Magic Blue Smoke

Vaporized pin on FAN3227

MagicBlueSmoke — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 01:13:53 +0000

FAN3227

The output and ground were shorted on this FAN3227 FET driver chip which caused the supply pin to vaporize. The application was a motor controller.

Credit: TekniQue on EFnet

Infrant/Netgear ReadyNAS NV+ PSU fails

MagicBlueSmoke — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:47:10 +0000

Top of PSU - the insulation on the inductor is not paper

Bottom of PSU

This is a PSU from a Infrant/Netgear ReadyNAS NV+ system. The PSU likely failed because of design problems instead of faulty components; the failure seems to be a common event on certain manufacturing batches.

Notable features on upper picture: 3 bulged capacitors, 1 inductor with burned insulation. Notable features on lower picture: signs of overheating, jumper wire in solder.

Credit: Swish from EFnet.

FANUC power supply unit fails

MagicBlueSmoke — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 01:54:07 +0000

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.

Fluorescent light transformer fails

MagicBlueSmoke — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 04:50:53 +0000

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 transistor from class project power supply

MagicBlueSmoke — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:37:10 +0000

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.