ESD screwdrivers worth it?

[pozidriv]

Hi,

I'm looking to upgrade my set off precision screwdrivers and I was wondering what you guys thought of the ESD versions of these type screwdrivers. I've been working on electronic components for some type with the cheapest kind of metal screwdrivers there are and never had any problems with static discharge (I am wearing a wrist strap).
Is this extra esd protection actually of any benefit or more of a marketing thing, pretty useless if you're wearing a strap anyway?

I need to add pictures to satisfy this crowd , so I was specifically looking at these two sets:
Non ESD

ESD:

 

[pozidriv]

No electronic enthusiasts here?

 

[gti]

Do you really need the protection?

 

[cide1]

I always viewed the ESD safe ones as more of a compliance thing. I think the non-ESD ones are probably fine in 99% of situations.

 

[alan camby]

Moody makes sets of precision screwdrivers that are cheap, ESD safe , and USA made.

edit:
Many sets to choose from.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000B61FU2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Biomed]

Hi,

I'm looking to upgrade my set off precision screwdrivers and I was wondering what you guys thought of the ESD versions of these type screwdrivers. I've been working on electronic components for some type with the cheapest kind of metal screwdrivers there are and never had any problems with static discharge (I am wearing a wrist strap).
Is this extra esd protection actually of any benefit or more of a marketing thing, pretty useless if you're wearing a strap anyway?

Been working in electronics for 38 years (medical, telecommunications and computers) and never recall an ESD incident that I was involved in. I have seen incidents caused by others. I wear a wrist strap when mandated by the employer otherwise I have a habit of touching a ground potential surface prior to poking around sensitive electronics.

My current employer has policy that we wear a wrist strap when working with EPROMS, USB thumb drives and compact flash cards. Many folks do not comply (especially with thumb drives and flash cards) but I have not seen many issues. We do have grounded anti-static mats on many work surfaces.

I like the Wiha ESD precision screwdrivers and have been buying them lately rather than standard precision screwdrivers. For the past year I have been using a Wiha 1/4" ESD precision nutdriver, Wiha 7/32" ESD precision nutdriver, Wiha #1 Phillips ESD screwdriver and Wiha ESD chip lifter for 6-7 hours per day several days per week and have been pleased with the tools.

No electronic enthusiasts here?

Lots more truck/auto enthusiasts than electronic enthusiasts here.

 

[pozidriv]

Cool!! Thanks for the informative replies!
I finally went for the top (non ESD) set, cause it just didn't seem worth the 10 extra bucks. Bought it together with a lot of other electronic goodies on a dutch group buying site ==> really cheap

 

[BFHtime]

What Dutch group buying site would that be?

 

[pozidriv]

samenkopen.net
€15 for the top set (wiha 260P K6)

 

[oldschoolcraft]

Other than maybe a few extra bucks in cost, is there any downside to using ESD micro screwdrivers? Are they heavier, or flimsier or anything negative at all other than the cost?

 

[Michael_in_DE]

I have the red set. I didn't buy them for the ESD though. I just like the tools as they are. They have been very good for me.

 

[Reed Prince]

From what I can tell, there is no difference except that the handle has a conductive coating that ensures that the metal shaft has no built-up static charge.

This EEVblog Forum thread discusses these tools at length: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/begin...-tweezers-and-other-tools-vital-or-marketing/

 

[6PTsocket]

The idea is to have an unbroken static grounding path from the device to ground. The esd safe handles are made from a plastic that is static conductive. As mentioned, most of the other precautions, like touching ground, ESD mats and wrist straps will usually be sufficient. But if you want the maxumum protection, the logic behind the ESD handles makes perfect sense.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[BMack37]

Other than maybe a few extra bucks in cost, is there any downside to using ESD micro screwdrivers? Are they heavier, or flimsier or anything negative at all other than the cost?

No. If there were no markings and the colors were the same you wouldn't notice the difference, in fact, the normal Wiha drivers are actually ESD.

 

[Reed Prince]

No. If there were no markings and the colors were the same you wouldn't notice the difference, in fact, the normal Wiha drivers are actually ESD.

Perhaps some are, but apparently not all of them.

 

[mr.lemons]

Been working in electronics for 38 years (medical, telecommunications and computers) and never recall an ESD incident that I was involved in. I have seen incidents caused by others. I wear a wrist strap when mandated by the employer otherwise I have a habit of touching a ground potential surface prior to poking around sensitive electronics.

My current employer has policy that we wear a wrist strap when working with EPROMS, USB thumb drives and compact flash cards. Many folks do not comply (especially with thumb drives and flash cards) but I have not seen many issues. We do have grounded anti-static mats on many work surfaces.

I like the Wiha ESD precision screwdrivers and have been buying them lately rather than standard precision screwdrivers. For the past year I have been using a Wiha 1/4" ESD precision nutdriver, Wiha 7/32" ESD precision nutdriver, Wiha #1 Phillips ESD screwdriver and Wiha ESD chip lifter for 6-7 hours per day several days per week and have been pleased with the tools.





Lots more truck/auto enthusiasts than electronic enthusiasts here.

How do you know you have never been 'involved in an esd incident?' Most static discharges are not noticeable. You may have damaged 100s of components or none it's impossible to tell.

 

[rlitman]

Perhaps some are, but apparently not all of them.

Though it is not really the right test for ESD purposes, at least try that test with a megger. Your VOM cannot give a useful reading on the resistances that are pertinent to ESD dissipative surfaces (it is useful merely to test "conductive" surfaces).

While your strap is supposed to provide a 1M ohm path to ground, considerably higher surface resistances are acceptably dissipative. As much as 1x10^12 ohms meets some requirements.

 

[Spacey_G]

Not only are the discharges sometimes not noticeable, the damage can result in latent failures. A component can be damaged by an ESD shock and then fail months later in the field. This is why it's important to follow proper ESD precautions even if it may not seem like it's necessary.

 

[Dingleburry]

Perhaps some are, but apparently not all of them.

But the red ones arent esd?
And yeah megger would better.
Dmm use like .2 to 3v for resistance
Static is like 20k to 50k volts? I think?

 

[Vvmvbb]

Not only are the discharges sometimes not noticeable, the damage can result in latent failures. A component can be damaged by an ESD shock and then fail months later in the field. This is why it's important to follow proper ESD precautions even if it may not seem like it's necessary.

Yeah, starting out I had the opportunity to talk to a Bell Labs static guru. It's all about latent failures. If you are lucky something fails instantly.

 

[RoyArms]

Tested with a fluke insulation meter at 1000V, got 2.2Gohm which is the max reading for 1000V, same as no leads connected meaning they are at least that.

 

[joe_pinehill1]

If you work on electronics, with sensitive ESD parts, yes, definitely.