Electronics > Beginners

How should I protect from electrostatic charges?

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TERRA Operative:
I would put each cartridge into its own metallized Mylar 'zip-lock' bag along with a small desiccant bag to remove any humidity.
Then stack the pile of bagged cartridges into a black plastic tub to keep light out and put it somewhere cool.

Foam on the cartridge fingers is unnecessary IMO.

McBryce:
Hi Doctorkong,
          I own quite a few old cartridges for several systems (although I wouldn't describe myself as a collector). Static damage would be an extremely unlikely event with these cartridges as the contacts are well protected from finger touching etc. The only time I've ever seen one being damaged was during connection/disconnection from the console, at which time you'll have removed the anti-static bag anyway. If they are in a box and not being handled, there is zero chance of them being damaged from static. The biggest longterm risk to these "newer" cartridges (the older ones only contained a single EPROM) are the electrolytic capacitors which can leak and eat away at the copper tracks.

McBryce.

Doctorkong:
Thank you for the suggestions. How can be possible to avoid the capacitors to leak? From what I understand from experts like you the CR batteries cannot leak because they are solid. In fact I think that's true because I didn't see some real leakage, maybe corrosion because of water in contact with the battery.

My solution would be the ESD bag + acrylic box to protect them all. I don't know how to avoid capacitors to leak anyway

helius:
CR contents are not solid, but they are not harsh alkali like alkaline cells. Specs mention lithium perchlorate dissolved in organic solvents. Lithium perchlorate salt is neutral (since it is a salt of a strong acid (perchloric acid) and a strong base (lithium hydroxide)).

Electrolytic capacitors leak when their rubber seal (the bung) is breached, in combination with heat or voltage applied. The rubber seals normally are quite robust, but they were widely damaged when the PCBA was cleaned after assembly with solvents. This is the reason for leaking capacitors in 1980s and 1990s equipment. The only way around this is to either periodically inspect the board for signs of leakage, or to replace them with new capacitors (and not repeat the damaging solvent cleaning).

Doctorkong:

--- Quote from: helius on July 04, 2018, 03:00:54 pm ---CR contents are not solid, but they are not harsh alkali like alkaline cells. Specs mention lithium perchlorate dissolved in organic solvents. Lithium perchlorate salt is neutral (since it is a salt of a strong acid (perchloric acid) and a strong base (lithium hydroxide)).

Electrolytic capacitors leak when their rubber seal (the bung) is breached, in combination with heat or voltage applied. The rubber seals normally are quite robust, but they were widely damaged when the PCBA was cleaned after assembly with solvents. This is the reason for leaking capacitors in 1980s and 1990s equipment. The only way around this is to either periodically inspect the board for signs of leakage, or to replace them with new capacitors (and not repeat the damaging solvent cleaning).

--- End quote ---

Thank you. So, if I don't use the cartridge (I don't need to use it because I've already done a backup) and I preserve from charges and high temperatures (like using a ESD bag + control the temperature) the risk is really low. Those capacitors (from the photo) seems to be in very good conditions, there shouldn't be visible damages

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