Questions tagged [component-failure]
For questions about what causes components to fail, how to prevent component failure, and component failure modes (e.g. fail open or fail short).
84
questions
0
votes
0
answers
42
views
What is the failure rate for PV string blocking diodes?
PV generators do often contain low voltage bypass diodes at module level, and less frequent high voltage string blocking diodes. Example of such blocking diodes are the Ixys DNA30E2200P (VRRM = 2200V) ...
- 699
0
votes
1
answer
147
views
Performance changes to metal can transistors installed 40 years ago
What problems, if any, are to be expected when using 2N4037 metal can PNP transistors that were installed 40 years ago?
I can't divulge much about the design, but transistors are in a voltage ...
- 1,104
0
votes
1
answer
4k
views
MTBF / MTTF and parallel systems
I'm doing an MTBF calculation for a system. Basically I calculated or searched for the MTBFs / FITs of every component. Then added up the FITs and got the total MTBF.
My first question would be the ...
- 27
0
votes
1
answer
172
views
Can failure of an old electrolytic capacitor be precipitated by motion?
I have report of a circuit board failure. The board was 20+ years old, and included at least one electrolytic capacitor. That capacitor would then be beyond its expected useful life. The board was ...
- 17.6k
1
vote
2
answers
264
views
MCP16301 fail on power up - Vin shorted to Vout
I have designed a step-down converter PCB (4-layer) with MCP16301. It converts voltage from 24V to 5V.
When I connect it to power source and then connect a 100ohm resistor (50mA@5V) it works normally....
- 13
1
vote
1
answer
119
views
Why do power supplies fail? [closed]
I want to buy this power supply Here
It says that it can last from 5-8 years. It can last 5-8 years by using it constantly? Also why do they fail? What component inside them causes them to fail? Sorry ...
1
vote
0
answers
108
views
How could this capacitor have been damaged?
During testing, a capacitor was found to cause an intermittent failure - going short circuit when heated.
The capacitor style is a through hole, radial lead, CECC rated 68nF MLCC. Our supplier makes ...
- 1,108
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
Can a bulged capacitor prevent a CPU from booting? [closed]
I am trying to revive my old CPU. But it won't turn on. The fans don't turn ON, but they are working. PSU is also working. I have changed my CMOS battery.
I found that one of the capacitors has ...
- 485
2
votes
1
answer
122
views
Physics behind component failure
So I understand that high current through a conductor generates heat, and too high heat can melt things or cause components to fail. Short circuits are frequent causes of overcurrent, no?
...
- 55
14
votes
1
answer
12k
views
Why is my fluorescent tube orange on one side, white on the other and dark in the middle?
I have a ~60 cm fluorescent tube light that is failing. ~10 cm on one end glows orange, ~10 cm on the other end glows blue-white (normal fluorescent light color) and the middle 40 cm is dark.
...
- 3,439
0
votes
1
answer
80
views
Unidentified component on heating element
Clueless DIYer here, apologies in advance. I'm hoping someone can tell me (approximately, I don't need an exact part) what the circled component it is / what it's for, in order to help me diagnose ...
- 133
0
votes
3
answers
384
views
What could be the reason for chip capacitor failure due to silicone potting?
Is silicone potting of PCB board beneficial or risky?
What could be the best material for encapsulating a power supply board?
I used 2 part mixed silicone potting compound for encapsulating a ...
4
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What's causing my buck converter's switching node to oscillate only some of the time?
We got an order of 24 PCBs recently, and one of them doesn't work. I'm trying to track down the point of failure, and it seems to be our 3V regulator circuit:
At ~180ms intervals, the 3V output rail ...
- 22k
0
votes
1
answer
913
views
Will a start capacitor be damaged by an overloaded motor?
Background: A few days ago, the air conditioning unit at work began failing to start. Fans would turn, lights would be on, but no compressor start. I called a technician and he said the start ...
- 151
9
votes
2
answers
263
views
Failure of LEDs in the wet -- what's going on at the semiconductor level?
Recently I've come across two very different LEDs that have failed due to a soaking, but with interesting and almost identical failure behaviour. I'd like to understand what's going on inside.
Once ...
- 2,803