In-rush resistor failed

[Phil Allison]

"RMD"

** WW resistors are the most common used for inrush surge limiting
- they usually fail instantly and with no visible sign.


I'd have to say that I've had various electrical things failing on me
for nearly 50 odd years.

Usually the worst I've seen is a dark brown smell, or maybe a burn
mark, but mostly things just fail silently and with no obvious damage.

** Wish I could say the same.

Burning resistors are a real hazard, they can easily set PCB material alight
and that means black soot all over the inside of things. Carbon soot is
highly corrosive and takes the plating of the chassis and any metal parts it
touches.

Another real nasty is when a big electro decides to bleed its juice all over
the PCB. That stuff is corrosive and conductive enough to start a fire if
enough energy is available.

Then there are items that have had drinks ( beer, OJ or Coke etc) spilt over
them - I even saw one case where someone had puked on the front of a Disco
mixer. It stank.


.... Phil