What's this component? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2025, 10:45:33 pm
content: If you have encountered one of these before or have seen it at The Other Plaice, can I suggestnotrevealing what it is for a few days. That will enable other people to have their flabber ghasted. In a few days I will do a reverse striptease to reveal what it is, in all its horror.Source: a tier one manufacturer, to be revealed later.As you can see, there are three pieces of bent metal soldered into the PCB. The pieces are sufficiently substantial that my Metcal with a chunky tip won't even touch them.In the first picture there is a tapped hole. The corresponding bolt is the sole way the PCB and front panel are held in place in the case.

author: Andy Watson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2025, 11:09:34 pm
content: Never seen anything like that before. But if it's what I think it is ... urgggg! Nasty!

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2025, 11:30:27 pm
content: Quote from: Andy Watson on May 30, 2025, 11:09:34 pmNeither had I, it probably is, and just so.Half of me thinks "that's a neat example of appropriate minimal engineering". Then I remember a UK personality (C---e S------r) who was infamous for making things too cheaply so that they just worked, most of the time. That brings me back down to Planet Earth with a bump

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2025, 11:45:09 pm
content: Borrowing from another venue, a banana for scale would help.This looks familiar, I have seen something very like this before, but can't place it.Some of the features are intriguing. What appears to be flashing implies that it is a cast or molded part, but the surface finish, the apparent solder connection and the "insulator" makes it seem small enough for that to be an unlikely manufacturing process.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2025, 12:06:21 am
content: Quote from: CatalinaWOW on May 30, 2025, 11:45:09 pmYes, it wouldQuoteUnlucky: you have seen it before. Lucky: you can't remember any more. You chooseQuoteI think the metal parts are probably cast, machined, plated. A tier one manufacturer would have no problem with those processes.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2025, 12:06:56 am
content: I’ve never seen it before, but I’m guessing maybe part of a mains inlet of some sort? As seen from the side, the center object sticks out farther, which would be consistent with a make-first/break-last ground pin.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2025, 12:08:00 am
content: Quote from: tooki on May 31, 2025, 12:06:56 amDoesn't really fit with all the other bits you can see, does it.

author: Andy Watson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2025, 12:09:18 am
content: Quote from: CatalinaWOW on May 30, 2025, 11:45:09 pmYes, I thought that. But once you realise what it is, there's plenty of clues there.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2025, 12:21:44 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on May 31, 2025, 12:08:00 amI can’t see any other bits in the pictures. I don’t have the board in front of me like you do.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2025, 12:25:19 am
content: Quote from: tooki on May 31, 2025, 12:21:44 amThe textured grey-blue bent/folded bit.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2025, 12:31:22 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on May 31, 2025, 12:25:19 amSince paper-like materials can be made of fine or coarse fibers, that’s not a strong indication of scale.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2025, 12:43:17 am
content: I'll throw in a diverting red herring...It is well known that I hate one type of component in particular. This piece of equipment uses one for a matched set of resistors. Seriously.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2025, 12:45:12 am
content: Quote from: tooki on May 31, 2025, 12:31:22 amCorrect. I wasn't thinking of using it to assess the scale.

author: Xena E
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2025, 01:12:12 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on May 30, 2025, 11:30:27 pmHey! the guy made pukka gear guvnor!At least one known functional example of the Micro FM is known to exist.And the quality of the front panel controls of the stereo 60 preamp are so sweet... check it out!It's popular with collectors, crap is the new chique.X

author: Haenk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2025, 06:29:32 am
content: My guess: It's a mains plug (IEC C13?) receiving part (Though there were similar looking plugs in the past, might not be a C13). Maybe on the back of an old radio or so. Note the screwhole, so it it is likely covered with a piece of hardboard, wood or plastic.

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2025, 08:48:15 am
content: Quote from: Haenk on May 31, 2025, 06:29:32 amYou're getting warmer, as a further clue, it's not in a radio, but inactualTE

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2025, 09:30:35 am
content: Quote from: AVGresponding on May 31, 2025, 08:48:15 amYup, professional TE made by averyfamiliar manufacturer.The screwhole is covered by the plastic case, as per "The corresponding bolt is the sole way the PCB and front panel are held in place in the case."

author: WattsThat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2025, 01:14:44 pm
content: I cannot name the specific gear but it looks like an over engineered power inlet assembly with the threaded hole probably serving to ground something metallic, not hold the cord in place.The folded fish paper and tooling required to make the parts looks like something Bill and Dave people would have done as a cost savings measure sometime in the 1975-85 time frame, during their peak of vertical integration manufacturing.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2025, 01:26:58 pm
content: Quote from: WattsThat on May 31, 2025, 01:14:44 pmThe threaded hole allows a bolt to secure the PCB (and front panel) to the plastic caseI hope and expect Bill and Dave would never have allowed such an abortion to be produced.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2025, 08:04:25 am
content: If striptease is where flimsy items are slipped off the skin and bones, then this must be reverse striptease.When the PCB falls, literally, out of the case, this blue bit of plastic literally falls off the metal. The only force required is gravity.It is the same colour as the case, so you may be able to guess the manufacturer. Or not.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2025, 09:18:02 am
content: I don't like seeing that material outside of a transformer

