scope:

This part of IEC 61340 describes test methods for measuring therate of dissipation of static charge of insulating and staticdissipative materials and products. It includes a genericdescription of test methods and detailed test procedures forspecific applications. The two test methods for measuring chargedecay time, one using corona charging and one using a charged metalplate are different and may not give equivalent results.Nevertheless, each method has a range of applications for which itis best suited. The corona charging method is suitable forevaluating the ability of materials, e.g. textiles, packaging,etc., to dissipate charge from their own surfaces. The chargedmetal plate method is suitable for evaluating the ability ofmaterials and objects such as gloves, finger cots, hand tools, etc.to dissipate charge from conductive objects placed on or in contactwith them. The charged plate method may not be suitable forevaluating the ability of materials to dissipate charge from theirown surfaces. In addition to its general application, thishorizontal standard is also intended for use by technicalcommittees in the preparation of standards in accordance with theprinciples laid down in IEC Guide 108. One of the responsibilitiesof a technical committee is, wherever applicable, to make use ofhorizontal standards in the preparation of its publications. Thecontents of this horizontal standard shall not apply unlessspecifically referred to or included in the relevantpublications.