Hi Steve,

the reason why I shut down all my equipment (some CAD
workstations including a "server" under Windows NT, a small IR
reflow oven) every evening (I disconnect all with a big red main
switch) is the possible fire hazard. I feel better if I know the only
three boxes which can burn my office are the fax machine, the
answering machine and the telephone switching system.

In a former life, had a PC power supply which exploded with
spectacular smoke production. It was unpowered, but not disconnected,
and thus the main input EMC filter was under power. And you know how
this cheap stuff is built: no fire proof metal housing, and the whole
PC power supply PWB was burnt..... Imagine what happens if nobody
with a cup of water is near (after unplugging!! ;-)  )

One of my board manufacturers lost his whole plating equipment
because it was powered overnight and a little mouse had the
opportunity to produce a little short circuit, too small for
firing the fuses but big enough to burn the house.

Just my two cents

Matthias

P.S.: I was seven years in a voluntary fire brigade. About the half
of all fires were technical defects in powered, unattended electric
or electronic devices......
-----------------------------------------------
Matthias Mansfeld Elektronik
* Printed Circuit Board Design and Assembly
Am Langhoelzl 11, D-85540 Haar, GERMANY
Phone: +49-89-4620 0937, Fax: +49-89-4620 0938
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]
Internet: http://www.mansfeld-elektronik.de

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