Electronics > Beginners

Easy way to read chip IDs

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Ground_Loop:
Don’t know if this is old trick or not, but anyway I found reading IC numbers is often difficult. So I wipe a very thin coat of heat sink grease across the top and the numbers instantly pop. See before and after image below.

I wanted a rude username:
Another trick is to stick on a piece of transparent Scotch type tape.

AVGresponding:
The heatsink grease trick is quite well known, but works best for laser etched chips.

I must confess I never heard of the sticky-tape (no brand names here!) method before, I'll have to try it.

Another method that can work with older non laser etched chips that have worn markings is to use a different wavelength light source, coupled with a phone camera or webcam. These cameras are sensitive to infra red wavelengths which can be useful.

Be careful around those old eproms if you're using a UV light though!   :-DD

tooki:

--- Quote from: ThickPhilM on December 27, 2019, 10:42:08 pm ---I must confess I never heard of the sticky-tape (no brand names here!) method before, I'll have to try it.

--- End quote ---
I assure you, both Scotch and Tesa brand tapes are readily available in England. I'm also sure you're familiar with the concept of genericized trademarks, like scotch tape and kleenex in USA, and tesa film and hoover in the UK. Ergo, "I wanted a rude username" didn't mean it had to be a specific brand.

(And for sure, there's no rule against brand names on the forum.)

I wanted a rude username:
Yes, referred to it as Scotch type tape because I wasn't sure if "sticky tape" is an Australianism.

Probably any thin transparent foil would work. Cling wrap might be superior for all we know. More testing required.

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