I like the interpretation I once received to this question.

1.75X is for inspection and if an amomoly can not be identified as a defect
at that level then leave it alone. If you start going up in power you will
eventually identiy it as a defect if you look hard enough. You'll most
likely do more damage repairing it than leaving it alone. Use the higher
magnification to trouble shoot the anomaly and evaluate it as a process
indicator. This can be hard to sell but sounds like common sense to me.

At 02:57 PM 8/12/98 -0600, you wrote:
>Mike,
>
>The last three paragraphs of section 1.5 in IPC-A-600 spell out the
>magnification to be used.  The wording is somewhat confusing.  However,
>the intent is to require a minimum magnification of 1.75X for visual
>inspection.  The part is acceptable if no defects are seen at this
>magnification.  Magnifications above that - usually starting at 10X are
>used for referee IF a potential defect is observed at 1.75X.  Paragraph
>3.3 of IPC-6012 (IPC-6012 would normally be the actual fabrication
>specification) supports this  interpretation with a more clearly worded
>requirement.
>
>Of course requirements specified by the customer can change the
>magnification you would use.

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