Hardware Podcasts

The Spark Gap - Episode 27

The Spark Gap · 25 Feb 2015 · 38m

What this episode covers

Hosts Carl and Corey share embedded electronics horror stories, including Corey’s PCB layout error where a tool connected line and neutral, and Carl’s experience with a potato gun fireball. They discuss common design pitfalls such as incorrect through-hole sizing, voltage level mismatches between an FPGA and a 1.8V chip, and the leakage currents of unpowered ICs like FTDI chips. The conversation emphasizes the importance of reading datasheets, verifying Gerber files, and understanding power-up sequencing to avoid bricking components or causing shorts.

Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

Topics

Mentioned

Chips
FTDI
Tools
USBDM, Dremel
Also
RadioShack

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The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by The Spark Gap. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.