On 1 Dec 2004 09:43:56, Paul Koning <pkoning_at_equallogic.com> commented:
>>>>>> "Jules" == Jules Richardson <julesrichardsonuk_at_yahoo.co.uk>
>>>>>> writes:
>
> Jules> I've got a board here with a short between ground and the +5V
> Jules> rail (actually not quite dead - I'm getting around 10 ohms
> Jules> between the rails)
>
> Jules> Any useful tips for finding the fault? It's a large board,
> Jules> multi-layer, lots of silicon on it unfortunately :-(
>
> 10 ohms means about 0.5 amps -- sounds like a perfectly respectable
> amount of current for a board with "lots of silicon" to draw.
> So... are you sure there is a short, rather than just circuitry?
>
> paul
Unless there are passives (like terminators) between +5V and GND, 10
ohms is a little low. 0.5 amps represents a minimum current that the
board will pull. An ohmmeter will not normally cause the silicon to
conduct and hence be counted in the total resistance. Some chips do
have internal dividers, but the they are nomally in the 10K + range.
I normally use a current limited supply at the required voltage and set
the limit so that it starts to limit. I then use a 5 digit voltmeter to
trace where the current is going. This is done by placing one probe on
the +5V input and then measuring the drop as you trace out the
distribution path. The path drawing the current will continually drop
while non-drawing paths will remain at a constant voltage drop.
On multi-layer boards you measure drops to the Vcc pins of the bugs and
map the drop.
CRC
Received on Wed Dec 01 2004 - 14:41:37 GMT