The transformer leads apparently arced over. The owner describes the part as having died with a drawn out crackle and a smell of burning PCB. Credit: Asheem Linaval from CA, USA
Transformer on LCD backlight inverter from a Compaq Armada E500
October 29th, 2009Terminal strip on Type 531A Oscilloscope
October 29th, 2009
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
Welcome to where the magic blue smoke is remembered
October 29th, 2009What 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.