Accredited calibration · ESD simulators

ESD gun calibration to IEC 61000-4-2 and ISO 10605, in your lab

Contact discharge current waveform, air and contact discharge voltage and ESD target insertion loss measured on site under LAB Support Ltd.'s A2LA accredited ISO/IEC 17025 scope, by the LAB Support Southeast Asia team, with the certificate issued before we leave.

Why it matters

Four waveform parameters decide whether a discharge is valid

IEC 61000-4-2 defines the contact discharge by its first peak current, rise time and the currents at 30 ns and 60 ns, each with a tolerance. A simulator outside those limits gives results that a second laboratory will not reproduce. Automotive ISO 10605 adds its own networks and levels. The measurement needs a calibrated ESD target, a fast oscilloscope and the geometry of the standard, which the team brings to your bench.

  • Contact discharge current waveform at each test level, 1 kV to 30 kV
  • Air and contact discharge voltage indication with a high-voltage meter
  • ESD target insertion loss, 9 kHz to 6 GHz, and target adapter checks
  • ISO 10605 networks (150 pF / 330 Ω, 330 pF / 2 kΩ) and IEC networks (150 pF / 330 Ω)
ParameterRangeCommon methods and standards
Contact discharge current, peak and at 30 ns and 60 ns1 kV to 30 kV, 0.07 A to 148 AIEC/EN 61000-4-2, ISO 10605, oscilloscope with IEC ESD target
Rise time of the discharge current1 kV to 30 kVIEC/EN 61000-4-2, ISO 10605
Contact discharge voltage indication1 kV to 30 kVHigh-voltage meter
Air discharge voltage indication1 kV to 30 kVHigh-voltage meter
ESD target insertion loss9 kHz to 6 GHzIEC 61000-4-2 Annex B, network analyser

The methods and standards shown are the ones most commonly requested. Within each parameter and range listed on the accredited scope, other calibration methods and standard editions can be supported under the flexible-scope provisions of LAB Support's A2LA accreditation. The measurement uncertainty for each parameter is stated on the certificate. Field calibration is included in the scope for every line above.

Instruments we calibrate

ESD simulators and targets we calibrate most often

From our own calibration records. Any simulator within the scope can be calibrated; these are the ones we see most.

Teseq NSG 437, NSG 438, NSG 438ASchaffner NSG 435, NSG 438EM TEST dito, esd NX30EM TEST DM1 to DM6 discharge modulesNoiseKen ESS-2002EX, ESS-B3011EMC Partner ESD3000 Thermo MiniZap MZ-15/ECHaefely ONYX, PESDTeseq MD 103, INA 103 targetsEM TEST CTR 2, CTR 2-AD targetsEMC Partner ESD-Target2and others
On site

How an ESD calibration runs

Send the listSimulator model, discharge network fitted, the test levels you use and whether ISO 10605 applies.
We come to youThe team brings a calibrated ESD target, a high-bandwidth oscilloscope, a high-voltage meter and the vertical ground plane fixture the standard specifies.
Measure in placeDischarges are captured at each level and polarity. Voltage indication is checked against the meter. The target itself is verified for insertion loss.
Certificate on siteISO/IEC 17025 certificate with the waveform parameters against the IEC tolerances, uncertainty and traceability.
Frequently asked

ESD calibration questions

Which edition of IEC 61000-4-2 do you calibrate to?

Both the 2008 edition and the 2025 edition are in the scope, along with ISO 10605 editions 2001, 2008 and 2023. Tell us which your test procedure references and the certificate states it.

Do you calibrate the ESD target as well?

Yes. The target's insertion loss from 9 kHz to 6 GHz is measured with a network analyser, which is what makes the current waveform measurement traceable. Target adapters and attenuators are checked in the same visit.

What if my simulator is out of tolerance?

The certificate reports the measured values against the IEC limits. Most simulators can be adjusted by the manufacturer's service centre. We supply and support EM TEST and Teseq simulators, so a repair or a replacement can be arranged through ICX Lab.

How long does it take?

About two hours per simulator with one discharge network, including voltage checks at both polarities. Additional networks or automotive levels add roughly an hour each.

Tell us what you need to test

We reply within one working day with a quote or a plan.

Contact us