Repair cells are high-risk areas because boards are handled repeatedly, often after they have already failed in the field. The work may involve diagnosis, soldering, programming, cleaning, inspection, and repacking. Each step creates another chance for ESD damage if the cell is not controlled.
Failure 1: untested wrist straps
A repair technician may wear a wrist strap all day, but the cord or contact can fail at any time. Use daily testing and replace worn straps promptly. Marvel Products’ Antistatic Wrist Strap and the Wrist Strap and Footwear Tester support this control.
Failure 2: unsafe temporary surfaces
Boards are often placed on paper, foam, plastic boxes, or ordinary trays during repair. Use approved ESD Work Surfaces and conductive trays or PCB carriers from Conductive Storage.
Failure 3: no packing control after repair
A repaired board may pass testing and then be damaged during dispatch. Use suitable Antistatic Packaging before moving the product out of the cell.
Failure 4: missing evidence
If there is no log of wrist strap tests, mat resistance checks, and corrective action, it is difficult to prove the repair process is controlled. Add simple records and audit them monthly.
Repair cells should be treated as production areas, not as informal troubleshooting corners. The product risk is the same, and sometimes higher.