Abstract: A package system for populated circuit boards is disclosed. The circuit board is placed on a piece of conductive paperboard and is shrink wrapped with an antistatic film, which may be provided with a tearstrip. Placed on a cardboard carton, the package provides good protection against physical shocks, vibration and electrostatic discharge.

Abstract: A ribbon fault detection system within an impact printer has a pair of resilient electrical contacts disposed in spaced-apart relation across the width of an ink ribbon within each of a pair of ribbon guides located between the opposite ends of a print station and a pair of spools for receiving the opposite ends of the ink ribbon and driving the ink ribbon. Each of the electrical contacts which is silicone coated to minimize ink migration and which is normally held out of engagement with a mating contact due to engagement by the ribbon is coupled in parallel with the other resilient electrical contacts so that closure of any one of the resilient electrical contacts onto its mating contact will generate an indication of a ribbon fault condition.