The research work presented in this thesis is aimed to analyze and optimize the triggering behavior of high voltage devices against electrostatic discharges (ESD). Two approaches were used : A dedicated tool was created. The "transient-TLP" tool is based on mathematical postprocessing of oscilloscope raw data, measured using a standard vf-TLP system. Measurement error is less than 2 %. This method, first designed for on-wafer measurement were then adapted to packaged device measurements. The transient behavior of ESD devices used at Freescale was analyzed using this tool. TCAD simulations were then performed to analyze the turning-on of high voltage ESD devices. The physical origins of the strong voltage overshoot peak observed at the trigg...