What Should You Not Do to Avoid ESD?

To avoid electrostatic discharge (ESD), remember to ground yourself, avoid handling your merchandise with your hands and protect ESD-sensitive stock with packaging that provides adequate ESD protection. ESD is all around us even when we don’t realize it, like feeling static electricity when walking over a carpet and then touching a metal object. Your body can transmit static electricity through your fingers and hands to an object and cause damage if you don’t take adequate precautions.

Don’t Take Grounding for Granted

Grounding yourself by allowing electricity to flow to the earth rather than your products can be your first defense against ESD. You can achieve this by wearing an anti-static wristband and touching the band before touching any ESD-sensitive stock. You can also touch any grounded object, like a metal faucet, before you handle any merchandise.

Don’t Leave Stock Without Proper Packaging

Aim to keep all stock prone to static electricity damage in its designated packaging. When you receive items in your warehouse or facility, check if they’re encased in anti-static bags and foam. If not, do the following:

• Store and handle stock in an area protected against static electricity: If there’s an area where you can ground yourself or that is free from other electronics, this should be sufficient for repackaging and storage.
• Ground yourself first: Break any flow of static electricity in your body, and don’t touch leads, circuits or pins.
• Place items in ESD-protected packaging: Remove the stock and repackage it in suitable packaging that provides adequate ESD protection.
• Avoid removing stock from its containers or bags: Once you’ve adequately protected merchandise from ESD damage, avoid removing it from its packaging while it waits for further delivery and while in transit.

Avoid Standard Packaging That Doesn’t Provide ESD Protection

Typical packaging that doesn’t protect against ESD damage could protect the product physically against particulates but won’t shield against static electricity. Paper and plastic bags can exacerbate exposure, furthering the need to avoid standard forms of packaging.

Protect Your Items With Caltex Plastics ESD Static Shield Packaging

Your inventory is your asset, and protecting it against ESD is one of many steps you can take to ensure a healthy bottom line. The professionals at Caltex Plastics understand the need for premium ESD protection. We have Anti-Static (A.S.) Black Conductive packaging, static shielding and barrier protection options, providing Faraday cage-like protection for all sensitive items. To find out more, request a quote today by contacting us online.