Here are some tips for winterizing electronic devices

First, let's take a look at electronic measuring instruments. What does the cold metal shell of each instrument look like? For those who have not been exposed to complex measuring instruments, they may not understand why many high-end instruments on the market cost more than 100,000 or 1 million yuan, but are easily affected by interference and affect the measurement results. This is mainly because these instruments have complex manufacturing processes and use many components. Factors such as temperature, humidity, and electromagnetic interference can easily affect these components, thereby introducing unstable factors. If there is a problem with a bicycle, most people can fix it manually, but if there is a problem with a car, it can only be handled by a repair shop or 4S shop. No matter how stable a BMW is, it is not as stable as a bicycle!

So, for such a fragile "instrument baby", why is it easy to be damaged in winter? There are only two differences between winter and other seasons: temperature and humidity. So, how do temperature and humidity affect the instrument? As long as you understand these two points, you can wear autumn johns for your instrument correctly.

Temperature is the most important factor affecting the normal operation of an instrument and the reliable results it can produce, because every electronic component of an electronic measuring instrument must be within a certain temperature range to work within its most reliable confidence interval, and its working results are the most optimized and reliable. It is for this reason that our instruments need to have enough warm-up time before testing, and we only test the instrument functions and indicators after a sufficient warm-up process.

So, what kind of temperature does the instrument need most? In fact, the instrument is just like our human body. The operating environment temperature required is the temperature that our human body feels most comfortable (23+/-5℃). And usually each instrument has its own automatic circulation temperature control system. As long as you ensure the stability of the ambient temperature, its own circulation system can also ensure that the components inside the instrument are in a stable temperature environment. So it is very important to ensure the location of the instrument at this time. Whether it is in a cabinet or on a table, make sure that there is enough distance around the air outlet and air inlet of the instrument to do a good job of heat dissipation. If you are not sure about the location of the air inlet and outlet of the instrument, please feel free to pick up the phone next to you and call our free service hotline: 4008-100-189.

Many friends will say, "That's fine. Our instruments always work in a constant temperature environment indoors, so we can easily spend the winter." Don't worry. If your instrument always works indoors, it's indeed fine. So, what if it is borrowed? What if it has just been sent back for repair? What if it is moved from one room to another? The biggest feature of winter temperature is the large temperature difference between indoor and outdoor. When an object is suddenly moved from a low temperature place to a high temperature place, it is easy to condense water droplets, especially when the inside of the instrument is made of metal, it is easier for water droplets to condense inside. Once water droplets condense and then turn on the power, you can imagine the consequences. Therefore, when you just unpack your instrument, don't feel like unpacking a courier after Double 11, and don't feel the urgency of reuniting with your lover after a long separation. Calm down first, let the package warm up in the house for a while, and then slowly open it. Remember, remember!

After talking about temperature, let's look at humidity. Most electronic components are sensitive to humidity. When transporting and storing circuit boards and components, they must be stored in a special drying oven. From this perspective, winter is really great. With a natural drying oven, you don't have to worry about mold and fermentation. However, when you are feeling lucky, a pair of evil hands are reaching out to you, and that is static electricity!

Yes, electronic components like low humidity, but they are more afraid of static electricity. There is no problem with storage, but not during use. Do you know? When you walk across the carpet in a pair of slippers, how many volts of static electricity is generated? 35,000 volts. And how many volts of static electricity can your "instrument baby" withstand? 200 volts. So when you run over to hug it, it is already riddled with holes. Maybe you still don't believe it, more than 30,000 volts of voltage haven't killed me yet? But the fact is that the human body is a large container. We are constantly moving, the friction between the soles of our feet and the ground, the friction between our arms and clothes, etc., will constantly generate and store static electricity, and different physiques have different abilities to store charges, so have you ever been discharged by your favorite goddess in the cold winter? In fact, that is not the favor of Cupid, but a normal phenomenon of nature.

However, electronic instruments do not have such a large capacity as ours. In the current sophisticated circuits, a channel the size of a hair contains thousands of circuits, so the charges can only pass through in a queue. Once the voltage is too high, the circuit may burn or fuse. Moreover, this damage is hidden and cumulative. It may be just a small gap at the time, which is not felt at all and does not affect any performance. But when it accumulates to a certain extent, it suddenly explodes. At that time, it is impossible to check it out, and you can only hide in the corner and cry.

Static electricity is terrible, but what does it have to do with winter? This is another characteristic of static electricity. Let's take a look at the following data:

Do you understand? The same action will generate very different electrostatic voltages under different humidity. In most parts of my country, the winter is very dry, and the relative humidity is usually 10-20%. It can be seen that our instruments are in a very dangerous environment. So at this time, if you don’t have a humidity monitor in your laboratory, then buy one immediately; if you already have one, don’t treat it as a decoration, and quickly go over and stare at it. If you find that the humidity has dropped, take action quickly and turn on all the humidifiers, robots, etc. Make sure the indoor humidity is within the appropriate range.

However, these are not the most important. The most important thing is to establish a complete and reliable electrostatic safety work process. Make sure that the instrument works in an electrostatic safety work area, that each operator has received the correct electrostatic safety training, installed the correct electrostatic protection items, and operates in accordance with the electrostatic safety requirements. Only in this way can your instrument accompany you to work safely for a long time!

Winter is coming, is your instrument still afraid of the cold? Apply for instrument service immediately. If you love it, put on a pair of warm autumn johns for it to spend the winter safely!