$50 Robot Electrostatic Sensitive Devices

[photray94]

Hi SoR members, I've got a quick question for y'all.  I have obtained all the parts for the $50 robot, I have yet to remove them from the packaging, I want to finish the chassis first .  The Atmega8 MCU and the IC 5V regulator are both in electrostatic sensitive protective foil packaging.  On the packaging is a warning label which reads:

CAUTION
ELECTROSTATIC
SENSITIVE
DEVICES
DO NOT OPEN OR HANDLE
EXCEPT AT A
STATIC-FREE WORKSTATION

How do I go about handling these devices without damaging them?

[bens]

Always discharge yourself in a way that will cause any electrostatic discharge to pass through something other than the component.  Before you remove the chip from the bag, touch a large piece of metal.  Before you pick the chip up from the table, touch the table top.  Before you hand a component to someone else or receive a component from someone else, touch that person's hand with your hand.  The whole idea is that you want any difference in built-up charge to equalize through a route that will not take it through the component (where it might destroy some fragile connection).  If you just hand a component straight to someone else and that person has a different level of built-up charge than you do, charge will flow from you to him (or vice versa) through the component, which is potentially bad.

If you live in an area with high humidity, ESD probably won't be such a big issue.  If instead you live in a dry climate, ESD will be much more common.

- Ben

[Asellith]

Well you can handle that warning one of two ways. Like me (the bad way) ignore it and be careful not to touch the metal pins to much. Or like a real technician should get an esd strap and ground that. Then attach it to your wrist or ankle and save your devices. I've never blown a chip by improper handling. The chance is there.

I live in Florida so some days I make a point to get a strap out because in the winter we may get a cold spell that will make the air really dry. Or if you live up north (were I grew up) Most of the winter is rather dry. That leads to more electrostatic build up. So depending on climate more precaution is needed.

Most components are ESD protected but even those protections are not 100% safe. If you really want to be safe spend the 5 or 6 bucks on an esd strap and ground yourself. Or take your chance and be careful not to touch the metal pins to much.

[photray94]

Thanks for the quick responses guys!  I'll see if the parents will make a run to the local hardware store .

[Joesavage1]

Hi SoR members, I've got a quick question for y'all.  I have obtained all the parts for the $50 robot, I have yet to remove them from the packaging, I want to finish the chassis first .  The Atmega8 MCU and the IC 5V regulator are both in electrostatic sensitive protective foil packaging.  On the packaging is a warning label which reads:

CAUTION
ELECTROSTATIC
SENSITIVE
DEVICES
DO NOT OPEN OR HANDLE
EXCEPT AT A
STATIC-FREE WORKSTATION

How do I go about handling these devices without damaging them?

My atmeg8 says static on the packet but my IC 5V regulator dosent say it is on the packet, i got them both from the same site, is there a chance my IC 5V regulator canet be static killed?


Thanks

Joe

[TrickyNekro]

If you are in your house relaxing building your robots, you can just wear nothing at feet...
So you are grounded....
I imagine your house isn't colder that 22 ^oC.....
So... you can wear nothing....

 Hey!!! Where is dragon to see this post??? Much love!!!


Best Regards,
Lefteris, Greece

[Razor Concepts]

Has anyone actually killed their MCU by not discharging static?

Someone should get their footy pajamas and shuffle accross the carpet, then pick a MCU up.