Switch close-up
Added 2024-06-28 15:30:21 +0000 UTCThis is the closest I could zoom in on the switch contacts with extra lenses and lighting.
It shows the smudging and tracking I'd associate with tin whisker growth, but without a lab grade microscope I can't determine if there are physical micrometre whiskers.
Comments
Depending on what other uses you might have, Chinese HDMI video microscopes are quite cheap now. You can get decent ones with Sony IMX sensor, a 180x C/CS-mount lens and a non-wobbly stand for around 150 USD delivered. Ring lights can be bought for less than 15 USD. They are good for soldering small SMD components (size 0402 and smaller) and inspecting solder joints. They will not be able to show single micrometer thin whiskers, but you could get much closer, 10 µm are easily visible with such a setup. Or even cheaper: Get the same lens, stand and ring light plus a good USB C/CS-mount camera (around 25 to 45 USD delivered). The image will be the same, but there is some latency when viewing the picture on a monitor (not ideal for live work like soldering, but still very usable). The 150x lens TZM0745B-W075-TV050 is sometimes (not currently) available for just over 20 USD and also very good for this price with comparable optic performance. So, 5 MP IMX USB camera 27 USD, lens 21 USD, stand 32 USD, ring light 15 USD, so around 95 USD for the complete setup.
Kai-Steffen Hielscher
2024-06-30 07:51:33 +0000 UTCInteresting. I wonder what other critical devices have been affected.
Big Clive
2024-06-30 01:11:29 +0000 UTCBack in 2009, a driver had a serious incident regarding unintended acceleration. Toyota, and the US Department of Transportation were stuck investigating the cause, and had contacted NASA for help. Check out https://www.eetimes.com/toyota-accelerations-revisited-hanging-by-a-tin-whisker/ https://www.nhtsa.gov/es/document/technical-support-national-highway-traffic-safety-administration-nhtsa-reported-toyota and PDF https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://nepp.nasa.gov/whisker/reference/tech_papers/2011-nasa-gsfc-whisker-failure-app-sensor.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiDrfOPgYKHAxWHEEQIHVMkDSQQFnoECCIQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3oXThZgPIJrc25LnyoE6i_
Brett Duane
2024-06-30 00:03:54 +0000 UTCinteresting, shame we cant get in a bit closer, but as you say thats expensive equipment. 👍
DC Allan
2024-06-29 16:16:43 +0000 UTC
