(ESD) Safe storage of components question

[sid]

Hi,

I've been wondering about storage of various components that I have, I'm trying to store active components
micro-controllers, DRAM chips, SRAM chips, 74 Logic and other stuff (you know the kind of stuff you left with after harvesting an old PCB)

Currently they are being stored in a configurable fishing lure type box bought from DX (http://www.dealextreme.com/p/configurable-storage-toolboxes-3-pack-4727 I love those things you can arrange them in different configurations).

My question is, how safe is it to store it there, I realize that the risk is pretty high when storing components in a not suitable containers.
But how high is high ?
Will all the components will be dead, will I have to test each component after storage ?

Dave can you do those electrostatic test on some storage boxes?

Thanks.

[Psi]

In all likelihood you will never have a single components die from ESD.
For hobby work ESD really isn't an issue worth worrying about.

There are a few exceptions though, like ultra sensitive devices. (One that comes to mind is laser diodes, some of which are very sensitive)

[cwalex]

In all likelihood you will never have a single components die from ESD.
For hobby work ESD really isn't an issue worth worrying about.

There are a few exceptions though, like ultra sensitive devices. (One that comes to mind is laser diodes, some of which are very sensitive)

What about mosfets? I always keep them in the antistatic bags and use a wrist strap with the because I worry that I could blow the gate insulating layer. Am I being paranoid?

[Psi]

Some mosfets are more protected than others, but yeah if you have antistatic bags you might as well use them.

It also depends if you live in a country will very low humidly. If you're always getting static shocks off things then looking at ESD issues is probably a good idea.

It's very rare for a hobbyist to destroy something through ESD and extremely common for stuff to blow up for other reasons 

[Christopher]

It always makes me cry whenever i get a cheap grey market IC deal from china and they come pressed in foam. Not even anti-static foam.

[Psi]

It always makes me cry whenever i get a cheap grey market IC deal from china and they come pressed in foam. Not even anti-static foam.

hehe yeah,
and yet.. they all seem to still work

[cwalex]

It always makes me cry whenever i get a cheap grey market IC deal from china and they come pressed in foam. Not even anti-static foam.

hehe yeah,
and yet.. they all seem to still work

except for the ones that just have a copper slug instead of a microcontroller die http://www.sparkfun.com/news/350