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4–4 Maintenance and Service Guide
Removal and Replacement Preliminaries
4.4 Preventing Electrostatic Damage
Many electronic components are sensitive to electrostatic
discharge (ESD). Circuitry design and structure determine the
degree of sensitivity. Networks built into many integrated circuits
provide some protection, but in many cases the discharge contains
enough power to alter device parameters or melt silicon junctions.
A sudden discharge of static electricity from a finger or other
conductor can destroy static-sensitive devices or microcircuitry.
Often, the spark is neither felt nor heard, but damage occurs.
An electronic device exposed to electrostatic discharge may not
be affected at all and can work perfectly throughout a normal
cycle. Or the device might function normally for a while, but
because it has been degraded internally, it can fail prematurely.
4.5 Packaging and Transporting
Equipment
Use the following grounding precautions when packaging and
transporting equipment:
■ To avoid hand contact, transport products in static-safe
containers, such as tubes, bags, or boxes.
■ Protect all electrostatic-sensitive parts and assemblies with
nonconductive or approved containers or packaging.
■ Keep electrostatic-sensitive parts in their containers until the
parts arrive at static-free workstations.
■ Place items on a grounded surface before removing items
from their containers.
■ Always be properly grounded when touching a sensitive
component or assembly.