Knowing Your ESD Gloves
Knowing Your ESD Gloves
Standard nitrile or latex gloves provide no static protection and in some cases actively generate charge through triboelectric contact — making them a liability, not a safeguard, in ESD-sensitive assembly. ESD gloves are designed to dissipate static charge at a controlled rate, with surface resistance between 1 × 10⁵ and 1 × 10¹¹ ohms per ANSI/ESD S20.20, providing a safe path to ground without creating a shock hazard. The four main types — carbon fiber knit, conductive fiber, ESD-coated nitrile, and finger cots — each suit different combinations of dexterity, chemical exposure, and cleanroom requirements. ESD gloves work as part of a complete grounding system alongside wrist straps, grounded mats, and footwear — not as a standalone solution. For a complete guide to cleanroom and ESD glove selection, see our Cleanroom Gloves Resource Hub and the broader ESD Program Essentials hub.
ESD Glove Types at a Glance
| Glove Type | Construction | Best For | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Fiber Knit | Carbon fiber woven into fabric; conductive matrix across entire surface | PCB handling, component assembly, inspection; reusable | Most consistent surface resistance; verify resistance after washing |
| Conductive Fiber | Copper, silver, or blended conductive yarns knit into glove | Precision assembly and inspection requiring fine motor control | Balance of conductivity, durability, and tactile sensitivity |
| ESD-Coated Nitrile/Polyurethane | Standard glove base with static-dissipative coating applied to surface | Processes requiring both chemical resistance and static control | Verify coating durability over service life; coating can degrade with chemical exposure |
| Finger Cots | Individual fingertip covers; ESD-dissipative material | Component handling, rework, inspection where full glove coverage isn’t needed | Maximum tactile sensitivity; not a substitute for full gloves in high-risk processes |
| Cleanroom + ESD Dual-Rated | Low-NVR, low-particle-shedding construction with ESD-safe surface resistance | ISO 5–7 environments where both particle control and static dissipation are required | Look for cleanroom-packaged, lot-traceable options (HandPRO, Transforming Technologies) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What surface resistance range is required for ANSI/ESD S20.20-compliant hand protection?
ANSI/ESD S20.20 defines the acceptable resistance range for hand protection as 1 × 10⁵ to 1 × 10¹¹ ohms. Gloves below this range are too conductive and can create shock hazards; gloves above it are too resistive to provide meaningful ESD protection. Standard nitrile gloves typically measure above 10¹² ohms — well outside the acceptable range — and should never be used as ESD protection in an EPA.
Do I still need a wrist strap if I’m wearing ESD gloves?
Yes. ESD gloves protect the product from charge transferred through direct hand contact. Wrist straps protect the product from body charge accumulated through movement — which can discharge through any conductive path, including tools, fixtures, or the work surface. Both are required for full protection in most ESD-sensitive assembly environments. Gloves alone do not provide a continuous, verified ground path for the operator’s body.
Can I use ESD gloves in a cleanroom, or do I need separate cleanroom gloves?
Standard ESD knit gloves are not cleanroom-rated — they shed fibers that violate ISO particle count limits. For environments that require both ESD protection and ISO classification compliance, use dual-rated gloves specifically designed for cleanroom use: low-NVR, low-particle-shedding construction with ESD-safe surface resistance, cleanroom-packaged and lot-traceable. See our Exam Gloves vs. Cleanroom Gloves guide for a full breakdown.
How do I know when an ESD glove needs to be replaced?
Test surface resistance periodically with a resistance meter — especially for carbon fiber knit gloves after washing, and for ESD-coated gloves after chemical exposure. Replace when resistance measures outside the 10⁵–10¹¹ Ω range, when the glove shows visible damage (holes, worn coating, broken fibers), or at the interval specified in your ESD program documentation. Never assume a glove is still ESD-safe based on appearance alone — coating degradation and fiber damage are not always visible.
Not sure which ESD glove is right for your process? Contact our team with your ISO class, task type, and any chemical exposure requirements and we’ll recommend the right SKU.
