Gideon Analytical Laboratories received five 25 volts (v) 120 microfarad (μF) electrolytic capacitors that were failing in the field. A capacitor stores electrical energy. They have two terminals separated by some type of insulating material, known as a dielectric. Usually, these dialectics are metal plates and the dielectric is made of materials like ceramics, mylar, or glass. Electrolytic capacitors are a type of capacitor that uses an electrolyte as one of its plates to achieve a larger capacitance per unit volume.
Gideon Analytical Laboratories received several Synchronization Supply Units (SSU); the covers of the SSU had contamination on them. Synchronization Supply Units are important in modern digital telecommunications networks because components of the network need to be accurately synchronized. The SSU ensures reliable distribution of the time signal kept by a Primary Reference Clock (PRC). There were stains located near the Capacitor -input filters (Pi filters) on both sides of the cover of the SSU.
" Gideon Analytical Laboratories received four National Semiconductor LM5111-1M dual 5A compound gate drivers. A gate driver is a power amplifier that accepts low-power input from a controller integrated circuit and produces a high-current drive input for the gate of a high power transistor. These LM5111 Dual Gate drivers have high peak output current and efficiency. Each of the compound output driver stage includes MOS and bipolar transistors operating in parallel that together sink more than 5A peak from capacitive loads.
Gideon Analytical Laboratories received one MLCC (Multi-Layer Ceramic Capacitor) with a reported short. Ceramic capacitors are the most produced and used capacitors in electronic equipment. An MLCC consists of a number of individual capacitors stacked together in parallel and contacted via the terminal surfaces. Every MLCC basically consists of a ceramic dielectric, a metalized electrode, and connecting terminals. MLCCs can range in capacitance and voltage rating. Many times they serve to function as devices to reduce electrical noise and provide stability in an operating system.
Gideon Analytical Laboratories received several photodiodes to examine for possible contamination. A diode is a two-terminal electronic component with asymmetric conductance. It has low resistance to current flow in one direction, and high resistance in the other direction. There are various kinds of diodes, including vacuum tube diodes and solid state diodes. The most used and ubiquitous diode is the semiconductor. A photodiode is a type of device capable of converting light into either current or voltage.
Gideon Analytical Laboratories received three PTE43-31-C-RA power supplies, two were failed and the other was a working device for comparison. Power supplies are devices that supply electrical power to an electrical load. Some power supplies convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) for use in a variety of electronics. Typically, a computer needs a power supply that will convert 120 Volt AC power oscillating at 60 Hertz (Hz). Power supplies are vital to most electronic endeavors, like electrical components in machines, process automation, or for power generation.
Gideon Analytical Laboratories received several plated steel parts, including coupons, hinges, and shoulder nuts. The goal was to determine if these parts were RoHS compliant. RoHS is short for Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment; it was initially created by the European Union in February of 2003. To be RoHS compliant, devices have to be free from the following hazardous substances: Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Hexavalent chromium, Polybrominated biphenyls, and Polybrominated diphenyl ether.
Gideon Analytical Laboratories received two Spectrum Control Pi filters, a failed Pi filter, and a good Pi filter from the same vintage as the failed one, for comparison. Capacitor-input filters (also known as Pi filters) are a type of electronic filter used to remove unwanted frequencies from a signal. Pi filters are primarily constructed of two capacitors and an inductor and are used in situations where the ripple of a signal or the AC and DC currents within the signal are found to interfere with each other.
Gideon Analytical Laboratories received several failed and several good Shanghai Daido springs for evaluation. Shanghai Daido SP Co makes four types of springs: compression, heavy load, tension, and torsion. Gideon Analytical Laboratories was altered to possible contamination on the failed springs. The goal was to see why these springs were failing.
Failure analysis ensued. SEM-EDS analysis was first utilized to ascertain the elements present within the springs. Micrographs of the first spring pictured a low energy granular type structure with a shiny surface.
Gideon Analytical Laboratories received several Bourns Trimpot Trimming Potentiometers for failure analysis. A Potentiometer (known as a pot) is a three-terminal resistor with a sliding contact that forms an adjustable voltage divider. They are widely used for volume control in radio and television receivers. The Bourns Trimpot Trimming Potentiometer 3006P 203 has a standard resistance range of 10 to 5 megohms, the power rating of 400 volts maximum, and is ROHS compliant.
