Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!tektronix!tekecs!nobody
From: nobody@tekecs.GWD.TEK.COM (-for inetd server command)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: System Unit Design
Keywords: Where is the fuse?
Message-ID: <11156@tekecs.GWD.TEK.COM>
Date: 18 Mar 89 01:41:08 GMT
References: <1256@wpi.wpi.edu>
Reply-To: stank@anvil.UUCP (Stan Kalinowski)
Organization: Tektronix, Inc., Wilsonville, OR
Lines: 34


<long description of what it took to replace the power supply fuse deleted>

>	Why would a designer place a disposable/exchangable part
>     (such as a fuse) deep inside a 'sealed' assembly that has
>     existing external connections?  


Your description of what you did to replace the fuse did not include
an explanation of why the fuse was blown in the first place.  Fuses
rarely blow for no apparent reason.  In your description you mentioned
that there was a sticker on the power supply that said that there were
no user serviceable parts inside.  It seems to me, you have proven
that the fuse is not a user serviceable part.  Sure, anyone can
replace a fuse, but it takes a qualified technical person to determine
why the fuse blew in the first place.  It could very well be that you
are now operating your system in a dangerous way because you don't
know what made that fuse blow.

I once restored a Dodge van from the damage done by an engine fire.
In the course of replacing the wiring harness I discovered that some
intelligent person bypassed some of the fuses in the fuse box!  I
suspect that there was probably an intermittent short that would
occasionally caused some of the fuses to blow, and the owner thought
that the fuses were simply a nuisance.

At any rate, that's why I think burying the fuse in the power supply
is probably not a bad idea.

							stank
US Mail: Stan Kalinowski, Tektronix, Inc.	
         Information Display Group, Interactive Technologies Division
         PO Box 1000, MS 61-028, Wilsonville OR 97070   Phone:(503)-685-2458
uucp:    {ucbvax,decvax,allegra,uw-beaver}!tektronix!orca!stank