Re: Unexpected reboot problem - Possible sollution -

From: George Macdonald (fammacd=!SPAM^nothanks_at_tellurian.com)
Date: 03/04/04

  • Next message: George Macdonald: "Re: Unexpected reboot problem - Possible sollution -" 
    Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 19:52:36 -0500

    On Tue, 2 Mar 2004 16:38:34 -0600, "Bill Wolff"
    <wolffsoftnospam@nospamnetzero.net> wrote:

    >
    >Sounds like we are talking about electrolytic capacitors! Well I
    >have news for you! These electrolytic capacitors has been this way
    >long before computers ever came about.
    >
    >As they are one of the most expensive capacitors one can buy
    >(although they can store huge amounts is what makes their cost
    >reasonable). And age really effects them greatly. As I seem to
    >recall from my engineering experience that they are generally good
    >for about 5 to 10 years and they evidently dry out and become
    >worthless. If you fire one up when they are bone dry (or near), they
    >can indeed explode!
    >
    >I don't know anything about cheap vs. high quality electrolytic
    >capacitors, but I do know there isn't one on the market that can
    >last forever. As they all die in a matter of time. It is just their
    >nature and current technology can't change this. And currently, I
    >don't know what we can replace them with that would be cost
    >effective. Although some electrolytic capacitors can indeed last far
    >longer than 10 years. Although the following may explain this.
    >
    >Now I do know that sometimes that engineers will push the voltage to
    >the limit. As electrolytic capacitors have a voltage limit which is
    >declared on the electrolytic capacitor. Pass this limit and the
    >capacitor will have a short life! Maybe this is what is happening.
    >As the higher voltage they are capable of, increases the cost of
    >them tremendously (and thus why they are costly).
    >
    >Well this is just my 2 cents on the matter.

    This is a specific problem related to industrial espionage, theft of trade
    secrets and bypassing patents etc. Here's the IEEE's take on it:
    http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/WEBONLY/resource/feb03/ncap.html

    Rgds, George Macdonald

    "Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??

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