Gideon Analytical Laboratories received two failed terminal block electrical connectors from two different installation sites. These terminal connectors connect two or more wires to a single connection point, providing a convenient method of connecting electrical wiring without splicing or physically joining the ends. The two connectors were identical in construction, and both appeared burned out from overpower.
The connector was cross-sectioned and SEM-EDS analysis performed. The screws in the terminal block connector typically are tin plated copper clad iron.
Gideon Analytical Laboratories received to MR16 sockets for a comparison between the current model and a new candidate. The MR16s are a type of bi-pin lamp fitting. Bi-pin lamp fittings are for use in incandescent (especially halogen) and some fluorescent lights. Gideon Analytical Laboratories not only helps companies identify the causes of failures in the manufacturing process and the field but in this case, can help identify positives and negatives about a type of design or types of materials.
Gideon Analytical Labs received one SCR (silicon-controlled rectifier) module FP25001P1 for failure analysis.
An SCR consists of four layers of alternating p- and n-type semiconductor materials, NPNP or PNPN structures. The three P-N junctions are labeled J1, J2 and, J3, for the three terminals. Silicon is used as the intrinsic semiconductor, to which the proper dopants are added. The junctions are either diffused or alloyed (an alloy is a mixed semiconductor or a mixed metal).
