[sdiy] Static Damage to ICs

[Peter Grenader]

Short answer: yes

Long answer:  The nickel plated static protective bags aren't cheap but are
the ONLY way to go to truly create a metal cage and shield from external
ESD.

The pink poly stuff used in IC tubes and bags is not as costly, but isn't a
cure...it only lessens the possibilities of static discharge damaging its
contents.  It's impregnated not with nickel, but with soap (I am serious).

A good solution would be to just put the legs of the part in black
conductive foam. Cheaper than nickel bags and allows the rest of the
contents to be packaged with recyclable materials.  As long at the charge to
all legs of the device are normalized, the risk of static discharge blowing
somethng inside are much less.






> I understand the dangers of ESD for individual components and unprotected
> circuit boards. However, one thing has always puzzled me. Most of the new
> electronic keyboards that I have seen, come wrapped in
> -very-high-static-cling-
> plastic bags! Aren't the internal components of the product in danger of ESD
> from the very-high-static retail packaging?
> 
> Shouldn't commercial electronic products be shipped in anti-static bags, just
> like bare electronic components are?
> 
> Later,
> Glen