How to build a portable ESD field service kit that works
A portable ESD field service kit brings compliant static protection on the road: a fold-up mat, ground cord, wrist strap and a tester all fit into a compact pouch. This guide covers which components you need, how to ground without a fixed bench and how to verify the kit before every job.
View ESD field service kitsWhat belongs in a field service kit?
A portable ESD field service kit is a miniature EPA (ESD Protected Area). It needs the same protective elements as a fixed bench under IEC 61340‑5‑1: a dissipative surface, a defined ground point, personnel grounding and a means of verification. The only difference is the mobile, foldable form factor.
The core is a fold-up mat built from several dissipative layers that packs down to postcard size. Add a ground cord with a built-in 1 MΩ resistor, a wrist strap with a coil cord, and a ground adapter for a mains socket or an alligator clamp for bare metal.
- Fold-up ESD mat with snaps for both mat and personnel grounding.
- Ground cord with a 1 MΩ safety resistor to the common point ground.
- Adjustable wrist strap with a coil cord.
- Ground adapter (earthed plug) or alligator clip onto bare metal.
- Wrist strap tester or combined tester for on-site checks.
- A rugged pouch or roll, itself made from dissipative material.
How do you ground without a fixed ground point?
On site you rarely find the familiar ground bar. The simplest compliant route is a ground adapter plugged into the earthed socket to tap the PE contact. From there a common point ground feeds both the mat and the wrist strap.
The key is the common point ground principle: person, mat and device all sit at the same potential, so no equalising current flows between the component and the technician. The 1 MΩ resistor in the personnel path limits current in case of accidental contact with live voltage.
How do you verify the kit before each job?
A wrist strap is a wear part: the coil cord can break internally with no visible damage. That is why best practice calls for a check before every job. A strap tester shows in seconds whether the dissipative path is within range.
- Fit the wrist strap with skin contact, never over clothing.
- Press the tester: green means in range, red means a cord or band fault.
- Periodically measure the mat resistance to the ground point (10⁶-10⁹ Ω).
- Inspect the ground cord and snaps for a firm fit and damage.
- Log the results for critical or documented jobs.
For lasting confidence, use a combined tester that checks both the personnel and the ground path. That confirms the full route from skin through the strap to building earth stays inside the required window of below 3.5 x 10⁷ Ω.
Frequently asked questions
Is a field service kit compliant with IEC 61340-5-1?
Yes, as long as it includes the core elements: a dissipative surface, a common point ground and personnel grounding. The standard does not require a fixed bench, only working grounding of all conductive and dissipative elements.
How do I ground without a ground bar?
The easiest way is a ground adapter in the earthed socket that taps the protective earth (PE). Alternatively, bare earthed metal on the equipment chassis with an alligator clip serves as the ground point.
Why test the wrist strap before every job?
The coil cord can break internally without visible damage. A faulty strap no longer dissipates charge. A strap tester confirms in seconds that the dissipative path is intact.
Can I use a heel strap instead of a wrist strap?
Heel straps only work on a dissipative floor. In the field the surface is usually insulating, so the wrist strap is the reliable personnel ground for on-site repairs.
Looking for a portable ESD field service kit?
We supply complete kits with a fold-up mat, ground set, wrist strap and tester - verified to IEC 61340-5-1.
Fully portable
Every protective element in one dissipative pouch.
Safely grounded
Ground set with 1 MΩ cord and adapter included.
Verifiable on site
Strap tester for a check before every job.
Standards tested
Components meet IEC 61340-5-1.