Category Archive: Terminals

Oct
29

Terminal strip on Type 531A Oscilloscope

Silver in solder migrates and causes arcs

That purple flash is a high-voltage arc between the terminals on the oscilloscope.  The silver in the silver-bearing solder migrates over time due to the high-voltage, and once it has migrated far enough, it forms a conductive bridge.  Credit: http://reboots.g-cipher.net