Why Are Integrated Circuits Preferred To Diodes And Transistors?

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Integrated circuits (ICs) are used in a variety of electronic devices, from cell phones to computers. They’re made up of tiny components that are connected together to form a circuit. When these components become dirty, it can cause the IC to malfunction. Cleaning an IC is a delicate process, and it’s important to do it carefully to avoid damaging the IC. In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how to clean an IC.

Table of Contents

Reasons to clean Integrated Circuit

Before we look at how to clean an integrated circuit, let’s look at key reasons why you should clean the IC:

Improve the aesthetics of the IC

No matter how good the product is, it should always look good. And this is why cleaning it is one of the most basic things that you should do to the IC.

Let’s say you are in the business of selling integrated circuits. You will always keep it clean to attract customers.

Naturally, people tend to be attracted to products that have aesthetic appeal.

Improve reliability of the integrated circuit

If an IC is not clean, it can easily fail. When the IC is exposed to dirt and dust, it can cause the internal parts of the IC to malfunction.

These two impurities may find their way into key components of the IC and cause some blockage. The end result is a malfunctioning IC.

Prevent chemical damage

Chemical damage usually happens in the form of corrosion. Impurities may accumulate at a particular spot of the IC and interact with the surface or body. In doing so, they end up corroding it hence causing a significant level of damage.

Thorough cleaning will play a big role in minimizing occurrence of such types of damage.

Preventing the formation of electrostatic charges

The buildup of electrostatic charges can lead to an explosion. This is why it is important to avoid the buildup of electrostatic charges.

Impurities such as dust and dirt can also cause high levels of electrostatic charge. To prevent this from happening, you should always clean the IC thoroughly.

In addition, you should also make sure that the IC has a good insulating property. This will go a long way in preventing electrostatic discharge from occurring inside the IC.

Preventing overheating

If an IC is not cleaned properly, it will be prone to overheating due to the formation of dust and dirt on its surface. This can be dangerous for some chips since they may overheat and damage themselves or even explode in extreme cases. For example, integrated circuits used in automobiles are designed such that they are not susceptible to overheating hence protecting them from any possible damages that may arise due to overheating.

However, if they are not cleaned properly, there is a huge possibility that they may overheat when exposed to high temperatures hence damaging their operations significantly.

Prevents ionic contamination

An ionic contamination is a type of contamination that is characterized by the presence of ions on an IC surface. This type of contamination poses a great risk to the IC’s operations.

This is mainly due to the fact that ions can alter the electrical charges in the chip hence affecting its performance.

You should always make sure that you clean your IC properly to avoid any possible ionic contamination from occurring.

On top of that, it is also important to ensure that your cleaning method does not involve any type of ionic compound since this can result in direct contamination on your IC’s surface hence changing its electrical charges and ultimately affecting its performance.

How To Clean Integrated Circuits: Step-by-step Guide

Now that you know all the reasons behind the importance of cleaning IC, it is time to get down and do the job.

Let’s look at what the actual cleaning process entails.

There are different methods and techniques of cleaning integrated circuits.

We are going to look at each method and the steps that you should take in implementing each one.

Using compressed air

Compressed air is often considered the safest means of cleaning an integrated circuit.

here are the steps to follow when using this method:

-Shut down the computer or device that is hosting the integrated circuit. Do not risk spraying the air while the device is running as this can lead to electrocution or any other electric-related accident.

-Remove the integrated circuit from the device. This can be done by either using a screwdriver to remove it or by gently prying it out with your hands.

-Shake off any loose particles that may be on the IC’s surface.

-Spray compressed air on the IC in a sweeping motion. Make sure that you are careful not to get any hair or other objects caught in the air flow as this can result in them being blown into the IC’s surface hence causing more damage.

-If there is any residue left on the IC, use a cotton swab or an eye glass cleaning cloth and gently wipe it off.

-Replace or reinstall the IC back into its original location and secure it with screws as necessary.

Using alcohol and water

The steps to follow when using alcohol and water are:

-Shut down your computer or device that is hosting your integrated circuit before proceeding with this method of cleaning. Do not risk spraying alcohol while your device is running as this can lead to electrocution or any other electric-related accident.

-Disassemble your device if necessary so as to access your integrated circuit. -Take a clean lint-free cloth and dip it in some alcohol then squeeze out excess liquid from it so that only a bit of moisture remains on its surface.

-Gently wipe off any residue from your integrated circuit.-Use another clean lint-free cloth dipped in some water and then squeezed out just like you did with the first

-Gently wipe off any residue left on the IC surface using this cloth as well.

-Replace or reinstall the IC back into its original location and secure it with screws as necessary.

This method should be used in a well-ventilated area. This is because the vapors from the alcohol when heated can lead to dizziness, nausea and headaches. This method is not recommended for pregnant women or those with heart conditions.

Alcohol is also flammable hence fire should be avoided when using it to clean your integrated circuit.

Vinegar Method

-Pour some white vinegar into a bowl and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to it.

-Dip your lint free cloth in this solution and squeeze out excess liquid so that only a bit of moisture remains on its surface.

-Gently wipe off any residue from your integrated circuit using this cloth as well.

-Use another clean lint free cloth dipped in some water and then squeezed out just like you did with the first one.

-Gently wipe off any residue left on the IC surface using this cloth as well.

-Replace or reinstall the IC back into its original location and secure it with screws as necessary.

Removing corrosion from the IC

Another cleaning technique entails removing traces of corrosion from the integrated circuit.

Here are the steps to follow:

-Mix the baking soda and water in a bowl until you end up with a thick paste.

-Apply this paste on the corroded section of the IC until it is completely covered.

-Leave the paste on the surface of the IC for at least 24 hours. This will give it time to soak on the surface.

-Proceed to revive the corrosion. However, ensure that you are very gentle with the process to minimize any further damage.

Remove the battery if damaged or corrodes

The cleaning process may include inspecting the power unit and cleaning it up.

In this case, you will have to remove the battery and inspect it. Try to get rid of the corrosion that are on the terminals.

If the corrosion is too strong, you will have to replace it.

After inspecting the battery, clean it thoroughly by removing any debris that may have accumulated in the battery compartment. You can use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and debris from the unit.

Make sure that you do not touch anything inside of this unit as they may be very sensitive and can be damaged with a simple touch.

If there is a lot of dirt accumulated in your power unit, you can use a soft brush to remove it. While cleaning, do not forget about cleaning up your battery terminals as well.

Use an old toothbrush for this purpose. If there is any corrosion on your terminals, you will have to remove them first before cleaning them up.