Rms converter to match HP3400A?

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Yeah, PCB flooding.

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Parts should come with this label:

I reckon the no-name EVBs run at about 10% of the price of the manufacturer branded parts. The thick gooey flux seems to be a feature. So far I've had 100% success with such boards - I'm happy to run the risk since it means I can play with a lot more stuff than otherwise. If it were a project for a customer I would (probably) buy the real thing.

I've just received two different boards for the AD8367. The flux looks as if the board had been dipped in honey, I've cleaned one up but not got round to testing yet.

I'll start a new blog about it when I do.

MK

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I have to confess that I got the idea of using the part from

community.element14.com/.../ggabe

MK

www.eletimes.com/the-growing-market-of-counterfeit-electronic-components-and-its-repercussions

In the article “Manufacturers should opt for blockchain technology to locate the components as separate blocks in the chain. This way they can verify precisely where the parts came from and when they arrived in the supply chain.” 

However, it is easier said than done. The author’s mention of this alongside visual inspection on the same page undermines the credibility of the article.

I once read that when X tells you that the answer to Y is Blockchain, then the only thing you learn is that X knows nothing about Y or Blockchain.

More seriously - I'm happy to buy parts of uncertain origin to play with, I wouldn't buy them for serious work let alone safety critical stuff.

The little Eval boards from China are not obviously fake or counterfeit. The chips on them work fine (although they might be second hand). The boards I've bought recently are not clones but new designs (although based on the app notes which is perfectly OK).

They provide a service to the greater good by applying price pressure to the major players, and if they use second hand parts that helps the planet too.

There are certainly fake parts around which don't really work at all or are dangerous - and I wouldn't knowingly buy them or support their production.

MK

Many manufacturers already use blockchain technology and visual inspection has been used for quite some time.

Many manufacturers already use blockchain technology and visual inspection has been used for quite some time.