How can ESD affect avionic devices? (Select all that apply)

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) can significantly impact avionic devices in several ways. One of the primary effects is the degradation of performance. ESD can induce transient voltages that disrupt the normal operation of electronic circuits, leading to erratic behavior or reduced functionality. This degradation can manifest as slower processing speeds, increased error rates, or unresponsive systems, which are critical in avionic applications where reliability is paramount.

Additionally, ESD can cause changes in the electrical characteristics of the devices. When an ESD event occurs, it can modify the inherent parameters such as resistance, capacitance, and inductance within the circuitry. These changes can affect how the avionic systems interact with each other and how they perform under various conditions, potentially compromising the reliability and safety of the avionics systems.

While some levels of ESD can lead to complete device failure, it is not a universal outcome for all incidences of ESD. Therefore, although it can cause performance issues and changes in electrical characteristics, not all ESD incidents result in total failure. Furthermore, ESD is not associated with prolonging battery life; rather, it poses risks to the functionality and operability of electronic devices.