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2025, 09:54:29 pm
content: Quote from: coppercone2 on June 01, 2025, 09:18:02 amQuite.Here's another thing I don't like seeing under any circumstances: a solderless breadboard. But containingmatched resistorsin production equipment takes it to another level of <expletive deleted>, FFS.Guess what: the accuracy improved significantly after I moved the resistors' leads up and down in the socket. Only eternal optimists will be surprised by that!

author: Xena E
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 12:42:33 am
content: Oh I got it.Or should I say I got one.X

author: VK2AZT
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 01:17:52 am
content: Old Tektronix TE used that color plastic.

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 05:18:09 am
content: Quote from: Xena E on June 02, 2025, 12:42:33 amCongratulations. And commisserations!

author: Xena E
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 06:54:46 am
content: Quote from: AVGresponding on June 02, 2025, 05:18:09 amThanks!🙂I was given it.🙁It's in a damp box somewhere, perhaps I can forget it again.😒X

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 07:09:46 am
content: Quote from: Xena E on June 02, 2025, 12:42:33 amUnlucky youMind you, after fettling with the solderless breadboard to resistor connections, mine is back in spec.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 07:11:57 am
content: Quote from: VK2AZT on June 02, 2025, 01:17:52 amThey did, but no.This manufacturer uses a different colour, apparently trademarked and enforced.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 07:22:16 am
content: Here's the next reverse striptease showing the "skirt" that falls off from a more useful angle.And how it is (mis)used in practice.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 07:32:12 am
content: Quote from: Simmed on June 02, 2025, 01:23:46 amYes, but that one is.... nice.So, which tier one manufacturer perpetrated this monstrosity? Answer later.

author: VK2AZT
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 08:33:57 am
content: Fluke Instruments.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 08:56:44 am
content: Quote from: VK2AZT on June 02, 2025, 08:33:57 amI was hoping it would be more than 61 minutes

author: pcprogrammer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 09:38:25 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on June 02, 2025, 07:22:16 amOooo, you voided the warranty.No idea about who made it though until VK2AZT seemed to spill the beans.

author: Xena E
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 09:58:54 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on June 02, 2025, 07:09:46 amActually started with that and had to replace with some turned pin connectors, there was also a psu prob., intermittent switches, and the er, ribbon/PCB that connects the display to the motherboard is cracked.Maybe one day...If it had a VF or Nixie display to make it interesting I might be a little more enthusiastic.X

author: Xena E
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 10:12:16 am
content: There's a teardown and repair video link for a slightly newer one of it's kind if/when tggzzzz has finished with his reveal.X

author: squadchannel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 10:26:33 am
content: Google Lens has got the answer.Fluke 8000A

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 10:28:58 am
content: Quote from: Xena E on June 02, 2025, 09:58:54 amYeah; there are some other less than complementary comments about those points at The Other Plaicehttps://teanonymous.com/f1/viewtopic.php?t=397

author: Xena E
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 12:42:05 pm
content: Quote from: squadchannel on June 02, 2025, 10:26:33 amsneaky

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 01:35:33 pm
content: Quote from: pcprogrammer on June 02, 2025, 09:38:25 amMRDA, although I'm no Lord Astor

author: pcprogrammer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 04:38:49 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on May 31, 2025, 12:08:00 amThis threw me off, but tooki was right with it being a mains inlet, and that was my first thought also.A bit of a precursor to the nice one Simmed posted.Quote from: Simmed on June 02, 2025, 01:23:46 am

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 04:56:04 pm
content: Quote from: Xena E on June 02, 2025, 09:58:54 amYeah it's pretty much the ugly child you hide in the cupboard when you have visitors... now if it was an 8125A, that would be different!Papa Smurf (med6753) has modded his with simple linear regs and a better trafo, and claims much better accuracy and stability. I believe he has posted this mod on the forum somewhere

