
TB-3091.E Page 1 of 7 © 2022 DESCO INDUSTRIES INC
Employee Owned
2A Dunhams Lane, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 1BE, United Kingdom • 01462 672005 • Website: DescoEurope.com
Dual Operator Continuous Monitor
Installation, Operation and Maintenance
Description
The Desco Dual Operator Continuous Monitor is a
workstation continuous monitor. It continuously monitors
the path-to-ground integrity of two operators and one
ESD worksurface. Mounting tabs make it suitable to
install in workbench or equipment settings, and the
Visual Status Display can be placed to increase alarm
visibility.
The Dual Operator Continuous Monitor is designed
with Wave Distortion Technology to provide stable
continuous monitoring of the path-to-ground and
presence of 1 megohm resistance of an operator’s wrist
strap. Audio and visual alarms activate (in less than
500 milliseconds) when the operator unintentionally
disconnects from the monitor, or the wrist strap
connection points are intermittent. The Dual Operator
Continuous Monitor also monitors for a worksurface
path-to-ground of less than 10 megohms and the
integrity of the electrical ground used to by the monitor
All Dual Operator Continuous Monitors are calibrated to
NIST standards and include a certificate.
March 2022
Wave Distortion Technology is the Most Reliable
Technology for the Continuous Monitoring of
Single-Wire (Conductor) Wrist Straps
“Wave Distortion” or vector impedance works by
applying a continuous test voltage of 1.2 volts
peak-to-peak at 1 to 2 microamperes (0.000002
amperes) to the wrist strap that is connected to the
continuous or constant monitor. The test voltage creates
a square wave that the monitor circuit compares to
established patterns. By monitoring the “distortions”, or
shape of the square wave, Wave Distortion Technology
determines if the monitored circuit is complete - the
operator is in the circuit and the total equivalent DC
resistance is within specifications. Wave Distortion
Technology produces a very fast alarm time and
minimal false alarms.
ANSI/ESD S20.20 section 7.3 states “Compliance
verification records shall be established and maintained
to provide evidence of conformity to the technical
requirements.” Per ANSI/ESD S1.1 Annex A.3 Daily
(wrist strap system) testing may be omitted if constant
monitoring used.” Per ESD Handbook ESD TR 20.20
section 5.3.2.4.4 “Typical Test programs recommend
that wrist straps that are used daily should be tested
daily. However, if the products that are being produced
are of such value that knowledge of a continuous,
reliable ground is needed, and then continuous
monitoring should be considered or even required.”
The Dual Operator Continuous Monitor and its
accessories are available as the following item numbers:
Item Description
19656 Dual Operator Continuous Monitor,
with Universal Power Adapter
98221 Wave Distortion Monitor Verification Tester
19658 Power Adapter, 100-240 VAC Input, 9 VDC 3
A Output, IEC C14 Inlet
200220 Power Cord, Europe
200225 Power Cord, UK
Made in the
United States of America
TECHNICAL BULLETIN TB-3091.E
Figure 1. Desco Dual Operator Continuous Monitor