What is the Magic Blue Smoke? It is a running joke amongst engineers stating that electronics are manufactured with a certain quantity of magic blue smoke and it is this smoke that makes electronics work. This is supported by the fact that when the smoke is released, the part no longer works.
If you have a picture you would like to share of electronics giving up the blue smoke, send it along with a description of how it happened to magicbluesmoke@yahoo.com.
FANUC power supply dies
Don’t have much more detail on this one, but it’s a FANUC power supply unit that has failed. FANUC stands for Fuji Automatic Numerical Control. Credit: Sculptor.
Failed transformer
This transformer died leaving a horrible smell behind. Fortunately the bulb is still relatively unscathed with just an oddly colored spot. Credit: Justin B.
2n3904 transitor from class project
A nice picture of a 2n3904 transistor used in a class project power supply that was destroyed along with other components not shown after a probable short. Credit: Lucas T.
Maxtor 6V250F0 shown with blown diode
Maxtor 6V250F0 closeup of diode
These pictures are of a Maxtor model 6V250F0 250GB 7200RPM hard drive. The owner noticed a burning smell from the drive after which it was unplugged. Upon being powered up, the diode was destroyed. A similar diode was removed from a Samsung model SP1614C 160GB hard drive and soldered onto this board to successfully repair it. Credit: THE_GFR
Top of board showing destroyed SMD capacitors and inductors
Closeup of SMD parts
Bottom of board showing cracked IC
Closeup of burned IC
This started as a burning smell and extreme heat coming from the DVD drive, and ended up with what you see above. The PC power supply that powered the computer this drive was in failed some months after. Credit: stsm.