Comments on: EEVblog #3 – Anti Static Myths Busted

By: sid

sid — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:39:36 +0000

nice initiative Dave !!!!
Myself being a student of electronics engineering , there are not much stuff on net…that we can learn from regarding our field …

By: Kubing

Kubing — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 16:07:50 +0000

I put most of my component in this esd bag.

By: ac

ac — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 12:38:28 +0000

I mean – if its the the static discharge into the IC that damages it, then wouldn’t just touching a resistor first do whatever touching the IC pins does. Or is it more about being in very different potential due to the static charge and the IC not tolerating this difference due to sinking the current while the plain resistor just adapts to ones potential and since feet are closer to ground it won’t discharge into the resistor.

By: ac

ac — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 12:31:29 +0000

At http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/components/74series.htm

it says:

“The CMOS circuitry used in the 74HC and 74HCT series ICs means that they are static sensitive. Touching a pin while charged with static electricity (from your clothes for example) may damage the IC. In fact most ICs in regular use are quite tolerant and earthing your hands by touching a metal water pipe or window frame before handling them will be adequate.”

I’d like to know why simply touching a resistor or even taping some into your hands isn’t enough to discharge the static electricity?

By: ac

ac — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 19:37:48 +0000

Some funny old news I found when googling about ESD:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200509/s1461751.htm

The man left a trail of scorch marks and molten plastic behind him.
…
The CFA has Mr Clewer’s jacket and says it is continuing to give off voltage.

I recall reading about some synthetic clothes made to generate electricity for wearable device by the motion the material makes or something. I guess that’s a bit different though than trying to harness this static energy into some usable form.

By: Sam

Sam — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 00:19:02 +0000

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

By: EEVblog

EEVblog — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 02:37:06 +0000

It is not being paranoid to fear anti-static poly bags, as that’s the point of the blog, they are all but useless at protecting devices from being zapped. If you want protection then you need static shielding.
The argument over modern devices being more robust in regards to ESD is moot, there is still the danger there of damaging devices.

By: Gau

Gau — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 22:38:02 +0000

Hi Dave,
I recently bumped on to your page via Tom Hayes’(of AoE fame) course page. I find it a great source of info and entertainment! keep them coming.
With ref. to this blog- about ESD zapping, don’t you think it’s a bit too paranoid to expect a zap thru the anti-static poly-bags damaging the chip?
I mean, the IC-designers put in place an extensive ESD-protection around all the pads for precisely this reason?

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:31:20 +0000

Dave,

Really enjoying your vlog!

Just thought I’d add that it’s not just the PIC24s that have an awful silicon bug list. The dsPIC30s are just as bad, including a 32kHz RTC oscillator that shuts down in sleep mode! Microchip apparently isn’t interested in fixing things either – this is present through several revisions of multiple chips. The only way out for most of them is the 33F, which comes with a whole new load of problems!

So my next project is going to be on an AVR…

Martin