Vacuum pack anyone? I think they may have even sucked all the air out of the individual pockets on the tape as well. Eesh.
In that respect, they are correct that the humidity will ruin the parts … if you don’t take proper care prior to using them. Not only do I put fresh desiccant packs in all of my shipments, I also toss in humidity indicators. Despite it being rather dry over here, the little humidity that we do have occasionally can and will ruin stuff. So I keep a close eye on everything I use. Especially after a sealed packet is opened.
That’s interesting - I live in a ridiculously high humidity environment (like 85%+) what are the effects on LED strips?
On stuff that’s already made, next to nothing, unless it’s a humidity sensor in which case you will have to recalibrate it. However, on raw parts that still need to be used and reflowed, they need to be below 10% humidity, some lower than that. Otherwise when you reflow them, the steam generated by the water molecules will damage the part.
I see. (I think 
)
As I am an old-fashioned solder-and-stick hacker, I don’t think it applies to me, but is interesting info, nonetheless.
It mainly applies to SMD parts because the whole part goes in the oven and stays there for a few minutes with temperatures as high as 275C. You know at what point water turns to steam …
Just before my kettle turns off? 