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Protecting E-blocks Circuitry

Where possible leaded components have been used for all devices on E-blocks boards that can be subjected to electrical damage. This means that in the case where devices on the E-blocks boards do become damaged that the task of replacing them is very simple.

Some upstream boards (ARM processor boards and FPGA board) make use of surface mounted technology components which can not be socketed and which are not easy to solder. In these cases we have used smaller daughter board so that if the key device is broken then you can simply order a new daughter board.

To protect upstream components all downstream E-blocks have been developed with protective resistors so that it is not possible to damage an upstream E-block by improperly declaring an input as an output, and having two output pins with different output levels, clash.

However there are circumstances where it will still be possible to electrically damage your E-blocks:

• When using screw terminal connectors and patch/prototype boards and care should be taken with all boards before any wiring is undertaken
• When connecting two upstream boards together with a gender changer or IDC cable then you are connecting one output to another: if possible use protective resistors for the lines you need to connect.
• Although modern chips are less prone to static damage these days you are advised to make sure you are earthed before handling E-blocks circuit boards. If you have not got access to an antistatic wrist band then quickly touching a radiator or other earthed device will minimise the likelyhood of static damage.

Before making any changes to the wiring of your E-blocks system you would be well advised to turn power to the system off.