Filter
Top Products
4
Electrostatically Sensitive (ES) Devices
Some semiconductor (solid state) devices can be damaged easily by static electricity.
Such components commonly are called Electrostatically Sensitive (ES) Devices.
The examples of typical ES devices are integrated circuits, some field-effect transistors and semiconductor “chip”
components. The following techniques should be used to help reduce the incidence of component damage
caused by static electricity.
1. Immediately before handling any semiconductor component or semiconductor-equipped assembly, drain off any
electrostatic charge on your body by touching a known earth ground. Alternatively, obtain and wear a
commercially available discharging wrist strap device which should be removed for potential shock reasons
prior to applying power to the unit under test.
2. After removing an electrical assembly equipped with ES devices, place the assembly on a conductive surface
such as aluminum foil to prevent electrostatic charge buildup or exposure of the assembly.
3. Use only a grounded-tip soldering iron to solder or unsolder ES devices.
4. Use only an anti-static type solder removal device. Some solder removal devices not classified as “anti-static”
can generate enough electrical charges to damage ES devices.
5. Do not use freon-propelled chemicals. These can generate enough electrical charges to damage ES devices.
6. Do not remove a replacement ES device from its protective package until immediately before you are ready to
install it. (Most replacement ES devices are packaged with leads electrically shorted together by conductive
foam, aluminum foil or comparable conductive material).
7. Immediately before removing the protective material from the leads of a replacement ES device, touch the
protective material to the chassis or circuit assembly into which the device will be installed.
8. Minimize bodily motions when handling unpackaged replacement ES devices. (Otherwise harmful motion such
as the brushing together of your clothes fabric or the lifting of your foot from a carpeted floor can generate
enough static electricity to damage an ES devices).
General Soldering Guidelines
1. Use a grounded-tip, low-wattage soldering iron with appropriate tip size and shape that will maintain tip
temperature within a 550°F-660°F (288°C-316°C) range.
2. Use an appropriate gauge of RMA resin-core solder composed of 60 parts tin/40 parts lead.
3. Keep the soldering iron tip clean.
4. Thoroughly clean the surface to be soldered. Use a small wire-bristle (0.5 inch or 1.25cm) brush with a metal
handle. Do not use freon-propelled spray-on cleaners.
5. Use the following soldering technique:
a. Allow the soldering iron tip to reach normal temperature (550°F to 660°F or 288°C to 316°C)
b. Hold the soldering iron tip and solder strand against the component lead until the solder melts.
c. quickly move the soldering iron tip to the junction of the component lead and the printed circuit foil, and hold it
there only until the solder flows onto and around both the component lead and the foil.
d. Closely inspect the solder area and remove any excess or splashed solder with a small wire-bristle brush.
CAUTION: Be sure that no power is applied to the chassis or circuit, and observe all other safety
precautions.
CAUTION: Work quickly to avoid overheating the circuit board printed foil.