Trevor Herbert March 17, 2025

The Importance of ESD Lab Coats and Jackets in Electrostatic Protected Areas

Many professionals question the necessity of wearing an ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) lab coat or jacket when they are already grounded via a wrist strap. This misconception arises from the belief that a wrist strap alone can dissipate any static charge on the wearer, regardless of their clothing. However, clothing made from insulative synthetic fibres can generate significant static charges, which a wrist strap alone cannot neutralise. In this article, we explore the critical role of ESD lab coats and jackets in Electrostatic Protected Areas (EPAs) and why they are a valuable investment for any organisation handling sensitive electronic components.

Explore our collection today and ensure your workplace meets the highest ESD protection standards.

The Role of ESD Lab Coats and Jackets

Antistatic clothing is an essential requirement in industries such as electronics manufacturing, precision engineering, healthcare, and laboratory environments. Although ESD standards do not mandate the use of lab coats or jackets, they provide significant advantages, particularly in settings where electrostatic control is paramount.

Clothing material is a key factor in electrostatic safety. Synthetic fibres can generate high levels of static electricity, posing a serious risk to static-sensitive equipment. Insulative fabrics can retain charge and potentially damage electronic components when they come into contact with them. Furthermore, exposed sleeves and waist areas can generate several thousand volts, which could induce charges on nearby isolated conductors, increasing the risk of ESD-related failures.

ESD lab coats and jackets are specifically designed to mitigate these risks. By incorporating conductive fibres, they help to eliminate static charges and prevent the build-up of electrostatic energy from non-ESD garments. Their primary function is to shield insulative clothing, thereby minimising the electric fields produced by the wearer’s attire.

Key Properties of ESD Lab Coats and Jackets

High-quality ESD lab coats and jackets are manufactured using static-dissipative materials and should meet the following ESD control characteristics:

Antistatic (low-charging): Reduces the generation of electrostatic charges.
Dissipative: Allows charges to safely dissipate to ground when properly connected.
Shielding Effect: Creates a “Faraday Cage” effect, restricting electrostatic charges to the inside of the garment.
Groundable: Ensures reliable and efficient grounding via a wrist strap or ESD flooring.
Comfort and Practicality: Designed to be lightweight, breathable, and suitable for extended wear in professional environments.

Our ESD lab coats and jackets are manufactured using high-quality materials to ensure superior electrostatic protection and durability. With various fabric compositions they deliver optimal antistatic performance while maintaining wearer comfort. When selecting ESD garments, it is crucial to consider the fabric quality, manufacturing source, and adherence to ESD safety standards.

Testing ESD Lab Coats and Jackets

Ensuring the effectiveness of ESD garments involves rigorous testing. A critical aspect to verify is panel-to-panel conductivity, which prevents isolated charged conductors from forming within the garment. This can be tested using a Resistance Test Kit, which measures the resistance between different fabric panels using precision electrodes.

Additionally, a Static Field Meter can be employed to measure the triboelectric charges generated when the garment comes into contact with other materials. This ensures that the fabric remains low-charging and suitable for ESD-sensitive environments.

See our testers HERE

Proper Installation and Grounding of ESD Workwear

To ensure effective ESD protection, it is essential to wear and ground the lab coat or jacket correctly:

Wear the garment properly – Ensure all fastenings are secured to prevent exposed clothing underneath.
Maintain skin contact with conductive cuffs – The conductive cuff should be in direct contact with the skin and should not be pulled over shirt sleeves.
Grounding methods:
- Attach a coiled grounding cord to a designated snap on the waist area.
- Use a wrist strap connected to the inside cuff.
- If neither method is feasible, ensure proper grounding through ESD footwear and ESD-safe flooring.

Maintenance and Cleaning of ESD Lab Coats and Jackets

To preserve the effectiveness of ESD garments, proper laundering is essential:

In order to preserve the long life of ESD clothing, please use industrial laundries who can provide controlled, documented washing procedures and environment.
Washing in cold or not warmer than 40°C (104°F) lukewarm water with neutral liquid detergent.
DO NOT USE detergent or fabric softeners containing bleach or chlorine or any other form of alkalis or acids.
DO NOT dry clean.
Dry in the open or tumble dry at temperatures up to 50°C (122°F)
This clothing DOES NOT require ironing, but if necessary the maximum temperature is 110°C (230°F) or lower.

Garments may experience approximately 5% shrinkage over time, but this should not compromise their ESD properties. It is also essential that ESD lab coats and jackets remain unaltered; modifications can diminish their effectiveness by exposing non-ESD clothing.

Enhance Your Static Protection with Our Premium ESD Lab Coats and Jackets

At Grove Sales, we supply a wide range of high-quality ESD lab coats and jackets designed for optimal electrostatic control and comfort. Available in various sizes with a unisex design, our garments provide practicality and reliability in any professional setting.