SENSIRION SCD4 Series Handling Instructions

Handling Instructions
For SCD4x CO Sensors
2

Preface

For taking advantage of the SCD4x outstanding
performance, some precautions must be taken during
storage, assembly and packaging. Please read the
following instructions carefully - preferably during design-
in phase and before production release of the respective
device.
1 ESD protection
The sensor shall be protected from ESD (Electrostatic
Discharge) and only be handled in ESD protected areas
(EPA) under protected and controlled conditions (ground
all personnel with wrist-straps, ground all non-insulating
and conductive objects, exclude insulating materials
from the EPA, operate only in grounded conductive floor,
etc.). Protect sensor outside the EPA using ESD
protective packaging.
Protection against ESD is mandatory.
2 Mechanical handling
As the SCD4x is an optical system, it must not be
exposed to extreme mechanical forces at any time. Wear
clean gloves or finger cots while handling the sensor and
avoid touching the white protection membrane.
Furthermore, no excessive force must be applied to the
protection membrane on top of the metal cap. Damage
to the protection membrane such as partial removal or a
minor cut will make the sensor irreversibly defective.
Finally, the sensor must not be exposed to strong air
blasts from an air-pistol.
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
The protection membrane on top of the metal
cap must not be removed or damaged.

No excessive shear force must be applied to the
metal cap.

The sensors in SMD packages are classified as
Moisture Sensitivity Level 3.

Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of
volatile organic compounds such as solvents
should be avoided.
3 Exposure to Chemicals
Some solvents might cause the protection membrane to
peel off the metal cap which results in an irreversible
defect of the SCD4x sensor. Furthermore, the SCD4x
comprises a best-in-class Sensirion relative humidity
(RH) and temperature (T) sensor that must be protected
from pollutants. While ambient environments are usually
not critical for the sensor, pollutants are known to occur
in manufacturing environments and may occur during
storage and by packaging materials. Please carefully
follow the guidelines in this application note to ensure
that the performance of the built-in RH/T sensor is not
compromised. Note that preserved accuracy of the RH/T
sensor is required to ensure precise CO
the entire relative humidity and temperature range –
even if the RH and T output is not used in the application.
The sensor shall not get in close contact with volatile
chemicals such as solvents or other organic compounds.
Especially high concentration and long exposure must
be avoided. Ketenes, acetone, ethanol, isopropyl
alcohol, toluene, etc. are known to cause drift of the
humidity reading – irreversibly in most of the cases.
Please note that such chemicals are integral part of
epoxies, glues, adhesives, etc. and outgas during baking
and curing. These chemicals are also added as
plasticisers into plastics, used for packaging materials,
and do out-gas for some period.
Acids and bases may affect the sensor irreversibly and
shall be avoided: HCl, H
ozone in high concentration or H
effect and therefore shall be avoided. Please note that
above examples represent not a complete list of harmful
substances.
The sensor shall not get in contact with cleaning agents
(e.g., PCB board wash after soldering). Applying
cleaning agents to the sensor may lead to drift of the
reading or complete breakdown of the sensor.
Version 1 – January 2021
readings over
2
SO , HNO , NH etc. Also
2 4 3 3
O have the same
2 2
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