How to Transport and Store to Avoid Static Electricity
Conductive foam is often used to transport components with leads. This prevents high potential differences between the leads. For components in dual-in-line packages, static-dissipative tubing is often used during bulk shipping.
Circuit board assemblies should be transported in static-shielding bags or conductive shipping boxes when outside an ESD-protected area. Some bags are made of conductive material, which ensures that all components are at the same potential under stable conditions while dissipating any static charges that may be introduced into the bag. This approach should not be used for circuit boards with batteries. In such cases, bags with a static-dissipative lining and a conductive outer layer should be used. These bags are more expensive but provide excellent protection for both powered and unpowered components.
Similarly, conductive boxes with internal guide rails to secure the circuit boards should not be used with powered circuit boards with exposed connectors on the edges.