Electronic – air contamination fault

datasheetfault

I read the following in the datasheet of ULN2803

Utmost care is necessary in the design
of the output line, COMMON and GND
line since IC may be destroyed due to
short−circuit between outputs, air
contamination fault
, or fault by
improper grounding.

I understand what short-circuit is, but what does "air contamination fault" mean?

Best Answer

I'm fairly certain it means crap from the air being deposited on the board and/or chip. Think dust/little metal fibers/similar things. They're often a problem in places where you need to drive big magnetics or coils, which this driver could be used for.

Think factory equipment, etc...