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Teledyne API M701H High Performance Zero Air Generator A Primer on Electro-Static Discharge
06712B (DCN5875) 8-5
Always store sensitive components and assemblies in anti-ESD storage bags or bins: Even
when you are not working on them, store all devices and assemblies in a closed anti-Static bag or
bin. This will prevent induced charges from building up on the device or assembly and nearby
static fields from discharging through it.
Use metallic anti-ESD bags for storing and shipping ESD sensitive components and
assemblies rather than pink-poly bags. The famous, “pink-poly” bags are made of a plastic that
is impregnated with a liquid (similar to liquid laundry detergent) which very slowly sweats onto
the surface of the plastic creating a slightly conductive layer over the surface of the bag.
While this layer may equalizes any charges that occur across the whole bag, it does not prevent
the build up of static charges. If laying on a conductive, grounded surface, these bags will allow
charges to bleed away but the very charges that build up on the surface of the bag itself can be
transferred through the bag by induction onto the circuits of your ESD sensitive device. Also,
the liquid impregnating the plastic is eventually used up after which the bag is as useless for
preventing damage from ESD as any ordinary plastic bag.
Anti-Static bags made of plastic impregnated with metal (usually silvery in color) provide all of
the charge equalizing abilities of the pink-poly bags but also, when properly sealed, create a
Faraday cage that completely isolates the contents from discharges and the inductive transfer of
static charges.
Storage bins made of plastic impregnated with carbon (usually black in color) are also excellent
at dissipating static charges and isolating their contents from field effects and discharges.
Never use ordinary plastic adhesive tape near an ESD sensitive device or to close an anti-ESD
bag. The act of pulling a piece of standard plastic adhesive tape, such as Scotch
®
tape, from its
roll will generate a static charge of several thousand or even tens of thousands of volts on the tape
itself and an associated field effect that can discharge through or be induced upon items up to a
foot away.
8.5 Basic anti-ESD Procedures for Analyzer Repair and
Maintenance
8.5.1 Working at the Instrument Rack
When working on the analyzer while it is in the instrument rack and plugged into a properly
grounded power supply.
1. Attach your anti-ESD wrist strap to ground before doing anything else.
Use a wrist strap terminated with an alligator clip and attach it to a bare metal portion of the
instrument chassis. This will safely connect you to the same ground level to which the instrument
and all of its components are connected.
2. Pause for a second or two to allow any static charges to bleed away.