In a message dated 02/10/2000 7:59:51 PM Central Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

> Hello all,
>
>  We use a significant amount of MOV's (TH) in our products and have just
been
>  told by the supplier that we are the only ones in the U.S. that has the
>  leads prepped with a kink just below the meniscus. We use the kink for a
>  standoff and a holder into the PWB as they are manually inserted and there
>  is no cut-n-clinch action to hold them in.
>
>  I cannot believe we are the only people in the U.S. to order MOV's in this
>  manner. I know there is validity to the purpose of the kink, and I don't
>  believe we are that far out in left field when it comes to technology on
the
>  production line!
>
>  Looking for feedback on how others are dealing with MOV's and the issue of
>  keeping them in the board during process.
>
>  Thank you all in advance!
>
>  Richard Hamilton
>  Clemar Mfg. / Rain Bird
>  [log in to unmask]

Hi Richard!

This is another acronym that I'm not familiar with, so I did a search, I
found out what that means; "MOV-Metal Oxide Varistor" I also learned some
other stuff...things that are not too good about MOV's, one such article is
below:

Surge suppressors may cause Fires

                   The Oregon State fire marshal has received several reports
of
                   power surge protectors failing due to a faulty electronic
component
                   that deteriorates over time and begins to act like a
heating device.
                   These faulty units can create enough heat to melt their
plastic
                   casing and possibly cause a home or office fire. The
recent fire
                   next to the Hollywood theater in Portland as well as two
fires in
                   Washington state have been linked to these faulty power
surge
                   protectors.

                   The common characteristics of the faulty power surge
protectors
                   include the following: a. Beige or gray in color, b. "on"
and "off'
                   switch, c. six or seven outlets, d. low cost, selling for
$10 or less, e.
                   plastic casings marked "Made in China" or "Assembled in
China,"
                   f. may not have any name brand indicated on the plastic
casing,,
                   and g. commonly sold at discount stores in packages of two
or
                   more.

                   One of the main components of a power surge suppressor is a
                   metal oxide varistor (MOV) that is designed to limit power
current
                   surges or spikes that can cause damage to electronic
equipment.
                   This electric surge is dissipated as heat.

                   The problem found with some MOV components made in China is
                   that over an 18 to 24 month time period the materials used
begin
                   to break down. As the MOV ages, its operating
characteristics
                   change, and it can become more sensitive and dissipate more
                   heat.

                   This process continues until the MOV deteriorates to the
extent
                   that it conducts continuously and becomes a heating
element.
                   Users must understand that the MOV is working, and thus
                   deteriorating all the time it is plugged in. The fact that
nothing is
                   plugged into it, or any device plugged into it is turned
off, has no
                   bearing on the deteriorating process.

                   If the case is made of plastic, this process eventually
causes the
                   plastic to melt and burn. A plastic power surge protector
that
                   catches fire while lying on a carpet or next to a Computer
can
                   create an extremely hot, toxic and fast-spreading fire in
a very
                   short time.

                   It should be noted that most power surge suppressors are
                   designed for personal computers and peripherals that draw
two to
                   eight amps but are often incorrectly used as extension
cords for
                   small appliances such as space heaters, televisions,
stereos, etc.,
                   which can draw 12 amps or more.

                   Owners of computers or other expensive electronic
equipment are
                   advised to protect their property from AC power voltage
spikes by
                   investing in power surge protectors with an energy rating,
of at
                   least 240 joules. These units, costing between $25 and
$100, will
                   protect equipment from more than power surges; they may
prevent
                   an electrical fire from destroying a home or business.
Source: IAEI
                   News, September-October 1997

The other stuff I learned is at this link: http://www.tao.com/zero/truth.html
Hope I didn't start up any problems, but this is stuff that's out there on
the 'NET...

-Steve Gregory-

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