Electronic discharge systems MCQs With Answer provides B.Pharm students a concise, practical review of electrostatic discharge (ESD) control, electronic discharge systems, grounding, ionization, and ESD-safe materials in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The introduction covers mechanisms of charge generation (triboelectric and flow electrification), measurement tools (electrostatic voltmeter, charge plate monitor, Faraday cup), and mitigation strategies such as earthing, ionizers, humidity control, dissipative flooring, and ESD-safe packaging. Emphasis is on protecting APIs, analytical instruments, and cleanroom integrity while following standards like IEC 61340 and ANSI/ESD S20.20. Keywords: electronic discharge systems, ESD control, grounding, ionizers, pharmaceutical safety, contamination prevention. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. What is the primary mechanism responsible for generating static charge during handling and processing of solid pharmaceutical powders?
- Electrochemical corrosion
- Triboelectric charging
- Photoelectric effect
- Thermoelectric generation
Correct Answer: Triboelectric charging
Q2. Which instrument directly measures surface potential of a material without contact?
- Faraday cup
- Electrostatic voltmeter
- Charge plate monitor
- Ion counter
Correct Answer: Electrostatic voltmeter
Q3. What is the main purpose of an ionizer in a pharmaceutical cleanroom?
- Increase airborne particle concentration
- Neutralize surface charges by producing ions
- Measure humidity and temperature
- Sterilize equipment surfaces
Correct Answer: Neutralize surface charges by producing ions
Q4. Which material surface resistivity range is typically classified as dissipative?
- Less than 10^5 ohms/square
- Between 10^5 and 10^12 ohms/square
- Greater than 10^12 ohms/square
- Exactly 10^6 ohms/square
Correct Answer: Between 10^5 and 10^12 ohms/square
Q5. Which standard is internationally recognized for ESD control programs that can apply to pharmaceutical electronic equipment protection?
- ISO 9001
- IEC 61340-5-1
- USP General Chapter 797
- GMP Annex 1
Correct Answer: IEC 61340-5-1
Q6. What is a primary risk of uncontrolled electrostatic discharge in operations involving flammable solvent vapors?
- Reduced tablet hardness
- Ignition and fire or explosion
- Loss of drug potency by oxidation
- Increased dissolution rate
Correct Answer: Ignition and fire or explosion
Q7. Which device is typically used to evaluate the neutralization efficiency of an ionizer?
- Faraday cup
- Electrostatic voltmeter
- Charge plate monitor
- Oscilloscope
Correct Answer: Charge plate monitor
Q8. Which property of ambient air most strongly affects electrostatic charge generation and decay?
- Oxygen concentration
- Humidity
- Noise level
- CO2 concentration
Correct Answer: Humidity
Q9. A wrist strap used for personnel grounding typically includes a built-in resistor. What is the common resistor value used to limit current?
- 10 ohms
- 1 megaohm
- 1 kiloohm
- 100 megaohm
Correct Answer: 1 megaohm
Q10. Which packaging is most appropriate to protect sensitive electronic controls used in pharmaceutical equipment from ESD?
- Plain polyethylene bag
- Static shielding bag (metallized)
- Paper envelope
- Foam bubble wrap without metal film
Correct Answer: Static shielding bag (metallized)
Q11. How does increasing relative humidity generally influence electrostatic charge on surfaces?
- Increases charge generation and prolongs decay
- Has no effect on static charge
- Reduces charge generation and speeds decay
- Converts charges into chemical contaminants
Correct Answer: Reduces charge generation and speeds decay
Q12. Which of the following is a direct consequence of triboelectric charging during tablet coating or powder transfer?
- Improved chemical stability
- Particle adhesion to surfaces and segregation
- Increased microbial contamination
- Enhanced solubility of APIs
Correct Answer: Particle adhesion to surfaces and segregation
Q13. What measurement principle does a Faraday cup use to quantify charge?
- Optical scattering
- Electromagnetic induction
- Collection of charged particles and electrometer reading
- Acoustic resonance
Correct Answer: Collection of charged particles and electrometer reading
Q14. For ESD control, why are conductive flooring or dissipative mats preferred in production areas?
- They generate additional ions
- They prevent grounding of personnel
- They provide a controlled path to ground for charges
- They sterilize footprints to reduce contamination
Correct Answer: They provide a controlled path to ground for charges
Q15. Which term describes the time required for a charged surface potential to decay to a fraction (commonly 10%) of its initial value?
