For Brad (and all the rest of you young’uns):
’… when the part is in the ESD path. … if a part has a small or thin
geometry as part of their physical structure then the voltage can
break down that part of the semiconductor.
Currents during these events become quite high, but are in the
nanosecond to microsecond time frame.
Part of the component is left permanently damaged by this,
which can cause two types of failure modes.
Catastrophic is the easy one, leaving the part completely nonfunctional.
The other can be much more serious.
Latent damage may allow the problem component to work for hours, days or even months after the initial damage before catastrophic failure. Many times these parts are referred to as “walking wounded”, since they are working but bad.”
http://www.ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/electricCircuits/Semi/SEMI_9.htm
That link goes to a good thorough discussion of what to do, and what not to do, to avoid these problems.
It’s not hard. But you have to care about doing it right.
Notice how many suppliers send electronic gear like drivers in clear plastic bags — the kind you just rub to build up static charge.
They know there isn’t likely to be an immediate failure. And hey, you’ll buy more from them later.
“Our manager of customer retention is Lucinda Boltz” as they say on Car Talk. Keep them coming back for more.
THe professional suppliers send parts in the antistatic bags, with antistatic foam pads, and instructions how to prevent static damage.
Luxeonstar, for example, has a sticker that warns you not to slide a strip of bare emitters out of the envelope — instead open the bag and lift it out. They are doing it right.
