Equivalent Circuits in Standards

In search of a suitable simulation model for a given ESD event, people often end up with the equivalent circuit included with the corresponding standard. Since these circuits are only provided to illustrate and better understand the operation of the corresponding ESD test equipment, they are generally not suitable to simulate the given ESD event conforming to the standard.

The suitability of an equivalent circuit as an ESD simulation model conforming to the corresponding standard can easily be verified by applying the qualification procedure of the ESD test equipment described in that standard to corresponding simulations with that equivalent circuit. If the simulated waveforms meet the specifications of the standard, the equivalent circuit is suitable as a simulation model. However, if the simulated waveforms do not meet the specifications of the standard, the equivalent circuit is not suitable as a simulation model.