Help identifying a vintage component [SOLVED] - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: ramenbytes
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2022, 11:19:44 pm
content: Hello!I picked up a bunch of used components on the cheap (less than $1), and included in the lot was a jar of ones that look like the pictures attached. I suspect they're inductors since I can read a minor DC resistance across them but capacitance measurements fail, though I haven't hooked it up to my scope and signal generator yet to verify. I was wondering if if anyone can verify, but more importantly provide some background info on them and maybe point me to where I can find out more about these types of inductors(?) and what Ishouldn'tuse them for. Though I suppose the magic smoke will answer that last question. I've tried some web searches for "flat package inductors", "vintage flat inductors", and other similar strings, as well as searched this forum, but without much luck so far. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough.Thanks,ramenbytes

author: TheNewLab
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2022, 01:13:56 am
content: hmmm. seen those, must be really old. Only thing I can say is dump it. If you need to replace something with it. scope or LCR Appears like your are mostly just curious. IF that, then just explore with all your tools at hand.Maybe open it up after experimenting and share with us what's inside!

author: ramenbytes
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2022, 01:42:06 am
content: Yeah, mostly just curious, and wondering if/how I can use it in projects for learning purposes. You recommend dumping it, is that 'cause it can't be expected to be in-spec or reliable given the age?Did some investigating with would be a RL high-pass filter if it's an inductor, scoped it, and it sure does seem to behave like one. Unfortunately my signal generator doesn't have the bandwidth to reach the -3dB point, but I should be able to back the inductor value out from the measurements I took at the -38dB point*. Below is a scope shot of that, bottom channel is the voltage across the apparent inductor, top channel is the 2Vpp, 5MHz sine being fed in. I'll have to slice it open later on another break.*yeah, it does have color bands but I'm assuming it doesn't match those any more.

author: TheNewLab
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2022, 02:54:54 am
content: I said just "dump it" because it's so old, you'll not find the specs. That said, if you can measure it and for non-critical, more like not critical at all then A-OK. For frequency, yeah, you'll will need to test measure it, or sub it somewhere else. not the best way.Personally, I would like to see inside. What potting material, how would, and test the inductor by itself. That's me, I love to explore stuff like that.Plusselfishly, I would like to see pics or a vid of destruction to see the innards!

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2022, 08:37:22 am
content: Form your op it sounds as if you have a jar of them. In that case it is definitely worth sacrificing one of them to semi controlled disassembly to gain as much information as possible. For instance, it would be good to know whether the core is ordinary ferrite (gapped?) or some exotic laminated material. The wire diameter for current capability, any hidden passives in there, etc.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2022, 09:02:21 am
content: pulse transformer for SCR /triac firingJon

author: EPAIII
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2022, 09:04:29 am
content: Years ago I purchased some Radio Shack coil assortments. About half the coils in them looked exactly like that. I believe they were inexpensive parts, probably from Japan or China orfor the imported TVs and radios of the day.Unlike capacitors or even resistors, coils do not seem to have a problem with age. Back then I tested the coils in those assortments with an Ohm meter and with a sweep generator plus a known capacitor to make a resonate circuit and all of them were within tolerance (20%?). I have used a few in my "project circuits" and they worked OK. I still have a plastic drawer full.Today I would just put them on one of my inexpensive component testers to check them.One of these:https://www.ebay.com/itm/193219020056?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A10iyrac6WQ1GwXth6FnbMhA94&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-213727-13078-0&mkcid=2&itemid=193219020056&targetid=4580702891777578&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=418640321&mkgroupid=1233652283797640&rlsatarget=pla-4580702891777578&abcId=9300602&merchantid=51291&msclkid=42af89b20f531f75f888eaff07ffb063

author: ramenbytes
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2022, 07:57:12 am
content: Been a while, but I'm back with the goods. Disassembly didn't go great, but it wasn't horrible either. Pics attached to this and the next message.Quote from: TheNewLab on October 17, 2022, 02:54:54 am@TheNewLab if you'd like to spend more time tearing these critters down and documenting it to share with the rest of us, I can send you a few for free if postage is only a few stamps, otherwise I'll send 'em for the cost of postage/shipping. I can't imagine it being much though.

author: ramenbytes
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2022, 07:58:18 am
content: The rest of the pictures.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2022, 09:34:01 am
content: From the shape, I was expecting to see signs of a ferrite or other magnetic material in your photos. I can't see any though, so it looks like a nicely packaged straightforward air-cored inductor.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 29, 2022, 10:12:51 am
content: Looks like air core inductor attached to a flat carrier. I think it makes sense as inductor itself doesn't need to have any structural strength. And wires can be wound around terminals on top side of the carrier, and then soldered.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 29, 2022, 10:31:28 am
content: Should be something like this. Terminals simply clip into the frame.