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 05:30:50 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on June 02, 2025, 07:22:16 amSo why did you imply that my 100% dead-on correct first guess wasnotcorrect?When someone makes a guess, and the quizzer responds with additional clues/suggestions, that is part of the “was the answer correct? -> no” path of the flowchart.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2025, 05:52:37 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on June 02, 2025, 05:30:50 pmThis may be a foreign language issue.I neither stated nor even implied your suggestion was incorrect; I simply avoided addressing that point. I merely stated that "Doesn't really fit with all the other bits you can see, does it.", and clarified the "it" with "The textured grey-blue bent/folded bit." IMNSHO that is correct: the design is surprisingly vile.I will freely admit that it wasmisdirectionof the kind magicians use as they entertain the people around them.You are free to feel superior and/or cheated. If the latter, please send me your receipt and I will refund the monies you paid.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 06:42:23 am
content: I have the seven segment displays and battery check dial indicator + switch + light bulb (power supply circuit) from mine. Highest quality components in there. And a resistor.I never forgot how I felt when I saw a light bulb in the circuit card lolI think the way they got it through the approval process is by showing that silver flex PCB in there. Blinded them. It has that much shiny in there, it must be high quality. Rare to see mirrors in test equipment. Cheap tin mirrors but still, it stands out.I think its one of the worst TE I took apart (other then chemistry lab tools) and it could be something that makes someone drop out of a EE program after dumpster diving. That thing just LOOKS like pure capitalism. And its one of the worst feeling enclosure I ever saw. When you see someone throw that thing out you think "so that's what yearly lab budgets are for".And it could kill someone off the hobby if they think its a representation of what equipment is like, and what its like to try to repair equipment.I thought it was the coolest form factor for equipment, because of how tactical it looked from 10 feet away. At first you think "oh, so that is what they use when special forces have to setup a communications station in a jungle camp".I see a youtube reviewer was in awe of some kind of simplicity they saw in it. Reminded me of Picard's lines in TNG "Booby Trap". And it does the same thing when you try to fix it, you realize that you expended 10 feet of solder wick, you are knee deep in confusion, have no energy left and its still having random malfunctions.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 07:22:21 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on June 02, 2025, 05:52:37 pmEnglish is my native language.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 11:27:59 am
content: Until I met this thing, I had a very high regard for Fluke equipment: it seemed bulletproof:the 8125 probably was, even though the displays are nixies:. It has a large gap between the case and the internal meter, suitable for kicking by squaddies and probably airdrops. In spec after renovationthe 25 can be operated in explosive atmospheres, and I've seen videos of he-who-must-not-be-named using it to hammer in a wood dowel. Every one in spec from the start; they are my go-to handheld DMMthe 8300 with 6 nixies is in specthe 893 "D"VMs were in spec, and are my only 1kV meter with infinite input resistanceAnd then there's the 8000, in all its.... glory.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 11:46:18 am
content: Quote from: coppercone2 on June 03, 2025, 06:42:23 amMine doesn't have the battery, so I missed the experience of turning it on and seeing a lighthouse like thisfrom my teardown of a far more interesting Fluke 8125https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/fluke-8125a-military-dmm-teardown/msg2540730/#msg2540730QuoteChinese proverb: nails that stand out get hammered down. Widlarising apply hereQuoteSnort! I'll remember that snarkQuoteI like solder suckers with flexible silicone tips: they save wasting a lot of solder wick!That reviewer has no taste

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 08:45:56 pm
content: It does not always work when 4x C or was it D cells leak out on the PCB and get into the switches and contacts and solder joints. The solder does not behave nicely anymore, you might need to add excess , remove, add excess and remove etc. The solder sucker works OK on clean solder joints. I think its 6V or 4.5V NiCADs made from C or D cells for the battery system.I noticed that if you are going back more then 20 years the solder sucker can sometimes basically not work. And if you try it with pace vac, you will be constantly unclogging the tip for some reason (and you will get a lump that forms right behind the tip instead of it being sucked down into the chamber). dipping a wick in RA flux does work mostly, but it seems to lose its wicking power VERRY quickly requiring frequent trimming and re-dipping. I notice on this nasty stuff it wicks up like 1cm, with nice solder it will wick up like 2 inchesit's so annoying. I stopped even trying without ultrasonic cleaning first on some of this stuffthe #1 thing that helps is to put alot of RMA or RA flux on the bad joint and like reflow it for a while under a layer of flux (massive cleanup required). This is the one thing that seems to let you clean up battery damage contacts, but its not great for switches either because of the plastic. if it stays liquid under the flux for long enough it sorts it out. Then maybe you can use the solderp ult. And this method causes the traces to lift on dodgy old boardsI never was brave enough to soak PCB in vinegar, perhaps it would work too.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2025, 09:03:02 pm
content: and with any brand I mean I feel like its a car with 15 people on the wheel once in a while some body that you don't want takes control of a project. There is so many things that they can say to get someone to 'try' these techniques that decrease quality substantially. If you have a consistent record of success and quality they will just say that its not efficient and people are not trying to make money, are playing it too safe and this and that and some of it might get through and ruin a projectI just imagine the old saloon demographic, how many people will just get mad if you don't let them gamble...? Eventually someone will try and the well respected town doctor is going to lose some money to a group of swindlers that managed to egg him on into playing poker and end up passed out in the trough with a saloon girl lol