ESD control garments can be identified by three specific types:

1. A static control garment may or may not suppress electrostatic fields stemming from undergarments whether or not a path to ground exists. One runs the risk of charge build-up from the garment components (conductive grid, static dissipative fabric) if there is no path to ground.

2. A groundable static control garment should provide better electrostatic field suppression with a low resistance fabric connected to a groundable point.

3. A groundable static control garment system represents a system which provides a bond with the wearer’s skin to ground. This assists in suppressing undergarment charging. A groundable static control garment can be utilized with a continuous or constant monitoring system within the ESD Protected Area (EPA).

This cleanroom tip was taken from “Static Control Garment Verification to Ensure Supplier Conformance,” which appeared in the March 2012 issue of Controlled Environments.