Re:Capacitor plague
by revelation on Friday May 17, 2013 @07:10PM
(#5727151)
This seems to refer to a specific "bug", a bad electrolyte, but doesn't this eventually happen to all electrolytic capacitors?
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It would be nice if the article included a comparison of the expected and actual lifespan of the capacitors...oh wait it does:
"Many of the capacitors had a life span specification (load life) of 2000 hours at 105°C. With a lower average internal temperature of 45°C on a printed circuit board and a ripple current within the data sheet specifications, these capacitors should have a life expectancy of about 18 years of continuous operation. With respect to this life span expectation, a failure after 1.5 to 2 years is very premature."
Many of us have electronic devices from the 1980's and early 90's that haven't failed.
Until Congress sold the television spectrum and the FCC ordered broadcasting to cease, many of us still had non-HD TVs.
Until Congress sold the television spectrum and the FCC ordered broadcasting to cease, many of us still had non-HD TVs.
Um, I still have mine.
I only use it so that the kids can watch DVDs. There is still a good enough selection of DVDs available. I'll upgrade when it breaks and is irreparable. But not until.
Even well made electrolytic caps are often the shortest lifespan components in a design, so yes, they are still a problem. But this was also a poorly chosen electrolyte.
Re:Capacitor plague
by sliverstorm on Friday May 17, 2013 @07:32PM
(#5727226)
The "bug" is the accelerated rate at which it failed, not that it failed.
Re:Capacitor plague
by fnordfnordfnord on Friday May 17, 2013 @09:01PM
(#5727490)
Yes.