Which type of failure is associated with electrostatic discharge?

The type of failure associated with electrostatic discharge (ESD) is best described as a transient failure. Transient failures occur when an electronic component experiences a temporary disruption in its operation due to a brief application of energy, such as a surge caused by an electrostatic discharge.

In the context of avionics, ESD can cause immediate and sometimes temporary degradation in performance without necessarily causing permanent damage. This is because the effects of ESD might result in malfunctioned signals or corrupted data while the component is under stress, but once the stress is removed, the component might return to operational status.

Understanding ESD and its implications on electronic components is vital in avionics, as transient failures can affect the reliability and safety of avionics systems. Through protective measures, such as grounding and proper handling procedures, the risk of transient failures from ESD can be mitigated.