Charge distribution and discharge current analysis with charged connector pins

Electronic components and electromechanics can get static charges during handling and discharge on a printed circuit board when assembled. This study focuses on charged connector metal pins with less than 2 pF source capacitance. A charge distribution, rise time, and shape of the discharge current waveform is studied by using co-simulations between frequency domain finite element method and SPICE time domain circuits. Results show that the current rise time can be less than 10 ps and mainly depends on the inductance of the discharge path when the initial charging voltage is constant. The frequency response of the 3D object defines the shape of the discharge current waveform together with the series inductance and resistance of the discharge path. (paper)