When should technicians treat a device as ESDS?

Technicians should treat a device as Electrostatic Discharge Sensitive (ESDS) whenever there is any doubt about its classification. This cautious approach ensures the protection of components that may not be clearly identified as ESDS but could still be susceptible to damage from electrostatic discharge. The risk posed by ESD can be significant, leading to degraded performance or failure of electronic components, which might not be immediately evident if a device is mislabeled or classified.

While devices labeled as ESDS should definitely be handled with care, relying solely on labels could overlook unmarked items that still possess similar vulnerabilities. Moreover, testing for sensitivity might not always be feasible or practical in every situation, particularly in field environments. Treating all questionable devices as ESDS ensures a conservative strategy that prioritizes the safety and functionality of the equipment, thus preventing potential damage due to electrostatic discharge incidents. Age of the device could also be a factor in susceptibility to ESD, but it is not a definitive indicator of whether a device should be treated as ESDS, hence it is not the most reliable criterion for establishing ESD handling protocols.