[wplug] [OT] In full humility -- WAS: What to do with a flaky machine

[Bryan J. Smith]

"Bryan J. Smith" <b.j.smith at ieee.org> wrote:
> <rant>
> Maybe it's because I'm an EE (and went to a college, like many
> including the local, that force some basic microelectronics, not
> just digital or basic controls, but real microelectronics, on
> their CS majors -- whereas 75% of CS colleges and over 95% of IT
> programs do not), I would love to force IT people to attend a
> basic electronics technology seminar on elementary concepts,
> issues with transients, unnoticed loads (especially on grounds),
> etc... </rant>
> And I don't even consider myself a "practice" electrical
> technologist myself.

Although, in full humility, I have to admit, just last night, I
managed to "smoke test" a voltage regulator on a prototype board. 
How?  I plugged in 12VDC, when the board called for 5VDC.  ;)

Absentmindedness got the best of me.  I had literally verified and
just tested a 5VDC adapter on the board, as I had to locate one.  But
no less than 15 minutes later, after moving the hardware, did I not
stop to think before plugging in 12VDC.

Luckily the voltage regulator took the brunt and I turned it off
within seconds.  I don't expect things to last, but I don't need them
to last, just fork for awhile.  ;)



-- 
Bryan J. Smith   Professional, Technical Annoyance
b.j.smith at ieee.org    http://thebs413.blogspot.com
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     Fission Power:  An Inconvenient Solution