Why are items sensitive to electrostatic discharges?
While microchips have grown smaller with greater functional capabilities, the components have become increasingly more complex requiring minute amounts of electrical current in terms of microvolts (one-millionth of a volt). These items are sensitive/susceptible to damage caused by static electricity and or electromagnetic forces. Thus, requiring electrostatic/electromagnetic protective packaging materials, special marking, special workstations, clothing, equipment, and handling procedures. • Are there different types of ESD damage?showNewIcon(“26 Nov 2002”); Yes. Electrostatic discharge damage can take the form of upset failures or catastrophic failures. • UPSET FAILURES result in gate leakage. • CATASTROPHIC FAILURES occur in two forms: Direct and Latent failures. UPSET FAILURES occur when an electrostatic discharge (ESD) has caused a current flow that is not significant to cause total failure. However, in use it may intermittently result in gate leakage causing loss of software or in
