ESD damage actually is mechanical. The damage is a microscopic erosion of a circuit caused by an overload or “zap” of static electricity, just like a power extension cord that is being overloaded over time it finally gives out and fails. One of the reasons it is so important to prevent ESD from the beginning. This is probably one of the many reasons why so many “gadgets” that we all use over time stop working. Cumulative would seem appropriate to me. Ken Bliss Bliss Industries, Inc --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 -----------------------------------------------------