A look at the exploded remnants of a Poundland USB charger that clearly didn't enjoy a lightning induced voltage spike between live and neutral.
It's not uncommon for small electronic power supplies to explode when they fail in UK sockets, as they rarely have the protection required to safely break the current available from the power circuit.
I'm going to have to get another of this type of power supply as it's clear it has been redesigned since I took one apart. The early ones had an issue with the output rectifier diode getting too hot and failing when the supply was being run at maximum current.
The new version has got a MOSFET based synchronous rectifier, which acts like a very low voltage-drop diode. That reduces heat and increases efficiency.
The chip is an LP3515. You can find it's manufacturer's page here:-
https://www.chip-hope.com/en/ProductDetail/2989834.html
Although the arc plasma engulfed the output connector, there would be no easy path for the current to take if the phone was lying on an insulated surface, so the phone would survive.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.
It's not uncommon for small electronic power supplies to explode when they fail in UK sockets, as they rarely have the protection required to safely break the current available from the power circuit.
I'm going to have to get another of this type of power supply as it's clear it has been redesigned since I took one apart. The early ones had an issue with the output rectifier diode getting too hot and failing when the supply was being run at maximum current.
The new version has got a MOSFET based synchronous rectifier, which acts like a very low voltage-drop diode. That reduces heat and increases efficiency.
The chip is an LP3515. You can find it's manufacturer's page here:-
https://www.chip-hope.com/en/ProductDetail/2989834.html
Although the arc plasma engulfed the output connector, there would be no easy path for the current to take if the phone was lying on an insulated surface, so the phone would survive.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.
This reminded me of the time lightning hit the maple tree in the back yard when I was watching a match during the 2002 World Cup. My CRT T.V. went a little wonky along one edge and never quite recovered.
They should have had an MOV, looks like they would have good output stability otherwise because of the “polymer looking capacitor and the supposed active rectifier”
I think the voltage spike started an arc in the charger and then when the arc was established the mains current did the rest. That would explain why the circuit breaker tripped also.
Let’s all go to poundtown….. I mean land
I heard that HDMI cables that aren’t properly shielded will blow up a television, just from the EMF of the strike. Have you heard of that?
"Things hit by lighting tend to go quite dramatic"
Tell that some more. Lighting struck TV antenna at my parents summerhouse. The DVB-T decoder that was hooked up to it *literally* blew up! Plastic shrapnels stuck in wooden panels on walls and smokey burn marks covering 2m² of ceiling
in my youth our house was struck by lighting, while we were sitting on the loggia, listening to music. Went straight into the lightning rod. After recovering from the noise and shock of that experience, we found all breakers had tripped – and nothing was damaged. We were so lucky. But it was early nineties, so the amount of electronics was… small.
I can smell this video just fine.
I am always taken aback how dangerous UK voltages are, and how big and safe your plugs are. The purple one looks like a Fisher-Price childrens' toy.
Great videos! Thank you.
I'm not fond of those little rectangular fuses, they're usually rated for a paltry 100A maximum interrupt capacity. Hence why they spew soot ALL OVER the place, even when on 120VAC applications. That could defeat the purpose of the fuse to begin with, as the carbon is slightly conductive!
Blowed up real good…
Omg that voice ….. so calming yet informative
"Has the Fuse survived"
Me: Well, it isn't an apple product, so I'd say no…
All electronic runs on smoke, when the smoke gets out-the electronic do not work anymore.. 🙂