Det-Tronics EA2100CG Eagle 2000 Communication Gateway - Manual (Page 2)

With the trend toward increasingly widespread use of
microprocessors and a wide variety of other electro-
static sensitive semiconductor devices, the need for
careful handling of equipment containing these
devices deserves more attention than it has received
in the past.
Electrostatic damage can occur in several ways. The
most familiar is by physical contact. Touching an
object causes a discharge of electrostatic energy that
has built up on the skin. If the charge is of sufficient
magnitude, a spark will also be visible. This voltage
is often more than enough to damage some electronic
components. Some devices can be damaged without
any physical contact. Exposure to an electric field
can cause damage if the electric field exceeds the
dielectric breakdown voltage of the capacitive ele-
ments within the device.
In some cases, permanent damage is instantaneous
and an immediate malfunction is realized. Often,
however, the symptoms are not immediately
observed. Performance may be marginal or even
seemingly normal for an indefinite period of time, fol-
lowed by a sudden and mysterious failure.
Damage caused by electrostatic discharge can be
virtually eliminated if the equipment is handled only in
a static safeguarded work area and if it is transported
in a package or container that will render the neces-
sary protection against static electricity.
Det-Tronics modules that might be damaged by static
electricity are carefully wrapped in a static protective
material before being packaged. Foam packaging
blocks are also treated with an antistatic agent.
If it should ever become necessary to return the mod-
ule, it is highly recommended that it be carefully
packaged in the original carton
and static protective
wrapping .
Since a static safeguarded work area is usually
impractical in most field installations, caution should
be exercised to handle the module by its metal
shields, taking care not to touch electronic compo-
nents or terminals.
In general, always exercise all of the accepted and
proven precautions that are normally observed when
handling electrostatic sensitive devices.
A warning label is placed on the packaging, identify-
ing those units that use electrostatic sensitive semi-
conductor devices.
© Detector Electronics Corporation 1982 8/82 75-1005
SERVICE MEMO
Precautions for Handling
Electrostatic Sensitive Devices
*
Published in accordance with EIA Standard 471
*
Detector Electronics Corporation
6901 West 110th Street • Minneapolis, Minnesota 55438 USA • Facsimile (612) 829-8750
Telephone (612) 941-5665 or (800) 765-FIRE • Telex 6879043 DETEL UW • Cable DETRONICS
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