ElectroStatic Discharge, it's caused by accumulation of electrostatic charge as a result of rubbing, and can damage semiconductor devices like integrated circuits.
2
votes
1answer
61 views
Is it OK to connect ESD plug through an RCD?
I am thinking of rewiring some of my workshop with a RCD spur for my machine tools and bench and an emergency stop. I use an ESD plug to ground an antistatic mat when working on electronics on the ...
0
votes
1answer
125 views
Why would one NOT buy ESD-safe tools? [closed]
For audio work, Arduino work and other electronics projects, why would you decide NOT to buy esd-safe screwdrivers, pliers, cutters and tweezers?
13
votes
3answers
253 views
Static-sensitive high-precision resistor?
I just received some 10K .1% precision resistors from Digikey (part number PTF10KECT-ND). Unlike all their other passive components, which come in a normal plastic bag, these came in a metalized bag ...
0
votes
3answers
153 views
ESD sensitivity of P-channel MOSFET vs N-channel
It is well documented that N-channel MOSFETs are extremely sensitive to ESD damage. I've personally killed more than one.
Are P-channel MOSFETs just as sensitive? I'm thinking that, since the ...
2
votes
3answers
275 views
Ideal temperature and humidity for preventing problematic ESD conditions?
I know manufacturers often keep components sensitive to ESD problems in climate controlled rooms and I'm just wondering what the ideal temperature and relative humidity is to prevent ESD problems?
0
votes
3answers
167 views
How do I know I'm not drawing too much current for my 3.3V supply?
Continuing my learning expedition, I've decided to use the LM3S5R36-IQR80-C3 ARM Cortex-M3 MPU, to try and learn to build my own little experiment PCB, almost like the Teensy 3.0. The idea is to learn ...
3
votes
2answers
173 views
Can BJT transistors be damaged by static electricity?
I'm wondering whether they should be stored in anti-static bags or not?
2
votes
3answers
226 views
Does lacquer coat protect a PCB from ESD damage?
Does lacquer coat protect PCB from ESD?
It seems that it actually does, because lacquer is isolation and it's a barrier from my body to the circuit. But I'm not sure.
0
votes
1answer
69 views
Safe insert/removal of XBee from circuit
Is it safe to remove an XBee or similar radio module while the host is still powered up?
I am trying to build a programming jig using an ARM11. The peripheral board is connected with TTL level UART ...
1
vote
2answers
101 views
Can a pogo pin spring cause an inductive spike?
I have an IO pin on a LM3S1751 microcontroller tied to a pogo pin which shunts to ground when engaged. There is a 100k external pullup on the pin. The pin sees 3.3V when not engaged and 0V when ...
1
vote
2answers
119 views
ESD Protection for AC-coupled signals
This part apparently supports ESD protection of eSATA. But SATA interfaces are AC coupled. This means their common mode voltages could well be centered around 0V, with negative voltage swing. On the ...
1
vote
4answers
213 views
Why don't gas pumps spark and explode?
What Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protections exist in the gas pumps at gas stations? I believe that here more than ever even one spark is intolerable. How can a it be assured that there is never ...
4
votes
2answers
264 views
Is it OK to rely on an ADC's internal protection diodes?
Related to: ESD protection of ADC input.
To protect an ADC input from out-of-spec voltages, including ESD, it is often recommended to use diodes connected to GND and Vcc. If I have a 1k series ...
9
votes
3answers
419 views
Cleaning Circuits with Compressed Air
I've been arguing with a colleague whether it is a sensible solution to clean dusty PCBs with compressed air. While I think this is the best solution (nothing touches the PCB), he claimed that ...
7
votes
2answers
228 views
What should I look for when shopping for an ESD bench mat?
I would like to get an anti-static mat for my bench top and found these two:
DigiKey: Table mat ESD blue 2X4' rubber
Mouser: Antistatic Control Products 2X4' blue table mat
What should I look for ...
3
votes
2answers
288 views
Why did my FM transmitter mysteriously die?
I made a little FM transmitter project a few months ago. I used an Arduino, a litle 4-digit serial LED display, a couple of buttons and an FM transmitter component with breakout board
I had this put ...
3
votes
2answers
115 views
Determine the orientation of an ESD protection chip
I have an ESD protection chip that has been unsoldered from my board, and for which we have lost the orientation. (I.e. we don't know where pin 1 is - the little dot has gone.)
Because of the ...
10
votes
6answers
473 views
Understanding voltage and current
While reading "Electronics for dummies" went through the following block and I realised that I have some uncleared concepts about electricity:
Electrostatic discharge involves very high voltages ...
3
votes
1answer
162 views
ESD effect on MCU pin
I have a question about ESD effect on MCU pins that troubles me.
MCU pins configured as input, that are not pulled low or high are likely to make trouble, and very likely to make trouble in case of an ...
2
votes
1answer
199 views
ESD Horizontal Coupling Plane
We have designed a circuit which is enclosed inside a plastic enclosure.
The equipment was tested on a standard ESD testing site (on top of a isolated plate placed on a HCP).
The equipment failed the ...
8
votes
2answers
875 views
ESD protection of ADC input
I'm want to protect a MCU(PIC18F67J60) ADC input(0 to 3.3V) against ESD surges.
I have seen different approaches and has come in doubt what would be the preferred method. Or possible just pros and ...
3
votes
1answer
273 views
Why is static-dissipative (sometimes mislabelled “anti-static”) polythene pink?
