Learning from other's mistakes

Thumbnail changed from "dead" to "fried" to respect the passing of Her Majesty the Queen.
It may take a while to go through the system as it was released before the news.

This unit has a very perplexing design. It seems like the designer copied many protective elements from other designs, but then failed to apply the same concept to their own output.

The PTC self-resetting overcurrent thermistor and clamp diode approach is common on better designed DMX devices, as it protects the data inputs from rogue voltages. The same sort of rogue voltage that might occur from a logic level data output that is in the direct vicinity of much higher voltage pads. All it took was someone accidentally bridging two pads with a whisker of wire or solder, to completely destroy the unit instantly. Specifically destroying a custom programmed microcontroller with no easy replacement.

Inputs and outputs that interface with the real world should be protected from rogue external voltages. Even a simple resistor on the output of this unit could have limited fault current to a level where the output circuitry was protected.

Supporting the channel with a dollar or two on Patreon helps keep it independent of YouTube's quirks, avoids intrusive mid-video adverts, gives early access, bonus footage and regular quiet Patreon live streams.

https://www.patreon.com/bigclive

#ElectronicsCreators