Model GAM-5A
ESD Workstation Monitor/Tester

Continuously monitors the static discharge paths
from operator and work surface to earth ground.

Features:

• Monitors any conventional wrist strap and coil cord
• Monitors any ESD work surface
• Tests ESD footwear
• ON-OFF switch in Operator banana jack
• Detects intermittent coil cords
• Computer Output signal
• Eliminates daily testing and costly test equipment
• Simplifies ESD audits
• Clean Room compatible

The Model GAM-5A is the newest generation version of the most reliable ESD Workstation Continuous Wrist Strap and Work Surface Monitor and footwear tester available today.  It continuously monitors any conventional single conductor wrist strap and coil cord, any anti-static work surface and the static discharge path to earth ground via the equipment grounding conductor in the branch circuit (the green or green/yellow wire).

This assures that a static buildup is discharged to ground rather than merely to a small capacitance.  The GAM-5A provides audible and visual warning, plus location of a grounding fault the instant it occurs.

The GAM-5A is sensitive enough to monitor a 5th percentile female, essentially a 5' tall, 90lb. woman, as well as a 95th percentile male, a 6' 5" tall, 250lb. man.  No adjustments are required.

The GAM-5A has three banana jacks, two pairs of red and green LEDs, a test button, green test LED and an audible alarm.  The right banana jack is for the coil cord, the center jack is for the worksurface and the left jack is a common point ground.  The first pair of LEDs indicates a worksurface grounding status.  The second pair indicates grounding status of the operator via the wrist strap, coil cord and the green wire (or auxiliary ground bus). The test button is for testing ESD footwear, floors, worksurfaces, chairs, smocks and tools.  The monitor can be conveniently mounted on the workstation.

The GAM-5A automatically self-tests when plugged into an AC outlet.  If the outlet's polarity is incorrect or the static discharge path to earth ground via the equipment grounding conductor (the green wire) in the branch circuit is compromised, both red LEDs turn on and the alarm sounds.  The instant a fault occurs, the alarm sounds, the appropriate green LED turns off and the red LED turns on, alerting the operator before ESD-susceptible components may be damaged.

A person can take the coil cord along or snap it on the Standby Stand^tm (SBS) when leaving the workstation.  In either case, first touching the SBS initiates a three second audio delay to permit the coil cord to be withdrawn or attached to the SBS without sounding an alarm.  If the coil cord is accidentally withdrawn from the monitor the alarm sounds.