Burning in Electronics

9mmCensor · 03-01-2005, 08:46 AM

Is it hype or fact?

My friend got a new amp, and spent the weekend "burning it in", and it seems people do it with computers, so...

Does it actually work? How? Why?

Anonymous · 03-01-2005, 08:50 AM

I do not know of any reason to do it, you do it on computers to let the thermal paste settle. There is no reason its just hype.

rhino56 · 03-01-2005, 11:29 AM

that is such a hard question to answer mainly because it is covering about 2 zillion different types of parts.
if you said only cpu, or just a capacitor would be a little more specific and easier to answer somewhat, but it involves several different parts working together and how running at maximum speed and capacity from the start effects them. and it may effect some differently then others.

so its not just like one simple ni-cad battery cell and what is the best way to get the maximum capacity and longevity out of it.

so what is good way for one type of electronics part to start its life may actually be bad for another that is working along with it.
and to measure the exact benefit, by comparing all of these parts positive and neg effects vs. the gainsof overall performance would vary so much between different brands, makes, types of products that it would be a project larger then time and space probably.
while the actual gains from any knowledge aquired from a research project of such a massive scope would be like wondering how many licks it takes to get to the middle of a lollipop.

1, 2, crunch it takes 3.

hpntct · 03-04-2005, 09:27 PM

I used to work for an electronics company that produced power inverters and battery chargers and I spent alot of time "burning things in" so yes, it is a good idea. You aren't actually stressing the components if it's being run within its design specifications but you are testing to see if there are any defects in the components. In any case, if there is something wrong, you'll be able to identify it right away and use your warrantee.

Mark620 · 03-05-2005, 11:02 PM

I believe that burn-in is just the start of burn-out or possibly short-out.

Burn-in is to the computer world what break-in is to the automotive world.
In the computer world they stress it to see if it breaks and in the automotive world they take it easy on the parts so they take the "proper set"...

Burn-in can only help find defective components.

rhino56 · 03-05-2005, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark620

I believe that burn-in is just the start of burn-out or possibly short-out.

Burn-in is to the computer world what break-in is to the automotive world.
In the computer world they stress it to see if it breaks and in the automotive world they take it easy on the parts so they take the "proper set"...

Burn-in can only help find defective components.

arent all the electronics burned in before they are sold?
like they usually test stuff dont they?

Mark620 · 03-06-2005, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhino56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark620

I believe that burn-in is just the start of burn-out or possibly short-out.

Burn-in is to the computer world what break-in is to the automotive world.
In the computer world they stress it to see if it breaks and in the automotive world they take it easy on the parts so they take the "proper set"...

Burn-in can only help find defective components.

arent all the electronics burned in before they are sold?
like they usually test stuff dont they?

Well, actually, they want us to think that they test each part but in reality... NO they don't. In most cases statistical testing is done...out of 1000 parts they randomly pick a few and test them...if they work okay... the whole lot is passed.

In the computer world, finised products are usually tested.
In the automotive world, The finished car is driven about 3/10 of a mile...I would not consider that much of an extensive test...after all most people would not buy a brand new car with a 100 miles on it.

hpntct · 03-06-2005, 08:17 AM

I agree with Mark620. Not all items are tested...just a random sampling is done.

hpntct · 08-01-2006, 01:21 PM

I had my breaks replaced a few months back. The guy told me to be gentle on them for the first few days when breaking. So in this case, you have to break them in on your own to increase their life. It's almost like the brakes are only partially hardened at the factory and you harden them (break-in) by braking slowing which generates even distrubution of heat on the pads. Once they are hardened, you can brake anyway you want. If you don't do this, they are still soft and will crumble (leading to a non flat surface) and when you break, you'll get brake pulsation.

§€NTiN€L · 11-28-2006, 12:38 PM

sounds like a very noob question for electronic engineers here .... but can someone explain what this "burning in" means? Is it like burning an amp design onto an FPGA kind of thing?

03-01-2005, 08:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
9mmCensor Specialist Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 150	Burning in Electronics Is it hype or fact? My friend got a new amp, and spent the weekend "burning it in", and it seems people do it with computers, so... Does it actually work? How? Why?

03-05-2005, 11:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mark620 Administrator Colonel Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: TN Posts: 3,047	I believe that burn-in is just the start of burn-out or possibly short-out. Burn-in is to the computer world what break-in is to the automotive world. In the computer world they stress it to see if it breaks and in the automotive world they take it easy on the parts so they take the "proper set"... Burn-in can only help find defective components. __________________ On May 20th 2008, a list of the names of over thirty-one thousand scientists (of which 9,000 are Phds), who refute that man made CO2 has caused global warming, was released. My Heatware Yes, I did just crawl out from under a rock ! I am a Caver !

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03-01-2005, 08:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
Anonymous First Lieutenant Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,543	I do not know of any reason to do it, you do it on computers to let the thermal paste settle. There is no reason its just hype.

03-01-2005, 11:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
rhino56 Administrator General Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 6,813	that is such a hard question to answer mainly because it is covering about 2 zillion different types of parts. if you said only cpu, or just a capacitor would be a little more specific and easier to answer somewhat, but it involves several different parts working together and how running at maximum speed and capacity from the start effects them. and it may effect some differently then others. so its not just like one simple ni-cad battery cell and what is the best way to get the maximum capacity and longevity out of it. so what is good way for one type of electronics part to start its life may actually be bad for another that is working along with it. and to measure the exact benefit, by comparing all of these parts positive and neg effects vs. the gainsof overall performance would vary so much between different brands, makes, types of products that it would be a project larger then time and space probably. while the actual gains from any knowledge aquired from a research project of such a massive scope would be like wondering how many licks it takes to get to the middle of a lollipop. 1, 2, crunch it takes 3.

03-04-2005, 09:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
hpntct Sergeant Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC Canada Posts: 382	I used to work for an electronics company that produced power inverters and battery chargers and I spent alot of time "burning things in" so yes, it is a good idea. You aren't actually stressing the components if it's being run within its design specifications but you are testing to see if there are any defects in the components. In any case, if there is something wrong, you'll be able to identify it right away and use your warrantee.

03-06-2005, 08:17 AM	#8 (permalink)
hpntct Sergeant Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC Canada Posts: 382	I agree with Mark620. Not all items are tested...just a random sampling is done.

08-01-2006, 01:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
hpntct Sergeant Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC Canada Posts: 382	I had my breaks replaced a few months back. The guy told me to be gentle on them for the first few days when breaking. So in this case, you have to break them in on your own to increase their life. It's almost like the brakes are only partially hardened at the factory and you harden them (break-in) by braking slowing which generates even distrubution of heat on the pads. Once they are hardened, you can brake anyway you want. If you don't do this, they are still soft and will crumble (leading to a non flat surface) and when you break, you'll get brake pulsation.

11-28-2006, 12:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
§€NTiN€L Civilian Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 14	sounds like a very noob question for electronic engineers here .... but can someone explain what this "burning in" means? Is it like burning an amp design onto an FPGA kind of thing?