Electrostatic Discharge Mitigation

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Static electricity is a high voltage, low current charge stored in an insulated body.

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) occurs when a path allows electrons to rush from a statically charged body to a component that has no charge.

Protect Component Handling

Proper component handling tools and techniques protect electronic components against ESD when you service a PC or mobile device:

• work in uncarpeted area
• touch unpainted part of a metal computer chassis to drain residual charge from your body
  • unplug computer
• wear an anti-ESD wrist strap or leg strap
• use anti-ESD surface mat
• hold edges of chips by the plastic mounting card

Proper Component Storage

• store in antistatic packaging
  • antistatic bags
    • coated with conductive material that prevents static electricity from discharging inside the bag
  • dissipative packaging
    • light pink or blue
    • reduces buildup of static in the general vicinity of the contents
    • used to package non-static-sensitive components packed in proximity to static-sensitive components