Storage analysis up to 18 months - Electronic equipment

[johnjbart]

Dear all,

We're in need some help regards to STORAGE for our electronic equipment.

How can it be shown that without component or part replacement, adjustment or maintenance after being in storage up to 18 months. ?

Is there any known method to show it with an analysis.?

Regards,
Tugmen.

 

[Marc]

Product or test equipment?

 

[Al Rosen]

Dear all,

We're in need some help regards to STORAGE for our electronic equipment.

How can it be shown that without component or part replacement, adjustment or maintenance after being in storage up to 18 months. ?

Is there any known method to show it with an analysis.?

Regards,
Tugmen.

Use the individual storage data for the components, if you have it, or perform inspection and test before and after storage for a sample. Of course for the latter, you woud need to wait the 18 months and that would not be practical. JEDEC has standards for both low temperature and high temperture storage of compnents. You can find them at www.jedec.org.

 

[Graeme]

This may be overkill, but the Department of Defense has standards for packaging and storing just about everything they have. For example, MIL-STD-2073-1, Standard Practice for Military Packaging. You can search through the ASSIST web site - free registration is required.

I have also seen a reference to an ASTM standard -- D3951 Standard Practice for Commercial Packaging. The scope statement says

This practice establishes minimum requirements for packaging of supplies and equipment, exclusive of ammunition, explosives, or hazardous materials, as covered in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

A few things that I know from experience:

• If the equipment has batteries for operation, remove the batteries if the item will be stored for more than 30 days.
• If the equipment has a keep-alive battery for internal memory (like your computer does) that can stay in but the item should be opened and checked every 12 to 18 months.
• Cool, dry storage conditions are better than warm, humid conditions - but hot and dry is acceptable.