Ridiculously OTT construction - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2014, 10:58:59 am
content: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Test-Equipment-Normal-Invert-Clock-Data-5v-unknown-/321311818591?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item4acfad435fWonder what it originally cost to put a small board with 2 chips in this case with all the fancy wiring looms.

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2014, 11:05:21 am
content: Given most management is none technical (at least in my fields) when they're shown the above they "see" quality, product/idea sold.

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2014, 11:24:40 am
content: I do have to agree for how simple it is just looking at it gives the impression of quality,Individually tagged wire ends

author: dave_k
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2014, 11:36:12 am
content: c'mon Mike, that's not too OTT .. not when zip ties have been used instead of lacing cord!

author: 8086
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2014, 11:54:57 am
content: That actually looks pretty shoddy compared to the satellite equipment I assemble

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 02, 2014, 11:56:34 am
content: I've built a ton of stuff almost exactly like that.Very common for production test gear.Got to be rack mounted and mains powered even though you only need the aforementioned couple of chips in a box.So you end up with a small custom board, and an off-the-shelf mains module from Farnell/RS because that's just easier.The neat wiring looms are required because the powers-that-be sign off on the construction docs, so you gotta make it look neat and professional.And taking your time to do it nice and neat potentially means one less shit job to do, because "sorry, can't do, I haven't finished the production test jig yet".Probably cost $500 in parts + a weeks worth of time. Judging by the rust, it's not recent, so the PCB likely cost a few hundred alone.

author: notsob
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2014, 12:06:11 pm
content: And in days gone past, management/customers were always willing to pay more for something with flashing lights.

author: London Lad
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2014, 12:07:04 pm
content: What is it?

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2014, 02:02:52 pm
content: I think I see a pair of 74-series chips and transistors and some passives.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2014, 02:48:39 pm
content: I think the most expensive parts in that are the 5V 1000mA power supply, the ITT Cannon D connector and the case. Cadmuim plated steel says it is over 20 years old.Wiring is not neat enough, needs more cable ties, and needs spiral wrap as well, and NO CURVED WIRES. If being really anal I would suggest lacing twine and a single length per loom to have individual loops for each breakout.

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 02, 2014, 04:58:22 pm
content: would be interesting to know what it was originally used for

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2014, 05:04:03 pm
content: 2 BNC connectors, 37 pin D connector, single clock line and basic controls. Likely a clock distributor for test equipment from either a GPS or Rubidium standard. probably 10MHz.

author: electronics man
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2014, 09:26:27 pm
content: What is the piece of equipment

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2014, 10:01:45 pm
content: As an industrial electrician, I gotta say that's pretty standard, if anything a bit amateurish, and no I'm not kidding. The cable ties are to big, no cable tie anchors and the mains wiring is a dogs breakfast!

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2014, 03:15:16 am
content: Quote from: AlfBaz on February 02, 2014, 10:01:45 pmI agree-------,back in the day,the Boss,(Technical guy,too!) would look askance at that standard!I've never been all that good at neat wiring,but I try my best.---thank God for cable ties!The point is that it doesn't take much longer to form up wires correctly,than it does to use cruddy ribbon cable.

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2014, 03:36:01 am
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on February 03, 2014, 03:15:16 amYeah when I first started as an apprentice we were out on site wiring up these pesky boxes, only had enough ties for my box, the boss with me used some string, and laced his looms in half the time and a thing of beauty to look at. Now days if you don't have slotted duct, forget it. I miss the days when quality trumped cost any day of the week, twice on Sundays

author: mrflibble
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2014, 04:09:34 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on February 03, 2014, 03:29:05 amI was thinking the same thing.What can the average wiring n00b do to try and improve their project wiring? Any clever tricks for when you do have enough tie wraps, but don't have any cable tie anchors?

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2014, 06:16:24 am
content: At a guess he is referring to the ground stud part in the back corner, as that to me does look messy,

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2014, 09:28:10 am
content: Perhaps I was being overly colourful with my metaphorIt looks like the went to a lot of trouble to get the circuitry wiring neat and then gave up on the mains. Yeah that earth stud looks messy and what's with the huge earth wire going to the front panel? I know there are IP20 requirements when mains are present but throwing heatshrink over every thing just makes it difficult to fault find let alone inspect for hot or bad joints.As for as the not having tie anchor's, I'd do curved sweeping looms rather than setting them they way they did, with the straight lines and 90 degree bends. The big heads on the cable ties also make it look clumsy, especially if you where to compare it to a loom tied with smaller ones.In all it's much of a muchness as we are talking aesthetics and this will always be subjective. The problem is, when you constantly see quality wiring its hard not to notice something odd, even if you can't quite put your finger on it