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MRH620
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Looking for EPROM Labels

03/13/2013 11:49 AM

I have to reprogram some old EPROM chips (27C020) and need to find the window covering labels that are UV proof (metal foil) and permanent self adhesive. Can anybody point me in a direction to find this item. I've searched several of the electronic warehouse stores and can't find them.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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RAMConsult
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#1

Re: Looking for EPROM Labels

03/13/2013 1:09 PM

It may be time to improvise, a pair of scissors and this:

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MRH620
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#2
In reply to #1

Re: Looking for EPROM Labels

03/13/2013 1:12 PM

Actually thought of using black electrical tape as a fall back. I think it would perform better than duct tape.

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RAMConsult
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#3
In reply to #2

Re: Looking for EPROM Labels

03/13/2013 1:21 PM

That's not ordinary duct tape, it has a foil layer and very aggressive adhesive. I know that some, but not all, UL listed electrician's tapes are UV resistant, but I don't know if UV is totally stopped by those. You could always use aluminum foil held in place by the black tape.

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MRH620
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#4
In reply to #3

Re: Looking for EPROM Labels

03/13/2013 1:51 PM

Yeah, I've actually got a small 2"x2" peice of foil right here next to me just in case! I would really like to get the real thing though, because I want to use these chips as master reference backups for updating other units.

I didn't realize the duct tape you pictured was UV resistant, just thought it was the 'Garage Engineer' solution like on the "Red Green Show". Another of those 1001 uses of duct tape (or super glue, depending on case).

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lyn
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#5

Re: Looking for EPROM Labels

03/13/2013 2:16 PM

Aluminum Foil Tape :3M US

I'm not sure black tape, and many plastics, will filter Uv.

Or, 322 1-57/64 in. x 150 ft. Aluminum Foil Tape-3220020500 at The ...
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Tobugrynbak
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#6

Re: Looking for EPROM Labels

03/13/2013 3:45 PM

Good luck with erasing the "old" eproms. You may find that they have become "ROMs" if they are older than say 6 years.

Eproms that are in service for very long periods of time will become very difficult to erase properly. Make sure the erasure window is scrupilously clean.

As for labels, go to your local news agent or office supplies, get a box of "Sticky Dots" or square lables. More than adequate for the job. while not absolutely impervious to UV, they will be up to the task. The data sheet mentions "opaque lables".

27c020 data sheet

I have worked for many firms that have used this method, albeit the eproms were not exposed to the elements in service.

Eproms require a certain wavelength of UV for proper erasure, though you can leave them exposed to the sun for a couple of days, (nice bright sunny days). Some flouresent lights will also emit the right wavelength of UV which will cause corruption of the programmed data if exposed for long periods.

The data sheet has a section on eprom erasure.

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MRH620
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#7
In reply to #6

Re: Looking for EPROM Labels

03/13/2013 4:00 PM

I've got a UV lamp (8 watts) with selectable wavelengths. I set it to 254 nm (spec is 253.7 nm for erasing EPROMs) and let them sit for 2 hours with about 20 mm spacing to the top of the chips. Put them in the SpeedPro-3000A for a blank check and all good!

The chips have already been programmed and have the foil/electrical tape combo, and I have the image files backed-up on the computer and the server. I would still like to get the proper labels though.

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KeepItSimpleStupid
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#8

Re: Looking for EPROM Labels

03/13/2013 10:26 PM

That wasn't hard at all: http://www.newark.com/te-connectivity/12100/label-eprom-pcb-pk500/dp/07WX0809
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MRH620
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#14
In reply to #8

Re: Looking for EPROM Labels

03/14/2013 9:32 AM

I would really like to know the search term used to find this! I had checked that distributor (along with several others), and come up empty. Using the link provided, I looked at the manufacturer results in the same category and found the perfect label. The part# for the (same manufacturer) is 12102, has the correct sizing for my application, and according to the spec sheet is UV opaque.

Thanks to all who responded with suggestions and insight, and I believe this answers my question completely.

