Tech Square

Refrigerating/Freezing Electronics

24.61.125.232

stakkall

We just purchased a dual mono set of circuit board w/ resistor based attenuators for our monoblocks. They are stored until the technician who works on our amps. is available to install them.

Given the heat and humidity in our area: would someone please guide me on the benefits or detriments of storing these instruments in a refrigerator or perhaps the freezer. Would storing them in the freezer -- as opposed to the relatively milder temps. of the fridge -- potentially crack the plastic circuit board or threaten resistor integrity?

Thank you for your technical expertise and happy listening!

Thank you,
SomuT

Courtesy of Marchand Electronics Inc. (Open in New Window)

Follow Ups:

RE: Refrigerating/Freezing Electronics - GPBobby 04:14:56 10/22/08 (0)
Fresh out of high school I got a job with Sperry in their environmental testing lab. We froze components and boards, roasted them, sprayed water on them, vibrated them -- you name it.

Many completed devices (computers, amps, etc...) have a published operating temperature range and a storage temperature range, usually accompanied with humidity specs as well. The components that are temperature sensitive in a potentially destructive way are primarily solid state devices and capacitors.

Resistor values have a temperature coefficient, i.e., the actual resistance is dependent upon its temperature, but for normal operating environments it can usually be ignored. Storing your attenuators in a freezer accomplishes nothing except subjecting all the parts to the mechanical stress of the extreme temperature change. I wouldn't put mine there.

Robert
RE: Refrigerating/Freezing Electronics - stakkall 04:59:13 06/28/08 (0)
Thank you for your contributions gentlemen. I think I was experiencing the symptoms of tunnel vision during the time I thought about and posted this inquiry. Sad as it might sound, roughly 90% of my time delving in audio is doing research on high-end equipment, and about 10% of my time is spent listening to our own system => tunnel vision.

I did, however, go to a batting cage yesterday for a change of perspective (struck out on 75% of the pitches). Anyhow, thank you gentlemen and pleasant listening.
Thank you,
SomuT
What's the point? - Tweekeng 19:43:08 06/27/08 (0)
When these are installed are you going to keep your amp in the freezer?

Probably not.

Does your amp contain an environmental control system to keep it's internal components at some optimal temperature and humidity?

I am guessing again probably not?

Just keep them in a box on your shelf so they don't get dusty.
The component manufacturers should give a storage temp range. - Ugly 15:40:28 06/27/08 (0)
Most manufacturers will also give assembly storage instructions byut these will of course be based on the worst case range of the components within the assembly.

I have never run accross any component whos manufacturer explicitely recomends storing them in the fridge or freezer but I can't say that I've ever dealt with any "high end" potentiometers either.

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