Desco 13868 Humidity Indicator Cards 5% 10% 15% Rh, 125 Per Can
Desco 13868 — Humidity Indicator Cards, 5% / 10% / 15% RH, 125 Per Can
The Desco 13868 Humidity Indicator Cards (HICs) provide an immediate visual indication of relative humidity (RH) inside sealed moisture barrier bags and dry-pack packaging. Each card contains three cobalt chloride–impregnated spots calibrated to 5%, 10%, and 15% RH. Spots are blue under dry conditions and turn pink when the threshold humidity level is exceeded, allowing instant assessment of whether moisture-sensitive devices (MSDs) have been exposed to unsafe humidity during storage or shipping without opening the package.
Key Specifications
| SKU / Part Number | 13868 |
| Brand | Desco Industries |
| Humidity Threshold Levels | 5%, 10%, 15% RH |
| Indicator Type | Cobalt chloride color-change spots |
| Dry Condition Color | Blue |
| Humid Condition Color | Pink |
| Quantity | 125 cards per can |
| Origin | Made in USA |
| Standard Use | IPC/JEDEC J-STD-033, EIA-583 |
Key Features
- Three-Level RH Indication: Three spots per card at 5%, 10%, and 15% RH allow you to determine not just whether threshold was exceeded, but at what level — critical for MSD floor life calculations.
- Instant Visual Read: Blue = dry/safe; pink = humidity threshold exceeded. No instruments or interpretation required.
- Reversible Indication: Cards will return to blue when humidity returns to safe levels, though any pink reading during storage should be treated as a moisture exceedance event.
- Use with Desiccant and Moisture Barrier Bags: Designed for use inside sealed moisture barrier bags along with desiccant per IPC/JEDEC J-STD-033 dry-pack requirements.
- 125 Cards Per Can: Packaged in a resealable can to maintain the cards in a dry condition between uses.
- Made in USA.
How to Use Humidity Indicator Cards
Place one HIC inside the moisture barrier bag along with the MSD components and desiccant before sealing. When the bag is opened for inspection or use, read the card immediately — a pink spot at or below the 10% threshold indicates the package interior exceeded safe humidity levels and the components may require baking per J-STD-033 before use. A fully blue card confirms the dry-pack environment was maintained throughout storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the 5%, 10%, and 15% spots indicate?
Each spot changes from blue to pink when the ambient RH inside the sealed package reaches or exceeds that spot’s threshold. If the 10% spot is pink, the interior of the package reached at least 10% RH at some point during storage. Per IPC/JEDEC J-STD-033, moisture-sensitive components exposed above their rated floor life conditions may require baking before reflow to prevent popcorning or delamination.
Are these cards reusable?
The cards are technically reversible — spots return to blue when humidity drops back to safe levels. However, best practice in MSD handling is to treat any card that showed pink during storage as a moisture exceedance event and evaluate the components accordingly. Cards should be replaced with each new dry-pack cycle to ensure a reliable baseline reading.
What standards do these humidity indicator cards meet?
The Desco 13868 HICs are designed for use per IPC/JEDEC J-STD-033 (Handling, Packing, Shipping and Use of Moisture/Reflow Sensitive Surface Mount Devices) and EIA-583. They are appropriate for use in moisture barrier bag dry-pack assemblies for MSD storage and shipping.
How should I store unused humidity indicator cards?
Keep unused cards in the original resealable can with the lid securely closed and store in a dry environment. Exposure to ambient humidity before use will pre-condition the cards and compromise their accuracy. If cards in the can show pink spots, the can seal has been compromised and the cards should be replaced.
