Hello there! this is a post, which is not actually asking for a solution on a particular specific problem, but actually, asking for your opinion on something I have experienced. I have had a linear array of DS18B20 temperature sensors running for a whole year no problem. Two of them placed outside (protected from rain though) and the other 3, located by the window (protected from direct sun though). Everybody nows, these guys are robust b***ds! the can take good punishment and I have read that the estimated life span should be of more than a year defenitely.
Two days ago, suddenly, the whole array crashed. I thought may be one of the sensors is preventing the other ones from working properly. But eventually I had to remove the whole array and I tested each sensor indivuidually, one by one, they were all of them wasted. I dont't have records of lightng strikes on my building, and the board kept working fine. The power supply of the flat has protection for armonics, etc. So I could not figure out what happened here. I just realised that a couple of days ago there was a huge solar flare (we are on the high cycle). I know this sounds a bit like sicence fiction LOL, but do you think this could be a reson for these sensors failing collectively + simultaneously?
Some kind of EMI problem sounds like a plausible cause, yes.
It wouldn't have had to be on the building. Nearby is sufficient to induce a rogue current in your sensor wiring.
EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) seems to make the most sense as the cause. EMI can be generated in various ways, such as power line surges from a large AC compressor cycling on or off, lightning, strong RF (Radio Frequency) transmissions, and other sources of electrical noise.
It's not!
To be clear I don't know the reason but solar flare seems unlikely because if it was a solar flare that took out your DS18B20s then I think it would have taken out a lot of stuff world wide and if that were the case I think it would have been in the news.
-
My guess(es): the AC supply, the logic power supply, maybe lightning.
-
Out of speculation, you might want to consider replacing the logic power supply.
Yes, actually I am working on this! Thanks!
Well, it was on the NOAA WX predicction center website 
but I agree with you... why, whatever it was, took down only the Dallas sensors of the array and not the rest of the stuff? so it does look like is not the case (not impossible though!)
Yes 
!! I heard about these things happening, and when you are looking for answers, you must consider everything, must'n you?
I heard once of a drone demo being made to a high rank official. He arrived in a car provided with several frequency inhibiters (basically ECM stuff... in those days, in Spain we had many bombs threats) and the drone, upon leaving the launch ramp, crashed rightaway. But freq inhibiters would not damage permanently a sensor, wouldn't it?
This topic was automatically closed 180 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.