ESD & Dielectric Insulating Mat Testing

Professional Testing of ESD Control Mats and Electrical Insulating Rubber Matting

Creative IT provides professional testing and evaluation services for ESD control mats, ESD flooring and electrical insulating rubber matting used in electronics, electrical, industrial, manufacturing, laboratory and technical environments.

From our facility in Burbank, California, we serve businesses throughout Los Angeles, Los Angeles County and Southern California, as well as customers nationwide across the United States.

Our testing services support organizations working with applicable standards and requirements including ANSI/ESD S20.20, IEC 61340-5-1, ASTM D178 and applicable U.S. electrical safety requirements.

ESD Mats vs. Electrical Insulating Mats

It is important to distinguish between ESD control mats and electrical insulating rubber matting. Although both are used in electrical and technical environments, they perform different safety functions.

ESD Control Mats

ESD mats are designed to help control and dissipate electrostatic charges that could damage sensitive electronic components and equipment.

They are commonly used in:

• Electronics manufacturing
• Electronic repair facilities
• Semiconductor facilities
• Research laboratories
• Aerospace facilities
• Medical device manufacturing
• Telecommunications facilities
• Data centers
• Electronic assembly areas
• ESD Protected Areas (EPAs)

Electrical Insulating Rubber Matting

Electrical insulating rubber matting is designed to provide supplementary electrical protection for personnel working around energized electrical equipment.

Electrical insulating matting is commonly installed around:

• Electrical switchgear
• Electrical panels
• Switchboards
• Electrical substations
• Power distribution equipment
• Industrial machinery
• Electrical control rooms
• Generator installations
• Data center electrical rooms
• High-voltage equipment

ESD Mat Testing – ANSI/ESD S20.20

Creative IT provides ESD testing and analysis for mats and other ESD control surfaces used to protect electrostatic-sensitive devices.

ANSI/ESD S20.20 establishes requirements for developing and maintaining an electrostatic discharge control program for protecting electrical and electronic parts, assemblies and equipment susceptible to ESD damage.

Testing helps determine whether ESD control mats and surfaces provide an appropriate electrical path for controlling electrostatic charge.

IEC 61340-5-1 ESD Testing

IEC 61340-5-1 is widely used for the protection of electronic devices from electrostatic phenomena.

Testing ESD control surfaces can help organizations verify the electrical performance of mats, flooring, work surfaces and grounding systems used within an ESD Protected Area (EPA).

Creative IT can perform electrical measurements to help determine whether ESD control materials continue to perform as intended.

Our ESD Mat Testing Services

Depending on the application and customer requirements, testing may include:

• Surface resistance testing
• Point-to-point resistance testing
• Resistance-to-ground testing
• Grounding verification
• Electrical resistance measurements
• Static-dissipative surface evaluation
• Conductive surface evaluation
• ESD mat inspection
• Ground connection inspection
• Environmental condition documentation
• Evaluation against applicable ESD control requirements

Why ESD Mat Testing Is Important

Electrostatic discharge can damage sensitive electronic components without producing a spark or shock noticeable to the person handling the equipment.

Static electricity can accumulate on personnel, work surfaces, flooring, tools, equipment, packaging materials, furniture and workstations.

An effective ESD control program provides controlled paths for electrostatic charges to dissipate.

Testing can help identify conditions such as:

• Excessive electrical resistance
• Insufficient electrical resistance
• Damaged ESD surfaces
• Poor or broken grounding connections
• Surface contamination
• Worn ESD mats
• Deteriorated surfaces
• Incorrect grounding
• Changes in electrical performance over time

ASTM D178 Electrical Insulating Mat Testing

For applications involving protection against electrical hazards, Creative IT provides testing and evaluation of electrical insulating rubber matting.

In the United States, ASTM D178 – Standard Specification for Rubber Insulating Matting covers rubber insulating matting used as a floor covering for the electrical protection of workers.

ASTM D178 addresses electrical, physical and material requirements for rubber insulating matting.

Electrical insulating matting should not be confused with ordinary ESD matting.

An ESD mat is designed primarily to control static electricity, while ASTM D178 rubber insulating matting is designed to provide electrical insulation for personnel working around electrical hazards.

