Česky (CZK)Walking test: verifying the person–footwear–floor system
A walking test is a dynamic test that records a person's electrical potential while walking on a particular floor in particular footwear. It shows how the person–footwear–floor system performs during real movement, not only during a static resistance measurement.
What does a walking test show?
As the sole repeatedly contacts and separates from the floor, triboelectric charge can be generated. A walking test records the body-voltage profile during a defined movement. This helps determine whether the specific floor, footwear and operating conditions control charge generation as required by the ESD control programme.
A walking test does not replace other checks
Resistance measurement describes the electrical path and system properties under defined conditions. An entry personnel tester verifies footwear or a wrist strap at one moment. A walking test adds dynamic information about voltage generated during movement. The methods complement each other because they answer different questions.
When is the test useful?
- when qualifying a new ESD floor or a new floor–footwear combination;
- after changing footwear, sole material, cleaning chemistry, floor coating or maintenance;
- when investigating unstable personnel-grounding results or unexplained ESD events;
- during periodic verification required by the internal control plan;
- when comparing real working conditions in different areas of a facility.
Basic principles for a reliable test
- Define the person, footwear, floor and environmental combination under test.
- Use a suitable body-voltage recording system and verify its condition.
- Specify a consistent movement sequence, route, duration and evaluation method.
- Test at the point of use and record footwear type, floor condition, temperature and relative humidity.
- Compare the result with the criterion defined for the specific ESD programme and test method.
What can influence the result?
Walking style, speed and step length, sole material and wear, socks and insoles, contamination, floor treatment, humidity and the test location can all make a difference. Conditions must therefore be recorded and the method repeatable. One favourable trace from a clean part of the floor may not represent the whole facility.
How to use the result
A failed profile is a reason to investigate the complete combination: footwear, floor, maintenance, climate and actual movement. Corrective action should be selected only after the cause has been identified, followed by a repeat test.
For in-house checks, see walking test systems. For floor qualification or independent testing under real operating conditions, Stat-X provides on-site measurement. Related methods are summarized under ESD measurement and verification.
