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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: Eszett on Mon, 06 March 2017, 16:28:13

Title: Testing my PCB prototype. Weird phenomenon ...
Post by: Eszett on Mon, 06 March 2017, 16:28:13
Hi! While testing my PCB with AquakeyTest.exe I encountered some weird phenomenon: I'm shorting each switch footprint's pads with tweezers to see in Aquakeytest.exe whether each switch actuates properly or not. Here is what I got for shorting the keys W, E, R:
(https://puu.sh/uxbbs/3a751b3a1c.png)


"W" actuates W+A, "E" actuates E+S, "R" actuates R+D, ie. the next switch below in the same column is actuated too. It happens not always, but most of the time. How can that be? Do you know this phenomenon and what is the cause? and how can I solve it? :'( Update: When I change the tweezers by a jumper cable, the phenomenon is gone, and there is no "double actuation" anymore.
Title: Re: Testing my PCB prototype. Weird phenomenon ...
Post by: TalkingTree on Mon, 06 March 2017, 16:46:16
Taking the wildest of guesses, I would think of a faulty diode.
Perhaps a close up picture of the PCB area could help.
Title: Re: Testing my PCB prototype. Weird phenomenon ...
Post by: Eszett on Mon, 06 March 2017, 17:01:19
Hi tree man! Your guess gets me to an idea. I could replace the diodes on the PCB (they were aseembled by the china fab, maybe some cheap noname ones) by some of my Mini-Melf diodes I have lying around here! That should give more information..
Title: Re: Testing my PCB prototype. Weird phenomenon ...
Post by: Findecanor on Mon, 06 March 2017, 17:13:13
Check the traces and diodes with probes on a multimeter. That should allow you to pinpoint where the fault is.
Title: Re: Testing my PCB prototype. Weird phenomenon ...
Post by: TalkingTree on Mon, 06 March 2017, 17:16:45
I could replace the diodes on the PCB
Sure, at least the ones on W, E and R.
Keep me posted, I'm curious.
Title: Re: Testing my PCB prototype. Weird phenomenon ...
Post by: Eszett on Mon, 06 March 2017, 17:44:48
Findecanor & TalkingTree: Ye, will apply the multimeter tomorrow, then I can report.