Semiconductors are vulnerable to damage from static electricity generated by the human body. An experimenter has estimated that the human body can have a capacitance of up to 400 picofarads and a charge as high as 50,000 volts. When discharged, such as when touching metal, this can create a spark with an energy of 500 millijoules. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid direct contact with a PCB containing semiconductor devices. Below are some recommendations to prevent static charge damage to these components:
1. Use ESD-rated conductive finger cotsĀ when opening and handling the package.
2. Connect the cablesĀ to the PCB while wearing the ESD finger cots.
3.Remove the finger cotsĀ after the cables are connected.
4. If you need to touch the PCB again,Ā always wear ESD-rated finger cots.
Following these guidelines will help protect semiconductor devices on the PCB from potential static electricity damage.
