Moisture sensitivity level (MSL) is a rating that shows a device's susceptibility to damage due to absorbed moisture when subjected to reflow soldering as defined in J-STD-020. It relates to the packaging and handling precautions for some semiconductors.

Most semiconductor products are rated MSL3 or higher. MSL 1 is the highest rating where it is considered as being not moisture sensitive even at 85% RH and components rated MSL1 do not require dry packing.

Jul 23, 2019 · The Moisture Sensitivity Level – known in the electronics industry as simply “MSL” – helps identify how long a component can be exposed to 60-85% relative humidity at temperatures less than 86 degrees F before it becomes …

Moisture sensitivity level (MSL) is a rating established by JEDEC for electronic components that indicates the floor life of the component and provides the maximum allowable exposure for electronic components in humid environments. I’ve considered all 8 MSL classifications and explained them in detail in this article.

MSL 1: Components in this category have the lowest sensitivity to moisture and can typically be exposed to ambient air without special precautions. They have a long shelf life and are considered moisture-insensitive. MSL 2: Components in this category …

IPC/JEDEC Moisture Sensitivity Levels (MSL) Different package types exhibit different sensitivity levels to moisture ingress and its effects. The older, through-hole, bulkier packages absorb moisture per volume at a slower rate than the thinner, surface-mount packages of recent times.

MSL defines moisture absorption into 6 different levels through standard test methods and criteria. The MSL 1 classified non-hermetic package is the least sensitive to moisture and MSL 6 is the most sensitive.

Mar 18, 2024 · Components with MSL 1 designation are considered the least sensitive to moisture. They have a long floor life and are less prone to moisture-related issues during assembly. Components classified as MSL 2 or MSL 3 have moderate sensitivity to moisture.

Jan 20, 2025 · Correct understanding of pcb msl levels can prevent component damage, enhance quality control and ensure product compliance. List of PCB MSL levels MSL levels range from 1 to 6, where level 1 represents the lowest sensitivity to moisture and level 6 represents the highest.

Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL) is a standard defined by IPC/JEDEC J-STD-020 that indicates how susceptible a moisture/reflow-sensitive electronic component is to moisture-induced stress during storage, handling, and the PCB assembly process.