In ESD control, the resistor should be located at or near the point of contact with the benchtop.

In ESD control, the resistor should be located at or near the point of contact with the benchtop.

• A. Near power supply
• B. Top of bench
• C. Bottom of bench
• D. Away from contact

Answer: (B)

The main idea is to control any static discharge by placing the current-limiting resistor in the path where contact with the work surface occurs, so the discharge is attenuated as it leaves the handler and flows to ground. Putting the resistor at or near the point of contact with the benchtop ensures the energy of an ESD event is limited right where you touch, protecting both you and the components you're handling. With the resistor in this location, the current that could surge into a device or through your body is constrained by the resistance before it can reach sensitive electronics or other grounding paths. If the resistor were placed elsewhere, the discharge path might bypass the intended current limit or involve other surfaces, reducing protection. The top of the bench is the practical spot because that’s exactly where you interact with the workspace and where the ESD mat and grounding setup are referenced to ground.

The main idea is to control any static discharge by placing the current-limiting resistor in the path where contact with the work surface occurs, so the discharge is attenuated as it leaves the handler and flows to ground. Putting the resistor at or near the point of contact with the benchtop ensures the energy of an ESD event is limited right where you touch, protecting both you and the components you're handling. With the resistor in this location, the current that could surge into a device or through your body is constrained by the resistance before it can reach sensitive electronics or other grounding paths. If the resistor were placed elsewhere, the discharge path might bypass the intended current limit or involve other surfaces, reducing protection. The top of the bench is the practical spot because that’s exactly where you interact with the workspace and where the ESD mat and grounding setup are referenced to ground.