Is it related to the anti-static properties (and therefore "all" pink bags are static-dissipative)
Or is it simply a distinguishing colour added during manufacture which may also be applied to normal ...
2
votes
2answers
462 views
What is the difference between high and low density anti-static foam in terms of protection against ESD?
As far as anti-static foam is concerned, does it matter if it's high or low density? Or is it just another way to upsell me?
On Amazon I see low density foam, and high density.
2
votes
1answer
89 views
What is causing the input to my buffer to be damaged?
I have recently been having issues where the buffer of the circuit below has been damaged. The output pin (2) does not change with changes to the input pin (1). I sent 2 of these ICs to Fairchild for ...
3
votes
1answer
151 views
I can't find a PFET protected against ESD
I like to use OmniFETs for MOSFETs because they have internal protection against ESD so I am unlikely to damage them while handling and then when they don't work I don't have to wonder if it was ...
8
votes
3answers
576 views
How can I tell if a chip has ESD damage?
I have a several chips (microcontroller, PIC16F1939) some of which have weird behavior (random resets, some pins pulled high some of the time). All of them are running the same software. I suspect ...
1
vote
1answer
236 views
esd protection of power supply line
I have designed a small MCU circuit which is to be supplied by a 3.3V DC supply.
Since this is a small subcircuit which will be mounted upon other PCB's, I need to consider ESD (at least on the power ...
2
votes
1answer
294 views
TVS Diode Layout
I have two DB37 connectors on my board which ultimately connect to a CPLD. All of these connections/signals are inputs to the device.
To protect from ESD I am using TVS Diodes ESD9C3.3ST5G. I have ...
2
votes
3answers
196 views
Static dissipative ESD footware
Are shoes like this used in professional labs or is this just a gimmick?
http://www.esdshoe.com/products/Lightweight-Classic-Mid-High-ESD-Composite--Basketball-Shoe-%252d-Men%27s.html
3
votes
3answers
918 views
ICs with humidity or moisture sensitivity - bake recommendations
I purchased some ICs recently that included something I'd not seen before - a moisture 'sensor' on a paper strip with color indicators for a few specific levels of humidity. Once the paper reaches a ...
5
votes
2answers
334 views
Basic ESD common sense for breadboarding and 300+ component storage?
I've purchased a large batch of items, varying from capacitors to potentiometers to ICs and would not like to ruin the investment in a careless mistake.
I have a metal filing cabinet from IKEA that ...
2
votes
1answer
359 views
Choosing TVS Diodes
I need to put in some TVS Diodes for ESD protection of my CPLDs. The CPLD is connected to a wiring harness. The amount of current in them is very low, around 3.3mA. The highest operation voltage in ...
7
votes
2answers
423 views
To avoid ESD when you are working on computers, what should you attach your wristband to?
When I'm working on computers, I want to avoid eletrostatic discharge. I have a wristband, but I'm not sure that I'm attaching it to the right thing. Usually, I'll clip it to the case of the computer. ...
5
votes
4answers
304 views
Reliability of anti-static packaging
OK, DILs are on the way out, but from time to time you still can see CMOS DILs packaged like this as ESD protection:
That's aluminium foil on EPS (expanded polystyrene). The EPS isn't conductive, ...
4
votes
2answers
233 views
anti-static top for a workbench
I have a general purpose workbench that I would like to use for electronic work. It currently has a wood top, which I would like to protect (think varnished butcher block).
I have a small anti-static ...
1
vote
3answers
401 views
How useful is Horsehair brush for cleaning populated PCB
Professor angry as I clean old PIC devboard with nylon brush, and warned me to use horsehair brush next time.
I have been using nylon brush for long time, even to clean my PC and audio amp and they ...
2
votes
2answers
429 views
Is a flyback diode necessary with a TC1412?
Im using TC1412 MOSFET drivers on an H-bridge for a motor, the datasheet says the drivers are protected against 5kV of ESD.
Is it necessary to use a flyback diode on the output?
5
votes
2answers
765 views
ESD Diode layout recommendations
I have a DB25 I/O connector, thru-hole. The pins connect to an SMT MCU, which I want to protect from ESD, specifically IEC 61000-4-2. I want to use SMT Zener diodes to protect the pins.
I am ...
12
votes
4answers
2k views
Are discrete MOSFETs ESD sensitive?
CMOS inputs on microcontrollers and other ICs can be damaged by ESD discharges. Can the gate of a big discrete MOSFET (2N7000, IRF9530, etc.) be damaged by ESD discharges?
8
votes
2answers
343 views
USB ESD protection
I am using a microcontroller (PIC32) with a USB interface. The USB interface will be often exposed to human body ESD discharges. Should I protect against these, and if so, how?
7
votes
2answers
1k views
ESD protection devices - necessary for MCUs?
I'm working with two chips on a board, a dsPIC33F and a PIC24F as well as a serial EEPROM (24FC1025.)
I've seen these little ESD protection devices in 0603 packages:
...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Best humidity level for electronic shops?
What is the best humidity level for an electronic shop? On one end of the scale, you will have problems from corrosion due to high humidity and condensation, but at the other end there will be serious ...
26
votes
11answers
786 views
Should I be worried about electro-static discharge?
Doing mostly micro-controller work, I have never bothered with grounding myself with a wrist-strap or any other implementation.
Should I be worried about this?
How serious is ESD when working at my ...
2
votes
3answers
217 views
Non-isolated input conditioning for a crude switch
I'm trying to build something Arduino-based which can (among other things) detect when a user touches two specific fingers together. The best idea I can come up with is to have a wire on each finger ...
