Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can create catastrophic or latent failures in electronic components. It is crucial that work spaces remain free of static by using measures to prevent triboelectric charging and electrostatic induction. Removing static can be accomplished by grounding personnel, providing antistatic devices, and controlling humidity. A wide range of anti-static control products are available such as flooring, work space mats, bags, tapes, ionizers, dessicants and personnel grounding products, as well as ESD monitoring and testing equipment.

A variety of chemicals and cleaning products are used in the design and prototyping processes. Products to keep on hand include adhesives, epoxies, lubricants, protective coatings, cleaners/degreasers, flux removers, dusters, as well as freezers, wipes, swabs, brushes, and desoldering braid.

Prototyping products include breadboards and protoboards, adapter boards, and jumper wires for creating electronic prototypes and experimenting with circuit design. A breadboard or protoboard is a reusable base used to create temporary prototypes. Solderless breadboards are perforated plastic blocks with spring clips, or tie points, underneath the typically .1" spaced perforations. Circuit designs are created with ICs, discrete components, and wire. Adapter boards allow fine-pitch components to be used with standard .1" spaced protoboards.

Soldering is a process in which two or more metal items are joined together by melting and flowing a filler metal (solder) into the joint. Electronic soldering connects electrical wiring and electronic components to printed circuit boards (PCBs). The purpose of flux is to facilitate the soldering process by preventing oxidation and, in some cases, by providing some form of chemical cleaning (corrosion). Hand soldering is performed with a soldering iron, soldering gun, or a hot-air pencil.