- Surface resistivity
- Charge density
- Charge decay time
- Breakdown voltage
Correct Answer: Charge decay time
Q16. Which personnel practice helps reduce ESD incidents when operating near sensitive instruments?
- Wearing insulated shoes to avoid grounding
- Connecting wrist strap to verified ground
- Wearing high-permittivity clothing
- Carrying metal tools in pockets
Correct Answer: Connecting wrist strap to verified ground
Q17. What is the role of dissipative packaging for pharmaceutical components or devices?
- Provide maximal insulation to trap charge
- Allow slow discharge to reduce sparking
- Absorb moisture from the environment
- Act as a barrier against microbial ingress
Correct Answer: Allow slow discharge to reduce sparking
Q18. Which phenomenon describes the charging that occurs when a liquid flows through pipes and causes electrostatic potential?
- Triboelectric charging
- Flow electrification
- Photoionization
- Galvanic isolation
Correct Answer: Flow electrification
Q19. Which test is commonly performed daily or shift-wise to ensure personnel grounding devices are functioning?
- Surface resistivity mapping
- Wrist strap or footwear continuity test
- Aerosol particle count
- Sound level meter check
Correct Answer: Wrist strap or footwear continuity test
Q20. Which cleaning approach is recommended for minimizing static on polymeric surfaces in manufacturing areas?
- Dry sweeping with cloth
- Using antistatic cleaning agents and controlled wiping
- Using compressed air to blow dust off frequently
- Applying insulating wax coatings
Correct Answer: Using antistatic cleaning agents and controlled wiping
Q21. What is the effect of a floating conductive object in a production area with no grounding?
- It will always remain at earth potential
- It can accumulate charge and discharge unpredictably
- It neutralizes charges on other objects automatically
- It prevents triboelectric charging nearby
Correct Answer: It can accumulate charge and discharge unpredictably
Q22. Which monitoring tool provides continuous verification of personnel grounding in critical zones?
- Static dissipative tape
- Continuous wrist strap monitor
- Electrostatic voltmeter spot check
- Manual ohm-meter measurement once per week
Correct Answer: Continuous wrist strap monitor
Q23. Which material choice reduces static generation when manufacturing sachets or film-based packaging?
- Pure polyethylene with no additives
- Antistatic-treated or dissipative film
- High-density insulating polyvinyl chloride
- Uncoated paper with high porosity
Correct Answer: Antistatic-treated or dissipative film
Q24. In validating an ionizer for a filling line, which parameter is most important to document?
- Ionizer brand name only
- Neutralization time and offset voltage
- Weight of the ionizer
- Ambient noise produced
Correct Answer: Neutralization time and offset voltage
Q25. Why are static shielding bags often metallized rather than purely polymeric?
- Metallization provides color coding
- Metallization creates a conductive barrier to shield electrostatic fields
- Pure polymers are heavier and costly
- Metallization improves biodegradability
Correct Answer: Metallization creates a conductive barrier to shield electrostatic fields
Q26. Which laboratory practice can reduce ESD sensitivity during analytical instrument maintenance?
- Working with instruments powered and unplugged
- Removing grounding connections for convenience
- Using ESD-safe tools and grounding technician to earth
- Wearing latex gloves without grounding
Correct Answer: Using ESD-safe tools and grounding technician to earth
Q27. What is the significance of surface resistivity mapping in a pharmaceutical production area?
- Identifies microbial hot spots
- Confirms areas provide controlled dissipation to ground
- Measures humidity gradients only
- Replaces the need for personnel grounding
Correct Answer: Confirms areas provide controlled dissipation to ground
Q28. Which action best reduces static-induced particle attraction during aseptic filling?
- Lowering humidity below 10%
- Using ionization and maintaining appropriate humidity
- Wearing polyester garments to increase charge
- Increasing fan speeds to maximum without control
Correct Answer: Using ionization and maintaining appropriate humidity
Q29. Which phenomenon can static discharge most directly damage in electronic analytical detectors?
- Mechanical seals only
- Sensors and semiconductor components
- Sterility of samples
- Color of instrument housing
Correct Answer: Sensors and semiconductor components
Q30. Which control is most appropriate when transferring powders by pneumatic conveyance to limit electrostatic hazards?
- Using nonconductive hoses exclusively
- Ensuring equipment is bonded and grounded and controlling flow rates
- Reducing humidity to under 5%
- Allowing uncontrolled venting to ambient
Correct Answer: Ensuring equipment is bonded and grounded and controlling flow rates
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
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