
ViewThe shoe only works as a system - see the choice of dissipative flooring and the comparison of wrist strap and heel strap.
Frequently asked questions
Is an ESD shoe enough without a dissipative floor?
No. The shoe needs a dissipative, grounded floor as the drain path. On an insulating floor it does not ground the person - the person-shoe-floor system < 3,5×107 Ω is always what is tested.
Is an antistatic safety shoe (marking A) an ESD shoe?
Not necessarily. The "A" marking to EN ISO 20345 (105‑109 Ω) is wider. For the EPA you need footwear verified to IEC 61340‑4‑3.
How often must I test ESD shoes?
Daily before entering the EPA in the footwear tester, usually both feet. The periodic test plan applies on top. Moisture, dirt and wear change the resistance.
The right ESD footwear for your EPA
ESD shoes, safety shoes and heel straps - tested to IEC 61340-4-3 and EN ISO 20345.
Standard-compliant
Footwear to IEC 61340-4-3 / EN ISO 20345.
Reviewed
Content reviewed by ESD specialists.
Full range
Shoes, safety shoes and heel straps.
Expert advice
Personal advice on footwear.