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From: Cursitor Doom <cd@notformail.com>
Newsgroups: sci.electronics.design,sci.electronics.repair
Subject: Re: Favourite Test Equipment
Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2024 18:42:22 +0100
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On Wed, 10 Apr 2024 11:40:02 +1000, Trevor Wilson
<trevor@rageaudio.com.au> wrote:

>On 1/04/2024 4:41 am, Cursitor Doom wrote:
>> Hi all,
>> 
>> I'm starting to get a bit fed up with having my test equipment blow up
>> just when it's needed. This is the drawback with vintage gear; if it's
>> not used frequently then it can go *bang* the next time you switch it
>> on. It makes for good practice in repairing stuff, but wastes a lot of
>> time which could be better spent doing other things.
>> I think it's time I modernised my test gear. I was just wondering if
>> anyone has any recommendations they can share. Is there a particular
>> piece of test equipment you couldn't live without? Something you're
>> particularly impressed with? I'd be interested to know so I can
>> perhaps acquire said item and thereby reduce the number of explosions
>> I experience.
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> 
>> CD.
>
>**In my 55 years of servicing, I've only blown up one thing: A Micronta 
>DMM, which I connected to a laser power supply. I should not have done 
>it. Clear operator failure. Everything else works just fine. Even my 
>first multimeter. A Sanwa U-50D my dad gave me on my 14th birthday. 
>Still works fine. My first DMM. A cheap 'n cheerful SOAR. Works just 
>fine. My first Fluke meter. A 40 year old Fluke 85. Works fine. I've had 
>to clean the switch a few times. Otherwise, no problems. Ditto my other 
>15 or so meters. Same deal with my 'scopes.
>
>I don't know what your problem is. Test equipment, when treated properly 
>lasts a long time.

To be fair, these "explosions" are typically capacitors: old, dried
-out electrolytics in test gear that hasn't been used in a long time
go bang when the power's switched on - as do old X2 safety caps. Those
are the chief culprits IME.