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From: mc@allegra.UUCP
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: MOSFET handling
Message-ID: <6599@allegra.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 13-Apr-87 11:13:57 EST
Article-I.D.: allegra.6599
Posted: Mon Apr 13 11:13:57 1987
Date-Received: Wed, 15-Apr-87 00:30:51 EST
Distribution: na
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill
Lines: 26

I've been handling mosfets for a long time now, and this is what I suggest
you do->    NOTHING!!!

As long as the humidity level in the room is high, meaning, if you can 
walk across a carpeted room dragging your feet behind you and finally
touch ground without an observable static discharge, your safe. The 
only time problems occur, is in the winter when usually the humidity 
level is very low. Or possible in a heavely airconditioned area.  When the 
air is dry I do the following.  Before handling a sensitive mos device I'll 
touch ground with my finger before handling it.  I limit the movement of my 
arms to prevent static charge.  Also make sure that your not wearing a 
sweater, especially one made out of wool!

I have handled cmos digital chips, ccd chips, along with a variety of
small signal(especially sensitive) and power MOSFETS, and I've never blown
one out!  Maybe I've been lucky or maybe the precautions I take are valid,
but nevertheless what I'm trying to say is that people usually over react
to these devices.

If I had to handle these devices on a daily basic,  I certainly would
obtain a wrist strap along with a conductive tabletop, but not to simply
replace a transistor in a television set.

	I hope this helps,

	Mark Cravatts