Re: Use of Tantulums - DRSSTCs

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Peter Terren" <pterren1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>

I once paid about AUD$1000 for 2 service techs to drive 300K and spend a 
day dismantling a colour doppler echocardiograph machine of mine.  Out of 
all the 50 or so boards they tracked down the fault by the 'follow the 
trail of smoke test' to a faulty tantalum.  They got a new one for less 
than $1. They did not have nice things to say about Tantalums in aging 
equipment as it is a common problem apparently.
The Echo machine cost $AUD 250,000 10 years before I inherited it.  It 
weighs 300kg, has 15 cooling fans and a 1400W power supply.  Of course the 
current model is hand luggage suitcase size, far more advanced but still 
costs $100,000.
Peter

Subject: RE: Use of Tantulums - DRSSTCs
> Original poster: "McCauley, Daniel H" <daniel.h.mccauley@xxxxxxxx>
>
> >If I was in the business of designing medical equipment, spacecraft or
> >avionics, their (tantalums) use would not even be contemplated. Malcolm