working with mosfets

[slr 5000]

hi all i have to desolder some mosfets from a couple of amp modules i have and solder them back on to the other side to allow for a different heatsink mount .ive heard they are very sensitive to handling and soldering .im after some tips and info on anything i should be carefull of like static etc whilst im soldering them cheers

[unclejed613]

while MOSFETS are ESD sensitive in general, i've never actually had one fail from normal handling, and i've lived in a very dry climate for the last 18 years. if you're worried about it, use some of the black carbon filled foam to plug the leads into, and silvered antistatic bags to keep them in. since power MOSFETS have larger gate areas than CMOS ic's, they're less likely to be damaged by low to medium static charges. and most power MOSFETS also have built in zener diodes to protect the gates. if you were to hold a MOSFET by the drain tab and shuffle your feet across a carpet and touch the gate lead to a piece of grounded metal, you would definitely damage the FET. i had somebody hand me a brand new AGP video card once, and felt a shock as they handed it to me. the video card failed as a result.

[slr 5000]

hi mate thanks for your help all i have to do is unsolder them from one side of the board and solder them back onto the opposite side whith the legs bent so they sitt parralel to the board instead of at 90 degrees like they currently do