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ESD Protective packaging

Updated December 2023

Definition of the types of packaging

61340-5-1 defines three categories of packaging - intimate, proximity, and secondary packaging:

Term

Definition

Intimate packaging

Packaging material which may make contact with the ESDS

Proximity packaging

Does not make contact with the ESDS, but may enclose one or more ESDS

Secondary packaging

Mainly used to give physical protection, is kept away from ESDS and is not allowed in the EPA.

Warning labels (compliant with 61340-5-1) must appear on all packages containing ESDS. If removed for access, they must be replaced.

When unwrapping a package containing sensitive devices, it is important to remove packaging as far as the ESD protective packaging layer that bears the ESD symbol. This layer must only be removed within an EPA.

Secondary packaging, such as polythene bags, cardboard boxes, jiffy bags etc. must not be taken into an EPA as they can be the source of electrostatic charge and lead to ESD risks.

Packaging used in the EPA

Packaging brought into the EPA must not have an insulating outer surface. It must allow charge to dissipate to EPA ground. Secondary packaging must not be brought into the EPA.  

Packaging used to protect ESDS inside the EPA

 

Intimate packaging

Proximity packaging

Powered ESDS

Use low charging and dissipative material that has sufficient resistance to prevent discharge of batteries Any ESD protective packaging

Non-powered ESDS

Use low charging and conductive or dissipative material.

Non-ESDS

Use packaging suitable for ESDS, or low charging material

Packaging material resistances must be maintained at the lowest humidities expected under operational conditions. Materials are normally qualified at 12 % RH.

Note that materials like pink polythene often depend on air humidity and can lose their low charging and dissipative properties below about 30 %RH.

Packaging used outside the EPA

An ESDS transported outside the EPA must be protected by a low charging and dissipative (or conductive, if non-powered) layer of intimate packaging around the ESDS. This must be further surrounded by shielding proximity packaging. 

Some packaging, such as shielding bags, combine the intimate and proximity shielding packaging functions. At the time of writing, hielding bags are the only commonly available packaging that has approved shielding characteristics for protection of ESD sensitive components outside the EPA.

Packaging used to protect ESDS outside the EPA

 

Intimate packaging

Proximity packaging

Powered ESDS

Use low charging and dissipative material

Use ESD shielding packaging.

Non-powered ESDS

Use low charging and conductive or dissipative material.

Non-ESDS

Use packaging suitable for ESDS, or low charging.

N/A

Definitions of packaging material types

In 61340-5-1 & 2, the following definitions apply to packaging materials:

Packaging material

Definition

Low charging material

Not defined, but is discussed in IEC 61340-5-3 Annex D.

ESD Shielding

A material which is capable of attenuating an electrostatic discharge (IEC 61340-5-3, reducing the energy transmitted from a 1000V human body model test discharge to 20nJ or less within the package. A specific test is given for ESD shielding bags in IEC 61340-4-7. IEC 61340-5-3 accepts packaging as ESD shielding if

  • the intimate packaging is dissipative or conductive
  • a barrier layer or a defined air gap is included that attenuates ESD energy
  • Conductive

    Packaging material which has a surface resistance less than 10 kΩ

    Dissipative

    Packaging which has a surface resistance less than or equal to 10 kΩ and less than 100 GΩ

    Insulating Packaging which has a surface resistance of 100 GΩ or greater

    Electrostatic field shielding

    Not defined. Guidance is discussed in IEC 61340-5-3 Annex C

    A very useful article on ESD packaging is given here

    Terms and conditons

    Terms and conditions of use of the ESD Guide

    Reality of ESD Seminar

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    Where to get standards

    Where you can get the 61340-5-1 and other standards.