What’s the difference between rubber and vinyl matting?

Rubber matting should be used when you are working with chemicals and/or where high resistance to heat is required. It’s very durable and can be easily cleaned. Vinyl matting provides excellent static dissipation and it’s much more cost-effective opposed to rubber. It’s great for table-top work surfaces and can be easily cut into shape.

To view our ESD Matting range, please click here.

Do I need an ‘Overhead Ioniser’?

Overhead ionisers ensure a static-free work area by neutralising static charge on insulated objects by producing a balanced source of positively and negatively charged ions. They are light-weight, quiet and are high-performing. The fans are independent of each other with individual controls and circuitry. These units have a built-in auto-balance feature with an out-of-balance alarm.

See our overhead ionisers here.

Do I need a ‘Bench Top Ioniser’?

Bench top ionisers are used to ensure a static free work area by neutralising static charge on insulated objects by producing a balanced source of positively and negatively charged ions. Its smaller size and lighter weight have made it more convenient to use which is great for workstations.

See our bench top ioniser range here.

Why do I need a ‘Moisture Barrier Bag’?

Moisture barrier bags are designed for the packaging of SMD’s protecting them from moisture and static damage. Dry devices are placed inside the moisture barrier bag and the moisture-laden is evacuated.

See our moisture barrier bag range here.

Why do I need an ‘Antistatic Bag’?

They should only be used for non-static sensitive components, e.g. Nuts, bolts, paper. These are the only acceptable ‘plastic’ bags in an EPA. They offer no effective protection against a contact ESD. Antistatic bags deteriorate with wear and time, monitoring them is very important.

Note: Ordinary plastic bags can generate and hold static charges in excess of 10,000v!

See our antistatic bag range here.

How should I use a ‘Metalised Shielding Bag’?

Do not crease the bag as this can breakdown the integrity of the metalised shield. You should not use any bags damaged with tears and / or punctures as these can destroy the function of the faraday cage. Metalised Shielding Bags can deteriorate with use, monitoring them for effectiveness is crucial.

See our metalised shielding bag range here.

Why do I need a ‘Metalised Shielding Bag’?

If bags, holding static sensitive components, are to be handled outside of an EPA, they should be metalised shielding bags – a faraday cage. Metalised shielding bags can be an effective faraday cage, subject to the quality of material and physical condition.

See our metalised shielding bag range here.

Why do I need to use the correct packaging?

Using the correct packaging and materials not only protects your static sensitive components, but it can save you money too. If you use incorrect packaging then you could potentially cause damage to your device/component.

See our ESD bag range here.

Is a damaged component scrap?

If a component has ‘catastrophic’ damage it will show up in a test. However, ‘latent’ damage may not appear as a failure until later; i.e. tomorrow, next week, next month or even next year.

What happens if I don’t ‘Earth’ myself?

You may cause an E.S.D onto a component/PCB.