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Any help is appreciated!

I though it could be power switching diode but confused with no cathode marking or a capacitor. The device turns on intermittently (1 out 100 reset attempts).

Shape: cylindrical Seems that external part is plastic. It is white/beige in color. Dimensions: L ~3.9mm, Diameter ~1.9mm enter image description here

unknown component

unknown component2

Added another picture with better focus:

enter image description here

I've de-soldered and cut the component in half. Here is correspondig picture:

cross section view

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    \$\begingroup\$ Try posting a picture in focus and state what the circuit board comes from. \$\endgroup\$
    – Andy aka
    Commented Nov 27, 2022 at 18:09
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Andyaka Hello Andy! The board measures torque and sends it over wireless (cycling cranks). \$\endgroup\$
    – rhy-ama
    Commented Nov 27, 2022 at 19:06
  • \$\begingroup\$ Can you get an in-focus version of the second picture? That one seems most useful for identifying what's going on with the circuit there. \$\endgroup\$
    – Hearth
    Commented Nov 27, 2022 at 19:13
  • \$\begingroup\$ From the fuzzy view it looks like a MELF package probably a diode. \$\endgroup\$
    – Gil
    Commented Nov 27, 2022 at 19:21
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Gil I would agree - MELF package of power switching diode (area of the circuit respondible for power-up with a LED near by - as well as capacitor and voltage regulator). But there are absolutely no marking to make out cathode end - so can not exclude capacitor in MELF package. \$\endgroup\$
    – rhy-ama
    Commented Nov 27, 2022 at 19:48

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
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Possible it's a MELF gas discharge tube, if the manufacturer was really worried about lighting etc. Eg. this typical one:

enter image description here

Based on comments and more details of the part and of the application, I suspect it's a MELF tilt detector similar to this type.

enter image description here

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Hello! I've attached the cross-section magnified view of the cut component. The circuit is 3V. The (outside) gray is plastic. \$\endgroup\$
    – rhy-ama
    Commented Nov 28, 2022 at 8:50
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    \$\begingroup\$ Inconclusive to me. But I wonder if it's a position sensor with a ball bearing shorting the pins. Does the PCB rotate? \$\endgroup\$
    – Spehro Pefhany
    Commented Nov 28, 2022 at 9:18
  • \$\begingroup\$ It does rotate but position pickup is from strain gauges. a position sensor would have three leads right? no ball bearings. \$\endgroup\$
    – rhy-ama
    Commented Nov 28, 2022 at 11:15
  • \$\begingroup\$ Not a precision sensor, or a strain gauge torque sensor. It could be something to cause the circuit to wake up when it notices that it is rotating. You have a better idea whether that's possible, knowing the functionality. \$\endgroup\$
    – Spehro Pefhany
    Commented Nov 28, 2022 at 12:14
  • \$\begingroup\$ I understand. Thank you for clarification. Would it have only 2 pins? \$\endgroup\$
    – rhy-ama
    Commented Nov 28, 2022 at 12:22

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