PROTECTION OF MAGNETIC HEADS AGAINST ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGES

MR heads having MR sensors are protected against damage caused by electrostatic discharge or the presence of electrostatically charged fields. A shunt is provided across the adjacent conductive leads or traces to the MR sensor at a point that is immediately adjacent their termination on the MR head. A solder bridge may be used for the shunt. The solder shunt is removed prior to putting the integrated suspension on which the MR head is mounted into operation in a magnetic disk drive system. The solder shunt is removed by reflowing the solder and drawing the reflowed solder away from the leads to break electrical connection of the shunt across the adjacent leads to the MR sensor. To facilitate removing the shunt by reflowing the solder, at least one solder lobe of a chosen geometry is placed adjacent a lead. This lobe includes a confining lobe which serves to confine the solder in the shunt region when the shunt is formed, and a designated portion which serves to draw the solder to a designated location away from the shunt region upon subsequent solder reflow, thereby causing a physical break in the shunt. Physical removal of the solder material would not be required. The shunt may also be in the form of an integral bridge of conductive material interconnecting the adjacent leads, which is removed by using a laser to melt the material.