Gideon Analytical Laboratories received three 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 four electronic transformers, some of which were failing. Three transformers produced no output and the fourth was tested using an oscilloscope and found to function. Transformers are electrical devices typically used to transfer energy between two or more circuits using electromagnetic induction. Electromagnetic induction is the production of an electromotive force across a conductor when it is exposed to a varying magnetic field. Using Faraday’s Law with high magnetic permeability core properties, transformers can efficiently change AC voltages from one voltage level to another within a given power network.
Gideon Analytical Laboratories received several electronic metal-halide (MH) ballast black semiconductor diode, but it also permits current to flow in the reverse direction when its “Zener voltage” is reached. The goal was to expose the circuitry and reverse engineer the cause of failure of the three components that were failing at a high rate.
Failure analysis ensued. First, the zener diodes and fuses were exposed and potting material removed so that the circuitry was revealed.
The Lambda KPSA10-15 is a self-contained, offline power supply capable of supply 15Volts DC at 1 Ampere from a universal input of 120VAC ~ 240VAC, 50/60Hz. It is designed for PCB mounting as a module and is passively cooled. Several of these power supplies failed in the field in 2-2.5 years. There was no sign of damage or environmental contamination on the PCB. All arrived DOA. The component selection was mediocre except for the electrolytic capacitors, which were chosen wisely.
Gideon Analytical Laboratories received two transformers from the same manufacturing vintage; one was failed and the other was unused. The transformer is an E-I configuration with a 120v input and 13.45 V output on the secondary. A transformer is an electrical device that transfers electrical energy between two or more circuits through electromagnetic induction. Electromagnetic induction produces an electromotive force within a conductor which is exposed to time-varying magnetic fields. Transformers are used to increase or decrease the alternating voltages in electric power applications.
The RS2042 is a low startup current, current mode PWM controller with Green-Power & burst-mode power-saving operation. It has integrated functions such as the leading-edge blanking of the current sensing, internal slope compensation, low external component counts, and easily fits in with AC/DC power applications. The Green-Power function provides off-time modulation to linearly decrease the switching frequency under light-load conditions. And under zero-load conditions, the power supply enters burst-mode to further reduce power consumption by shutting off PWM output.
Gideon Analytical Laboratories received several lighting switches that were found to remain open even while the switch was closed. A light switch is most commonly used to operate electric lights, permanently connected equipment, or electrical outlets. Portable lamps such as table lamps will have a light switch mounted on the socket, base, or in-line with the cord. Manually operated on/off switches may be substituted by remote control switches, or light dimmers that allow controlling the brightness of lamps as well as turning them on or off.
Gideon Analytical Laboratories received several ball grid arrays (BGAs) to specifically look for any shorts, opens, cracks, or contamination issues that were preventing its operation. Radiography analysis was requested.
A BGA is a type of surface-mount packaging (a chip carrier) used for integrated circuits. They come in two basic types: plastic ball grid arrays (PBGAs) and ceramic ball grid arrays (CBGAs). BGA packages are used to permanently mount devices such as microprocessors.
Gideon Analytical Laboratories received four Printed Circuit Boards which had either opens or intermittent behavior on some of the P1 connector pins. A Printed Circuit Board (PCB)mechanically supports and electrically connects electronic components using conductive tracks, pads and other features etched from copper sheets laminated onto a non-conductive substrate. PCBs can be single sided,double sided,or multi-layered. An open circuit is an incomplete electrical circuit in which no current flows. Gideon Analytical Laboratories was asked specifically if the soldering on the PCBs was problematic.
