First off, I should probably mention that this isn't strictly related to an Arduino board but since it is more or less just like an Arduino(ATmega32U4 MCU) I figured it couldn't hurt to start here.
I have a PCB that is stated to be able to run off of a 3.7v lipo battery, which I got last Friday(this one). You connect the battery with a JST connector.
When I plugged in the battery, while it was very quick to disperse, I'm pretty certain I saw a small wisp of smoke. As far as I can tell, there is no damage to the PCB or any components, but there is an odd spot of what I can only describe as condensation on some traces near the MCU; I'm not 100% certain but I can't say that it was there when I first looked at the PCB.
The board still appears to work(though have not tested battery power functionality again at the time of this writing) but I'm a little paranoid about it and wondering if I ought to be concerned the board becoming a fire hazard or something like that.
Like it says at the end of the last paragraph, I have concerns that my PCB is potentially a fire hazard if I continue to use it given that I saw it smoke and was wondering if I should be worried or if my paranoia is getting the better of me.
Also small update, PCB does appear to still function when connected to battery power.
I am still a little concerned though as I only have extremely limited electronics knowledge and up till this point I have never personally seen a PCB give off smoke when connected to power. Should I still be concerned about the possibility of something overheating or catching fire?
Smoke is never good, 'cause where's smoke there's fire. But if there's no smoke any more, whatever was blown was blown for good. But I do not see any scars on the PCB, do you?
There's never smoke without catastrophic device failure (or a very hot passive component). Perhaps you
got a spark on the connector as the decoupling caps charged (LiPo batteries can source dozens of amps without
any problem).
A rare but possible cause would be a solder tail between power and ground, which the connection of the LiPo vaporized.
MarkT:
There's never smoke without catastrophic device failure (or a very hot passive component). Perhaps you
got a spark on the connector as the decoupling caps charged (LiPo batteries can source dozens of amps without
any problem).
A rare but possible cause would be a solder tail between power and ground, which the connection of the LiPo vaporized.
Ah, ok, so sounds like since the board still appears to be working I ought to be ok correct?
MarkT:
There's never smoke without catastrophic device failure (or a very hot passive component). Perhaps you
got a spark on the connector as the decoupling caps charged (LiPo batteries can source dozens of amps without
any problem).
well.. I saw an episode of Star Trek where sparks were flying all over the place.
so the increase power and ... well they came out all right.
sortofsleepy:
Ah, ok, so sounds like since the board still appears to be working I ought to be ok correct?
There was a catrostropic failure. the residual of which you speak means something was destoryed.
if there was a pop, smoke and goo, then a cap blew.
if there is a hole in the side of a part, then that part blew.
in some cases, a cap may have been put in backwards, it blew, but the rest of the board is working
if you shorted out a channel, then it is possible that only that channel is damaged.
if you took some close up pics we might be able to help you identify what failed.
I have blown up diodes on NANO's, it was a short on power, the diode blew, and I could still run the NANO from a different power supply. until I replaced the bad part.
there was a post on here a couple weeks ago about the whole smoke replacement technology....
bottom line is that there are 3 general categoires of damage
A) one thing burnt out, the rest is still working
B) one thing burnt and prevents the rest from working
C) major damage with total replacement.
dave-in-nj:
There was a catrostropic failure. the residual of which you speak means something was destoryed.
if there was a pop, smoke and goo, then a cap blew.
if there is a hole in the side of a part, then that part blew.
in some cases, a cap may have been put in backwards, it blew, but the rest of the board is working
if you shorted out a channel, then it is possible that only that channel is damaged.
if you took some close up pics we might be able to help you identify what failed.
I have blown up diodes on NANO's, it was a short on power, the diode blew, and I could still run the NANO from a different power supply. until I replaced the bad part.
there was a post on here a couple weeks ago about the whole smoke replacement technology....
bottom line is that there are 3 general categoires of damage
A) one thing burnt out, the rest is still working
B) one thing burnt and prevents the rest from working
C) major damage with total replacement.
sounds like you are experiencing "A"
the only question what it was.
Normally I'd provide photos, but visually, nothing appears damaged. All the soldered components seem to be ok. As I mentioned, the only odd thing I can find is some odd white discoloration on top of some traces.
