I've been noticing with some amusement the disclaimers in the fine print (sometimes not so fine) at the bottom of various datasheets. On the one hand I get it, these companies have to be plenty lawyered up because people will bring $100M lawsuits for no reason. OTOH, some of these are laughably broad, e.g. "... any other application in which the failure of the ... product could create a situation where personal injury or death may occur." I can see it now, "Uncle Al is dead because his radio didn't work when the Acme, Inc. Veeblefetzer failed, so he didn't hear the weather report, and he died in the hurricane."
So when I see one of these dangerous projects, maybe I'll just tell folks that they are using the components in a manner inconsistent with the datasheet (we probably all are, and at all times). XD
For your reading pleasure...
ATmegaXX8 (Atmel)
Atmel products are not suitable for, and shall not be used in, automotive applications. Atmel products are not intended, authorized, or warranted for use as components in applications intended to support or sustain life.74LS123 datasheet (National Semiconductor)
LIFE SUPPORT POLICY
NATIONAL'S PRODUCTS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR USE AS CRITICAL COMPONENTS IN LIFE SUPPORT DEVICES OR SYSTEMS WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN APPROVAL OF THE PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION.2N6071A/B Series Sensitive Gate Triacs (ON Semiconductor)
SCILLC products are not designed, intended, or authorized for use as components in systems intended for surgical implant into the body, or other applications intended to support or sustain life, or for any other application in which the failure of the SCILLC product could create a situation where personal injury or death may occur.ZTT Series Ceramic Resonator (ECS Inc.)
ECS does not approve the use of it's products in Automotive, Military, Avionics, Life Sustaining or Life Support systems or any other related medical applications without written approval from ECS INC.Just a humble 2N4401 transistor (Fairchild Semiconductor)
LIFE SUPPORT POLICY
FAIRCHILD’S PRODUCTS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR USE AS CRITICAL COMPONENTS IN LIFE SUPPORT DEVICES OR SYSTEMS WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN APPROVAL OF FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION.
As used herein:
- Life support devices or systems are devices or systems which, (a) are intended for surgical implant into the body, or (b) support or sustain life, or (c) whose failure to perform when properly used in accordance with instructions for use provided in the labeling, can be reasonably expected to result in significant injury to the user.
- A critical component is any component of a life support device or system whose failure to perform can be reasonably expected to cause the failure of the life support device or system, or to affect its safety or effectiveness.