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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: muell67 on September 18, 2005, 08:47:46 pm

Title: whats the best way to store pcb's
Post by: muell67 on September 18, 2005, 08:47:46 pm

like the subject says Im just looking for the best way to store pcb's ive got a few in my collection and plan on getting more. What is everyone else with several doing?

Title: Re: whats the best way to store pcb's
Post by: sp0rk on September 18, 2005, 08:52:24 pm

I was just going to post a question like this.  I'm down to almost 1 machine now and have been doing lots of swapping/etc, and have a ton of boards.  How do people store these?

Title: Re: whats the best way to store pcb's
Post by: LiquidFire on September 19, 2005, 01:22:03 am

Okay, I know the anti-stat bags are recommended, but I have stored 100's of of circuit board for many years with absolutely no problems by just placing them vertically in a box (like record albums) even touching each other.

Boards are not really fragile and the danger of static discharge is not great unless you handle them poorly. As a matter of fact, the real static danger is to components that are unmounted like CMOS chips. These should be placed in conductive (usually black) foam. The idea is not as much to protect from static but to keep all of the pins at the same potential.

The greatest danger of long-term storage is from oxidation or leaking memory batteries. Remove any batteries present and keep your boards in a cool, dry place. As in a previous post, avoid using cling-wrap! It is non-conductive.

If you are afraid of static, place a layer of foil on the bottom of the box to make you feel better. That should keep everyone happy.

Title: Re: whats the best way to store pcb's
Post by: paigeoliver on September 19, 2005, 03:48:58 am

I always stored mine in priority mail boxes, often stacked 10 and 15 high. You can make massive board storage facilities with priority boxes.

Title: Re: whats the best way to store pcb's
Post by: webgeek on September 19, 2005, 07:44:15 am

Quote

then wrap a couple layers of aluminum foil around them

I just want  to mention that this works great, but don't do it if the board has a battery on it. You need to remove the battery first as was already posted. For instance, computer motherboards contain a battery to keep the system clock running when the power is out. If you were to wrap it all in foil, then who knows what you would be shorting out.

Mike

Title: Re: whats the best way to store pcb's
Post by: ShinAce on September 19, 2005, 09:00:33 am

Humidity kills more boards than static does.

I also store unused pcb's by stacking them together naked.

Title: Re: whats the best way to store pcb's
Post by: Luckydevil on September 19, 2005, 09:07:02 am

not sure what size you guys need, but they have them here for about $15 for 100 of the esd bags.

http://www.esdbagsonline.com/esdbags_metalin.html