ASTM D178 Electrical Insulating Mat Classes

ASTM D178 electrical insulating rubber matting is classified according to its electrical characteristics.

Classes include:

• Class 0
• Class 1
• Class 2
• Class 3
• Class 4

The appropriate class must be selected according to the electrical hazard, voltage exposure, applicable requirements, manufacturer specifications and the employer's electrical safety program.

Dielectric Testing of Electrical Insulating Mats

Creative IT can evaluate electrical insulating matting using appropriate electrical test equipment and procedures based on the type of mat and customer testing requirements.

Testing and evaluation may include:

• High-voltage dielectric testing
• Electrical resistance measurements
• Visual inspection
• Surface condition inspection
• Thickness measurements
• Inspection for physical damage
• Inspection for cuts and punctures
• Evaluation of material deterioration
• Identification and classification review
• Documentation of test results

Inspection of Used Electrical Insulating Matting

Electrical insulating matting can deteriorate through normal service and environmental exposure.

Regular inspection is important for identifying physical conditions that could affect safety or electrical performance.

Matting should be examined for conditions including:

• Cuts
• Punctures
• Cracking
• Excessive wear
• Surface deterioration
• Oil contamination
• Chemical contamination
• Heat damage
• Loss of flexibility
• Mechanical damage
• Embedded foreign material
• Physical deformation

Matting showing questionable physical or electrical characteristics should be evaluated before continued use.

Industries We Serve

Creative IT provides ESD and electrical insulating mat testing services for organizations including:

• Electronics manufacturers
• Electrical contractors
• Electricians
• Semiconductor companies
• Utility and power companies
• Aerospace and defense companies
• Medical device manufacturers
• Industrial facilities
• Manufacturing plants
• Data centers
• Telecommunications companies
• Research laboratories
• Hospitals and healthcare facilities
• Schools and universities
• Government facilities
• Solar and renewable energy companies
• EV charging infrastructure companies
• Facilities management departments

ESD Protected Area Testing

Organizations operating an ESD Protected Area (EPA) need to ensure that the components of their ESD control program continue to operate effectively.

Testing of ESD mats, work surfaces and grounding arrangements can help identify potential problems before they contribute to ESD-related product damage.

Creative IT can assist organizations with testing of ESD control surfaces as part of their ESD control, quality assurance and maintenance programs.

Testing and Documentation

Accurate documentation can be an important component of an ESD control, quality assurance or electrical safety program.

Depending on the testing service performed, documentation may include:

• Customer identification
• Mat or equipment identification
• Description of testing performed
• Measured electrical values
• Test equipment used
• Environmental conditions where applicable
• Applicable test criteria
• Test results
• Date of testing

ESD & Electrical Insulating Mat Testing in Los Angeles

Creative IT provides professional ESD and electrical insulating mat testing from our Burbank, California facility.

Our local service area includes:

• Burbank
• Los Angeles
• Glendale
• Pasadena
• North Hollywood
• Hollywood
• San Fernando Valley
• Los Angeles County
• Southern California

Businesses in the Los Angeles area can contact Creative IT regarding individual mats, multiple mats, ESD workstations and recurring testing requirements.

Nationwide ESD & Insulating Mat Testing

Creative IT also provides testing services for customers throughout the United States.

Portable ESD mats and suitable electrical insulating matting can be shipped to our Burbank, California testing facility for evaluation.

This gives companies outside Southern California access to professional ESD and electrical insulating mat testing without maintaining specialized testing equipment internally.

Organizations with multiple locations, larger quantities of mats or recurring testing requirements can contact us to discuss their testing program.

Contact Creative IT for ESD & Dielectric Mat Testing

For ESD mat testing, ANSI/ESD S20.20 testing, IEC 61340-5-1 testing, ASTM D178 electrical insulating mat testing, dielectric mat testing and electrical resistance testing, contact Creative IT.

Creative IT
547 North Catalina Street
Burbank, CA 91505
United States

Phone: (213) 986-4855
Email: info@creativeitusa.com
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Local Service: Burbank, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County and Southern California
Nationwide Service: Testing services available to customers throughout the United States.

Contact Creative IT today to discuss your ESD control mat or electrical insulating rubber mat testing requirements.