The response of exploding bridgewire detonators with two different(pin-pin and pin-shell)discharge types to high voltage electrostatic discharge(ESD) was studied using a high voltage ESD test system at the circuit parameters of 250 kV, 1000 pF, 1 Ω. Results show that melting, fracture or explosion(without ignition)of bridgewire detonators can be observed when ESD was applied to pin-pin discharge. The 50% broken voltage of bridge wire is 56.33 kV. The typical response of detonators to ESD is electrode plug breaking away from shell when ESD applied to pin-shell. The response characteristic of detonator to high voltage ESD is found to be ralated with the ESD energy distribution, the structure and the ignition mechanism of detonator.