Circuit & System Protection


Clearing the Static: ESD protective packaging

25 October 2023 Circuit & System Protection


Greg Barron, Actum Group director.

The primary objective of electrostatic discharge (ESD) protective packaging is to prevent ESD incidents within the packaging and facilitate the dissipation of charges from the outer surface. Actum offers a comprehensive range of ESD protective packaging solutions designed to eliminate charge generation and provide static protection. This type of packaging is indispensable when transporting ESD-sensitive items outside of controlled ESD-safe environments.

Actum’s protective packaging includes a wide selection of dissipative ESD bags, zip-top bags, foil bags, foam materials, sheeting and boxes. Additionally, antistatic bubble wrap bags tailored for safeguarding small electronic components and PCBs can also be provided.

Anti-static protective packaging is crucial for several reasons:

1. Preventing electrostatic discharge damage: The primary purpose of ESD protective packaging is to safeguard electronic components and sensitive devices from ESD events. Electrostatic discharge can cause irreparable damage to electronic components by introducing sudden, high-voltage electrical charges, which can disrupt or destroy delicate circuitry.

2. Preserving product reliability: ESD damage may not always be immediately apparent, but can lead to latent failures in electronic components. This means that a damaged component may initially appear to function correctly but fail prematurely, potentially causing product recalls, warranty issues, and customer dissatisfaction. ESD protective packaging helps maintain product reliability and longevity.

3. Ensuring data integrity: In electronic devices like hard drives and memory chips, ESD can corrupt or erase data. ESD protective packaging is essential for maintaining data integrity during storage and transportation.

4. Cost savings: Protecting electronic components with ESD packaging can save significant costs associated with replacing damaged components, reworking products, or dealing with warranty claims and customer returns.

5. Maintaining production efficiency: In manufacturing and assembly processes, ESD events can lead to production disruptions, rework, and increased scrap rates. ESD protective packaging helps maintain production efficiency.

6. Mitigating safety risks: ESD events can also pose safety risks to personnel working with sensitive electronics. Protecting components with ESD packaging reduces the risk of accidental electrical discharges that could harm workers or damage equipment.

7. Environmental considerations: ESD protective packaging helps minimise electronic waste. Without proper protection, damaged components may need to be discarded, contributing to environmental concerns.

In summary, ESD protective packaging plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity, reliability, and safety of electronic components and devices. It is an essential part of ESD control measures employed in various industries to ensure that sensitive electronic equipment functions as intended and remains free from damage caused by electrostatic discharge.


Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Ensuring safety with earth leakage protection
NewElec Pretoria Circuit & System Protection
Earth leakage protection helps mitigate the risks of electric shocks, fires, and equipment damage by swiftly identifying faults and disconnecting the power supply, thus safeguarding both human lives and machinery.

Read more...
Suppressing EMI with filters
Vepac Electronics Circuit & System Protection
EMI/RFI filters play an important role in reducing the high-frequency noise that is generated by various electrical and electronic devices.

Read more...
Patch attenuates like a shielding cabinet
Würth Elektronik eiSos Circuit & System Protection
Würth Elektronik has launched its hybrid WE-EMIP EMI absorber sheet, a convenient solution for reducing electromagnetic interference by up to 40 dB.

Read more...
Clearing the Static: Ionisation equipment
Actum Electronics Circuit & System Protection
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) ionisation equipment is designed to neutralise static charges that accumulate on surfaces in environments where ESD-sensitive components or materials are handled. These ...

Read more...
Motor and feeder protection for LV and MV environments
NewElec Pretoria Circuit & System Protection
This relay from NewElec is a micro-controller-based precision instrument with ANSI protection elements, advanced control features, and switchgear controller logic integrating motor and feeder control functions.

Read more...
Clearing the Static: How to protect PCBs from electrostatic discharge and moisture
Actum Electronics Circuit & System Protection
Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are essential components in most electronic devices. They are sensitive to environmental factors like electrostatic discharge (ESD) and moisture, which can cause significant ...

Read more...
Clearing the Static: ESD chairs: Essential tools in controlled protected areas
Actum Electronics Circuit & System Protection
Static poses a significant risk in various industries, particularly those involving sensitive electronic components and equipment. To mitigate these risks, electrostatic discharge (ESD) chairs play ...

Read more...
Clearing the Static: ESD dissipative floor mats
Actum Electronics Circuit & System Protection
Dissipative floor mats are specialised mats designed to protect sensitive electronic equipment and components from electrostatic discharge (ESD), by quickly drawing the static electricity off workers before they touch such items.

Read more...
Clearing the Static: ESD transportation and storage
Actum Electronics Circuit & System Protection
CORSTAT and CORTRONIC storage boxes are excellent choices for transporting ESD-sensitive components like PCBs, as they feature a soft, dissipative foam lining for cushioning and static removal.

Read more...
Clearing the Static: Understanding the significance of ESD audits
Actum Electronics Circuit & System Protection
An ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) audit is the first step in establishing an ESD plan, and it is important to include all areas where ESD-sensitive components are being handled.

Read more...