Electronics > Beginners
Recommendation for ESD mat supplier on AliExpress?
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Rooster Cogburn:
I recently decided to upgrade the soldering mat I've been using for a while to an ESD safe mat with a ground clamp. Most of the usual European stores have very high prices and sell in quantities / sizes that are not very practical for me. I found a 50x40cm mat on AliExpress, exactly the right size for my workspace. Once I got it I quickly found out that the advertised 380C temperature resistance is a lie and the material actually melts at <200C, making it unsuitable for any soldering or hot air rework. Seller did not respond to my dispute etc., let's hope I get my money back from AliExpress.

Not sure where to buy a replacement, though. Like so often, it seems many sellers are selling the exact same product, probably nobody bothered to check that the 380C temperature resistance is actually true. Can anybody recommend a seller on AliExpress, eBay, Banggood etc. where I can get a small-ish ESD mat that's actually heat resistant without spending a fortune? Bonus points if you have the equipment to verify that the ESD-safe part actually works as well :)
b_force:
I never get the whole fuzz about ESD mats, unless you're doing big or expensive production.

ESD is just static energy. So if you touch your desk frame or something else before you start soldering, that will be just fine.
And still, if you just ground yourself, there is not really a need for an ESD mat.
The snobs will tell otherwise I am sure (heated debate coming up)
pylo:

--- Quote from: b_force on May 20, 2018, 09:08:18 pm ---I never get the whole fuzz about ESD mats, unless you're doing big or expensive production.

ESD is just static energy. So if you touch your desk frame or something else before you start soldering, that will be just fine.
And still, if you just ground yourself, there is not really a need for an ESD mat.
The snobs will tell otherwise I am sure (heated debate coming up)

--- End quote ---

And what if both you and your circuit are currently charged up with static energy? Then touching your desk-frame will be exactly what creates the problem, because then you and your board won't be at the same potential anymore. Next time you touch the circuit, boom.

The key to ESD control is not that you are discharged, but that everything is at the same potential. This is where the ESD mat comes into play. If your circuit lays on it, and you are also connected to it, then it is guaranteed that both you and the circuit are approximately at the same potential, hence no problems.
b_force:

--- Quote from: pylo on May 20, 2018, 09:18:32 pm ---
--- Quote from: b_force on May 20, 2018, 09:08:18 pm ---I never get the whole fuzz about ESD mats, unless you're doing big or expensive production.

ESD is just static energy. So if you touch your desk frame or something else before you start soldering, that will be just fine.
And still, if you just ground yourself, there is not really a need for an ESD mat.
The snobs will tell otherwise I am sure (heated debate coming up)

--- End quote ---

And what if both you and your circuit are currently charged up with static energy? Then touching your desk-frame will be exactly what creates the problem, because then you and your board won't be at the same potential anymore. Next time you touch the circuit, boom.

The key to ESD control is not that you are discharged, but that everything is at the same potential. This is where the ESD mat comes into play. If your circuit lays on it, and you are also connected to it, then it is guaranteed that both you and the circuit are approximately at the same potential, hence no problems.

--- End quote ---
Yes, what if?
I always ask some basic high school question to think about WHEN objects are getting charged.
That's only when they build up energy by friction etc
And BOOM never happens, maybe a quick snap,

Like I said before, I totally agree with your arguments if you have a production line with high sensitive components.
For home-hobbyist work? No, no so much at all.
In all the many years I have been working with (mostly) SMD parts, ucontrollers, DSPs and all that kind of stuff, these problems happened exactly ZERO times.
At work it went wrong a few times with our interns.
When? Well cold weather (= dry air) and wearing a woolen sweater is asking for trouble.

Sorry in my opinion it's heavily overrated. 
Rooster Cogburn:
If you want to discuss the merits of ESD mats, please start your own thread, I just want to know where to cheaply buy a heat resistant one :)
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