Author Topic: Radar System Cradle Relay  (Read 2304 times)

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Offline LATECH-EETopic starter

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Radar System Cradle Relay
« on: August 20, 2013, 04:05:58 pm »
Hey everyone, I am a radar systems technician for the US Air Force and I work on a radar from Raytheon called the D.A.S.R. I recently had a 10 Amp relay burn up due to an internal short in the system. I was curious if anyone here knew what the red grease-type material is on the electromagnet's outer lamination. I thought electromagnets did not have any grease inside of them. I was just curious in general, thanks guys!



 

Offline dr.diesel

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Re: Radar System Cradle Relay
« Reply #1 on: August 20, 2013, 04:11:12 pm »
Probably just the enamel off the magnet wire.

Is it really soft like grease or fairly hard?

Offline SeanB

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Re: Radar System Cradle Relay
« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2013, 04:42:15 am »
It could have been wax impregnated after winding for extra environmental protection, which with the heat of the relay being shorted out ( probably the coil was operated with a too high voltage or it was duty cycle limited and operated at 100% for an extended period) reacted with the insulation to make this grease like substance.

If not impregnated then it was the result of the wire enamel being cooked without enough oxygen to burn it, making an organic compound that looks like foam.
 

Offline KJDS

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Re: Radar System Cradle Relay
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2013, 06:23:45 am »
It looks like jam freshly dripped from a doughnut.

Offline Skimask

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Re: Radar System Cradle Relay
« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2013, 06:54:51 am »
Well, of course it's jam.
The radar was jammed!
I didn't take it apart.
I turned it on.

The only stupid question is, well, most of them...

Save a fuse...Blow an electrician.
 

Offline ddavidebor

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Radar System Cradle Relay
« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2013, 08:47:57 am »
That connection point look very goldish!  Stole it stole it :-)
David - Professional Engineer - Medical Devices and Tablet Computers at Smartbox AT
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