Small batch production and proper ESD component storage

[mcinque]

I'm going to build soon a small batch of circuits and I have a BOM with some TPH ESD components inside.

These ESD "sensitive" components (according to their manufacturers) are :
schmitt trigger
atmel mcu
quartz crystal oscillator
some TVS
some 1N4xxx diodes
dc-dc converter
IRF & ZVN mosfets
TO-100 linear regulators

I'd like to have a box with all the BOM components properly organized ready to be picked for the thru hole placement .

For all the NON ESD compoents (passives, small parts, screws, fittings) I normally use this:



which is made of polystyrene.. of course not the suggested material for static control...

But I must say that for many months I've used that kind of box to store ESD sensitive components without any apparent issues.

Since AFAIK ESD damage is NOT limited to simply kill a component (so you could have a dead circuit or not), but it can dramatically shorten it's life (and therefore you can ship many circuits that will fail in X months), I wonder if I must purchase a proper ESD box to store the sensitive parts or if this it's something that you must do only with a 10.000 pcb mass production.

In my "lab", the RH is 52-65% and I normally use a properly grounded ESD mat.

I think that the ESD sensitive components I have in my BOM are NOT so sensitive, otherwise, since they are much common, many of us would have dead circuits (I see how my friends store their parts! ).

What do you suggest? How much of you have experienced issues with ESD, that common components and a small batch production?

[rdl]

Just about any device that uses MOS technology is going to be static sensitive. All but a couple of the items on your BOM definitely, probably or maybe use MOS technology. When in doubt, follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

[lapm]

If this is product you manufacturing for sale, take precaution recommended by manufacturers. And after you are done, you still have those esd safe containers for next project..

[zapta]

I wouldn't keep them loose in non ESD box. My situation here is similar and I keep the components in plastic dissipative bags (pink) stored within a metal candy box.  Another option is inserting them into those ESD foams



ESD damage is not all or nothing, sometimes the damage partial and your boards will still pass the test.