ESD Protective packaging

Definition of the types of packaging

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

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 ESD.

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.  

If a material has a surface resistance of >10⁹ W, charge on the surface must decay, returning the surface potential from 1000V to 100V in less than 2 seconds. Surface resistivity less than 10⁴ W ("hard ground") is allowed at the discretion of the ESD Coordinator.

Packaging material resistances must be maintained to the highest and lowest humidities expected under operational conditions.

All components, tools or materials that are not made of EPA compliant material, should be packed in low charging and dissipative, or conductive, materials before transport into the EPA.

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.

Definitions of packaging material types

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

A very useful article on ESD packaging is given here