Be aware of connector mating-cycle limits
It’s easy to overlook vendor-specified mating cycle numbers for connectors and thus encounter problems over time. No, this title isn’t some kind of joke about how your connectors, if left alone at...
View ArticleFAQ on Hot Swap: from “don’t dare do it” to “it’s now OK to do” part 1
It wasn’t that long ago that one of the strict rules when assembling a system or debugging it was simple: don’t plug or unplug anything — component, cable, board — with the power on. You were firmly...
View ArticleFAQ on Hot Swap: from “don’t dare do it” to “it’s now OK to do” part 2
Designing a hot-swap controller is not trivial, as there are many conditions that must be acknowledged and addressed. The problem is aggravated by the increasing power and current levels of many of...
View ArticleFAQ on Hot Swap: from “don’t dare do it” to “it’s now OK to do” part 3
Hot-swapping is now a standard feature for many plug-in boards; implementing it requires understanding power-management circuits and components. There is always more that can be added to ensure proper...
View ArticleMy odd affinity for heat sinks
Heat-sink devices and technology have many aspects, but I am hooked on basic models of varying sizes and fabrication technologies. I’ve always been fascinated by heat sinks, ever since I began “messing...
View Article