[sdiy] OT: Where to get cheap ESD safe electronics parts drawers?

[Dave Brown]

My experience is similar as well.  I don't remember the exact numbers but it
is something like 4KV before you can feel the spark from your finger to the
doorknob.  Parts can be damaged well below this, down in the tens and
hundreds of volts.  The damage I have seen isn't catastrophic at first
either.  I remember one failure analysis where the static blew off part of
the metallization of a power run.  The remaining run couldn't handle the
power density and the metal began to migrate on the chip until it failed
much later.  I also remember issues where we used static bags at work, but
that scotch tape dispenser would generate KVs when you pulled the tape.
Likewise compressed air through the right kind of hose can generate static.
The opposite is true with vacuum systems, especially for dust collection and
the results can be sawdust ignition which isn't a lot of fun.

It is easy to manage static. Store parts in non-generating containers.  Ship
stuff in static bags, not just wrapped in bubble wrap.  Use a wrist strap or
have something to ground yourself to before touching parts or circuits.

Dave

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Synth-diy [mailto:synth-diy-bounces at synth-diy.org] On Behalf Of
> rsdio at audiobanshee.com
> Sent: Saturday, March 11, 2017 6:06 PM
> To: synth-diy at synth-diy.org
> Subject: Re: [sdiy] OT: Where to get cheap ESD safe electronics parts
> drawers?
> I grew up and learned electronics in North Carolina where it is quite
humid.
> My first CMOS project was an ADSR from a Polyphony magazine / PAiA
> schematic, and it was also the first and only electronic project I ever
built that
> did not work. Previous projects were all transistors and op-amps, and this
> was the first time I had to take care of static discharge - which I failed
to
> heed.
> 
> My experience says that static sensitivity is nothing to scoff at, unless
you
> have plenty of money and time to waste. Handling is risky. It's not so
much
> that you need lots of expensive anti-static paraphernalia - you just need
to
> make sure that you ground your body before touching any exposed circuits.
> 
> Brian Willoughby
> Sound Consulting