It's been quite a while since I had to setup an ESD safe lab environment, so maybe times have changed, but what follows simply doesn't sound correct to me:
I bought a pack of 10 74HCT00 SOIC devices from a UK ebay seller. The devices arrived in a folded piece of ordinary copier paper and wrapped in sticky tape. No hint of any ESD packaging in sight.
I contacted the seller to enquire as to why the devices had not been shipped in an anti-static bag. Their response was "These are ESD protected devices".
The seller appears to believe that as the devices are "ESD protected", normal ESD handling/shipping does not apply.
That sounds complete crap to me, but I'm happy to be educated by the forum.
While it's true that some components do have built-in ESD protection, it doesn't mean they are immune to ESD damage during shipping and handling.
"ESD protected" usually refers to the design of the chip built to minimize the risk of damage during normal operation within an ESD-safe environment.
But clearly during shipping and handling, there's still a risk of static discharge that could damage the components if they're not adequately bagged / protected.
I'm not an expert though - but that is my experience working with some hardware engineers a while back...
I've never "seen" paper generate static but it doesn't provide any protection either. Regular tape can generate static.
...I've mostly "gotten away" with poor anti-static practices in my hobby electronics and when I've worked at places with lax practices. It might depend on the humidity where you live. I live in California and I don't notice a lot of static. But once I had an Arduino die "for no reason" and there's a good chance it was static discharge.
...One place I worked I had a chair/stool that generated enough static to get a spark! I had some anti-static spray that I'd "treat" the chair with occasionally but that chair didn't really belong in an electronics company! I had aground strap but I didn't always wear it. I did try to touch-ground before touching boards & components, and I don't think I ever "zapped" anything.
I've had a similar ESD experience - I too have mostly "gotten away" with poor practices in my hobby.
I seem to recall back in my schooldays that nylon carpets were great for generating a static charge that you could then discharge on some unsuspecting student...
My personal view is the same as @J-M-L. Just because a component may have built-in ESD protection, it doesn't make them bullet-proof. Normal ESD handling and shipping procedures should still be followed.
Oh well, I didn't pay a lot for them. If the were DIL/DIP devices, then I could at least socket them. These were SOIC devices so I think I'll just chuck them to avoid a bigger headache further down the line.
People usually talk about static sensitivity as if it is a binary thing, but of course it is not. Devices are more or less sensitive to static, with a value measured in volts/meter. The environment will also produce a range of static voltage, depending on materials, humidity etc. Paper will hold a charge, it is the principle used in copiers and laser printers. However, it is probably at the low end.
The labs I have worked in over the years have got progressively more strict over the years, the latest protocol would not allow paper in an ESD Protected Area, unless it was in an anti-static sleeve. But these labs have to assume the most sensitive devices are being handled, for example some specialist sensors are very sensitive.
Smaller feature size makes devices more sensitive. For older technology like HCT, the feature size is probably quite high, so the static sensitivity is relatively low. I don't take any particular ESD precautions when handling these devices at home.
I would not be too worried about devices wrapped in paper, I think I would be more worried about pins getting bent or counterfeit devices. I usually order ICs from reputable suppliers like RS, Mouser Digikey etc, at minimum they come in an anti-static bag. Unfortunately, this does make it expensive for them to ship small orders. I have had some single devices come in a anti-static vacuum sealed 50 piece waffle tray with humidity sensor.
If this is for personal/hobby use, I would choose differently. I've bought plenty of electronics components that arrived in suspect/poor packaging. Zero issues. Good practice? No. But like you said - you pay your money, you take your chances.
If you're doing commercial production, it's a different story - but then I'd resort to reputable retailer in the first place.
Well in the Lake district it is much more likely to see rain than not.
Yes I am quite lax about static in my own workshop, except the whole area is carpeted with static conducting tiles. I got them cheap as seconds, because cosmetically you can see slubs in most of the tiles. But it doesn't stop them working.
Basically that seller was wrong, there is no protection worth talking about in the devices during transit. Just give him that feedback.
