PhotonWrangler
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Their original "Chief" logo was a rather unflattering image. It's good that they ditched it a long time ago.
What The Hell Is That?!
- Thread starter Chauncey Gardener
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PhotonWrangler
Flashaholic
Awhile back I bought a random bag 'o' transistors at a hamfest. Yesterday I was fishing through the bag for a particular type of transistor when I pulled this thing out. I have no clue what it is, so I'm hoping that someone else can identify the type of component. It's numbers are partially scratched off so I can't search it by part number. So far I know this about it from probing it -
It's not a transistor because there aren't enough leads.
It's not a diode as it measures open circuit in both directions.
It's not a photosensor as it produces no reaction to light.
It's not a magnetic reed switch as it doesn't respond to the presence of a strong magnet.
It's not a coil, resistor or capacitor.
It does have some steel inside as it sticks to a magnet.
The brand name stamped into the logo is MIO. It's potted iin red colored resin and the two leads are close to the front face of the device, which seems significant.
What the hell is it?
It's not a transistor because there aren't enough leads.
It's not a diode as it measures open circuit in both directions.
It's not a photosensor as it produces no reaction to light.
It's not a magnetic reed switch as it doesn't respond to the presence of a strong magnet.
It's not a coil, resistor or capacitor.
It does have some steel inside as it sticks to a magnet.
The brand name stamped into the logo is MIO. It's potted iin red colored resin and the two leads are close to the front face of the device, which seems significant.
What the hell is it?
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A fuse, perhaps.
**Or a grounding pin thing, that loop looks like it is meant to be screwed or bolted down
^if it were closed, I'd say it was a switch or fuse.
PhotonWrangler
Flashaholic
Hmm, good observation. It would have to be a blown fuse though, and the leads look pristine like it's never been used. And yes that plastic loop is meant to bolt it to something.
PhotonWrangler
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It could be some sort of switch, however it doesn't respond to a magnetic field, nor does it respond to skaking it, so it doesn't appear to be a tilt switch, unless it's a defective one.
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hmm....maybe it was a retail hanger tag style twistie tie (like a security tag on a truck) and accidentally got thrown into the bag? We could just be overanalyzing something as simple as a harness or hanger clip lol
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It could also be intended to poke through multiple layers of boards, then used as a mount point on a power supply or something like that.
Like aviation boards and stuffs?
PhotonWrangler
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Could it be an MOV? I've never seen one in this type of package though, and MOVs generally don't stick to magnets.
Maybe some type of thermostat? :unsure:
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Lol...no idea, I'm currently looking up 2 pin eyelets
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What does that logo look like? It could give us some insight into the company. Is it mio global, mio international? What is that shape?
The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced it's just a bundling/hanger tag/tab
The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced it's just a bundling/hanger tag/tab
PhotonWrangler
Flashaholic
Perhaps a brother or cousin?
CANTHERM F20A11005ACFA06E Encapsulated Thermostat - Response Temp 110 Degrees
Our pellet stove has something similar in function. when the stove reaches a set temperature, the snap disc, as they're called, closes the internal switch allowing electricity to power a fan.
CANTHERM F20A11005ACFA06E Encapsulated Thermostat - Response Temp 110 Degrees
Our pellet stove has something similar in function. when the stove reaches a set temperature, the snap disc, as they're called, closes the internal switch allowing electricity to power a fan.
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Possibly a miniature antenna, if it was at a hamfest...
I give up for now, my googlefu isn't what it used to be
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The man with all the answers :D
PhotonWrangler
Flashaholic
Chauncey, I think it's the Cantherm F20 or similar in Normally Open configuration. This explains why it measures infinite resistance across the leads. .I'm going to try hitting it with a hair dryer or heat gun while measuring continuity.
Nice find!!
Dang CG, you're cookin' on the front burner today;-)
'NO' is usually the minority app for such components (vs 'NC'), as components of this sort are most often used to protect something in an out of bounds condition rather than control something operating normally (in the interest of 'failing safe' / failing 'open'), but they do make 'em. I note that the 'switching cycles' spec ain't that high either. As you alluded to PW, whatever the something is, it could also be a defective something, and it may never change state again;-)
PhotonWrangler
Flashaholic
I saw something in the data sheet that said -
F20-E06 Formerly Called F11-E06
...and when I look at the part upside down, I can see F11U and E06. I did not expect the p/n to be printed upside down. :ohgeez:
Nailed it Chauncey!
PhotonWrangler
Flashaholic
I did see something in the spec sheet about 'self-heating' and the potential failure mode it can cause. I tried heating it up with a hair dryer while monitoring for continuity and there was no change. I'll make one more run at it with a heat gun before I decide whether it's broken.
Speaking of hair dryers, that switching cycle rating might be entirely adequate for its application. Funny thing with safety / protection stuff is that high MTBF is more P2, while 'failing safe' is more P1.
Anyway, after I use my hair dryer lately, a few seconds after I set it down, I hear a distinct 'click'. If I remain, I'll soon hear another 'click'. It's operating too hot, and when the forced air cooling is shut down, the heat rise trips the OT thermal cutout switch, which then resets after just a bit of natural convection cooling. The intake grille is obstructed by dust accumulation, and I need to get off my rear and take it outside and clean the grille. The cobbler's kids got no shoes;-)
