When ordering from RS or farnell plastic components come in sealed bags.
Recent order from digi key just folded over ends.
Should i be baking these out prior to soldering ?
Hi,, baking???????
I don't think you will have any problems with any packaging for any of those three suppliers.
Tom...... 
I would expect not but i cannot find digikeys method or policy on this.
Stuff from rs i know what work time to expect
Digikey had no dessicant , unsealed packet.
So i assume i only have 72 hours to use , assuming they came out of dry conditions.
a few seconds in the microwave should sort out your concerns
ONLY JOKING -- DO NOT DO THAT !!!!! ]
] ]
I really don't understand your concern. The components, once removed from a packet (sealed or otherwise), are exposed to the humidity of your environment, irrespective of what that may be. Unless the items are actually wet there should be no cause for concern. The component internals are hermetically sealed so external humidity only acts upon the leads.
I'm sure most reputable suppliers go to great lengths to ensure their products are not immersed prior to sale.
Hi, what component came from digikey has you asking about packaging?
Very few products come with a desiccant, and if a desiccant is needed it will have been placed in an individually packed packet with the chemical at the place of manufacture.
I can understand if you are in a high humidity part of the world, but I'd say that its in the distributors' best interest to keep their product within recommended environmental limits.
Tom........
JohnLincoln:
Plastic IC packages do absorb a small amount of moisture from the air.This needs to be removed by baking out, to prevent the package from exploding due to steam formation when going through an automated soldering process, where the whole of the IC is rapidly brought up to soldering temperature.
If you are hand soldering then it is generally unnecessary to perform a bake out.
I am having a small no of boards reflow soldered, there a failly large no of different component which i am scourcing myself.
The co has supplied some guidelines for this to minimise the chance of faults.
It includes advice on packaging , with a warning not to buy retail , ie from places picking parts out of plastic boxes.
I take that as a warning not to buy from a known supplier in the uk.
As said not a problem for hand soldering.
TomGeorge:
Hi, what component came from digikey has you asking about packaging?
Very few products come with a desiccant, and if a desiccant is needed it will have been placed in an individually packed packet with the chemical at the place of manufacture.Tom........
Various smt components.
I certain they were origionaly supplied with dessicant , but they have obviously been cut off reels and repackaged.
Im only concerned with the plastic packaget ones ( semiconductors )
Hi, yes I can understand that, the heat shock in flow soldering and IR ovens could cause problems.
In fact that could be the cause of a problem we had about 12 months go with some smt resistors.
They were soldered in a strip on a long thin PCB with reed switches, used in level sensor with magnetic float.
After about 5 weeks the array went out of cal, all the resistors measured 30 to 50% high and when being desoldered they fell apart.
If they were "damp" the act of soldering could have caused some damage due to "steam" expansion.
Makes ya think, don't it.
Tom.......