A bug has been fixed that caused search results to not be displayed correctly when changing filtering options. An additional bug has also been fixed that caused the sorting method to be forgotten when changing filter options for search results. Hopefully bug extermination will no longer be required for the search engine. If you find a bug, no matter how small, please report it so we can fix it!
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Although you may use pliers on a regular basis, here’s a chance to brush up on your safety skills. As Klein Tools presents in their most recent catalog, the following points are of great importance when working with pliers:
1. Do not use pliers to do another tool’s job. We’re all probably guilty of using pliers as a hammer at some point, but doing so may lead to damaging your tools and your work, as well as potentially injuring yourself.
2. Never try to use pliers beyond their ability. Trying to bend stiff wire with light-duty pliers may spring or break them. Stronger, blunt nose pliers are more suitable for this task. Also, don’t exceed the length of the pliers’ handles. Larger pliers may be needed if the handles do not extend as far as the task calls for.
3. Do not expose pliers to excessive heat. Because pliers are sensitive to high heat, your tool may be destroyed if placed under direct flames.
4. Always cut at right angles, not side to side. By rocking the pliers from side to side when cutting wire or bending the wire against the cutting knives, you may dull or nick the cutting edges. If you have trouble cutting, try sharpening the knives or using pliers with greater leverage.
5. Be sure the type of pliers match the application. Unless your pliers are specifically designed to cut hardened wire, do not use ordinary pliers to do so.
6. Always protect your eyes before cutting wire or metal. Wearing approved eye wear such as goggles, a face mask, or another protective device is a must when using pliers for cutting wire.
7. Do not use pliers on live electrical circuits. Comfort grips or plastic-dipped handles are not designed to protect the user from electric shock. If there is a chance that the tool will touch an energized source, be sure to only use insulated tools.
8. Oil pliers to maintain life and value. You can lengthen the life of your tool by occasionally putting a drop of oil at the joint of the pliers. This will also allow for easy operation.
Do you need specific pliers for your activity? Check out our Electronics Pliers, ESD-Safe Electronics Pliers, Mechanical Pliers, and Locking Pliers.
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Amid many brands and styles of gloves that All-Spec Industries carries, the GL679 nitrile gloves are among the most popular. These blue ESD-safe gloves are now available in five sizes, and provide much greater puncture resistance than rubber and vinyl gloves of similar thickness.
The video below displays the puncture resistant properties of the GL679 gloves, while the strong nitrile material allows for tactile sensitivity.
Video by All-Spec Industries©
To request a sample of the All-Spec GL679 gloves, please send your mailing address to sales@all-spec.com.
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As presented in this month’s edition of IN Compliance Magazine, “Decreased CDM Ratings for ESD-Sensitive Devices in Printed Circuit Boards” describes the increased vulnerability of electronic devices when placed into printed circuit boards (PCBs). Authored by Roger Peirce of Simco and Jim Colnar and John Trotman of General Dynamics, this article puts a new spin on the ESD world.
HBM (human body model) ratings are typically used more than CDM (charged device model) ratings because they are easier to acquire from manufacturers. However, a device’s CDM rating may be more relevant in situations where a device can become charged by an adjacent insulator. But because CDM ratings are difficult to determine from HBM ratings, the article’s authors sought out to find a correlation between CDM and PCB size.
From exploratory tests discussed within the article, the results show that an electronic device’s CDM rating is drastically lowered when mounted into a larger PCB. The original device in question tested at 3500 volts. When placed into a 4 x 4” PCB, the device tested at 2200 volts. It was then placed into larger and larger sizes of PCBs. When inserted into the largest PCB, at 12 x 12”, the lowest voltage was found at 900 volts (see Table 1).
Although this information is relatively new and experimental, it does bring awareness to the vulnerability of electronic components in printed circuit boards. It also raises the question of whether or not a component’s CDM rating can be found using the multiplying factors from Table 1. With more testing, this information could potentially be used as a future standard for calculating such CDM ratings. Stay tuned!
Find component testers, PCB carriers, and PCB repair parts at All-Spec Industries.
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If you’ve made a purchase from All-Spec Industries, you can claim FREE products from Weller and Bucket Boss! The first 100 customers to fill out a review of your purchase on Reseller Ratings will automatically receive a Weller® C1C Cordless Butane Soldering Iron as well as a Bucket Boss® Mug Boss Desk Organizer (seen to the right).
The process is easy:
In addition to receiving the free gifts above, you will also be entered to win an Asus Eee PC 1001PX Netbook (seen to the left), complete with Windows 7 Starter, 160GB hard drive, 1GB RAM and 10 inch widescreen; this netbook is nearly a $300 value. At noon EST on November 15, 2010 we will randomly select a winner of the netbook. Be sure to submit your review complete with an accurate order number before the November 15 drawing.
Photo courtesy of Asus Commercial Products©
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