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jimmyjoejetter
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#9

Re: Looking for EPROM Labels

03/13/2013 11:24 PM

I used to get little Red and Blue Spots or they looked like spots. They were just adheasive paper with color. I used to use them on Modem EPROMs They are used for color Marking pages or the lip that sticks out or Tabs on Papers or Folders. Now. These are NOT UV Proff but most UV rays will not make it through the quarts based glass window on an EPROM. My point being UV Erasable Eproms Need a spacific Wavelength of UV that is emanated from the SUN but will not make it though the atmaspheare. Thus the UV Lights that are made for ereassing These type of EPROMs have a spacific Wave Length and that wavelenght is very high into the UV Range to the edge of what are called soft X-RAYs. They are very Bad for us thus stay the hell away from those lights. They are not the same as TANING booth lights. Anyway It does not take to much to make sure. The little Spot colored labels were more than enough. But Even if you do not put anything on the EPROM and live near the Equator at High Elevation it would still take over a month or two to even Begin to have an effect on some of the addresses. In short. Do not get too worried about it. Also Using ANY Metal type tape is asking fro Trouble. We had one idiot try to sue us as he SAID the Metal Tape we had been using fell off when the Modem got hot and shorted out some of the conductors on the motherboard and destroyed it. So unless you are going to use this outside with the lid off of what ever it is I would not do more than just paper based stickers or labels are all that is needed. If you do not trust me program a set. Test it and make sure it runs. Put it outside where it will get pleanty of sun light. Then every few days go check it out and see if it still works. And it wil. The farther north you are the less likely ANY of the wavelength will make it to the prom even with noting on it. UVB for example that is needed to your skin to make Vitaman D will not make it trough the attmosphear from about OCT to MARCH. Even on a clear sunny say it just can not make it. How far north. Well a good rule of thumb is 40th Paralel. A simple way to get an idea where that is . Draw a line from the top boarder of the state of CA to Boston MA. Now. It is easyer for UVB to make it than the wave lengh used by EPROM Erasers. In short. Get a label that is not conductive or has a problem with heat and do not worry. Or test it as I stated. You will see. ERPOMs are pretty Stable. Also every eprom I have ever seen is available with and without the window for ERASING. They are pretty good for use where there may be an EMP. They can take a great deal of electiclal power without cuasing harm. Good for Hardend systems. We had one case where a new person on the assemly line installed the EPROM Backwards. This caused 12V to hit the tiny smaller than a hair leads that connect the chip to the legs to get so hot as to put off so much light that it lighted up the inside of the External Modem with such a bright light that the casing was not able to stop it. The whole thing glowed. We were all wondering what the heck was this. We thought it was a joke or something. Anyway we took the lid off and found even with the cover over the Window and the case over the whole board the EPROM conductor was puting out so bright a light as it hurt to look at after we opened it up. I figured the EPROM was toast. But I unpluged it. Turned it around. Fired it up and it worked just fine. I ran it thought the tester that took two days and tested several hundred Modems at a time and it passed all tests. I just wanted to see what it would do. I replaced the EPROM just in case it had weakended it and shiped it out. It never came back nor was there ever a support call for that Serial Number. So that should give you some idea how good an old fashoned EPROM is. It is also cool to sell them when you have an upgrade to new and cool featurs for firmware. Just for fun. what are you making. Jim Hope that helps. Jim
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Rixter
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#15
In reply to #9

Re: Looking for EPROM Labels

03/14/2013 9:48 AM

We had one case where a new person on the assemly line installed the EPROM Backwards.

I recall many years ago, I installed a 2716 backwards, forward biasing the substrate. I wasn't so lucky. I could see through the quartz window that the wire going to the ground lead had two blobs of gold and a space in between. That was back when they were $25 apiece and that was my hobby.

Fortunately, I had a back up of the data.
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lyn
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#16
In reply to #15

Re: Looking for EPROM Labels

03/14/2013 11:27 AM

The year was 1969. I was given an experimental (expensive) DIP and the boss wanted the chip and 12-15 wires coated.

Being new to civilization (fresh off the farm) I didn't see any wires, so I proceeded to BRUSH conformal coating over the entire assembly, wires and all.

The next day, my boss and I looked at the remains of the device under a microscope. Yep, there were wires there alright.

"Next time, use the microscope", was all he said.

I managed to last 20 more years with that company.
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Andy Germany
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#10

Re: Looking for EPROM Labels

03/14/2013 6:11 AM

I agree fully that the window needs protecting against UV intrusion till its installed, but are you also saying that this chip in its normal position is exposed to UV in some form or another? If true, that is a very bad design.

All the ones I ever programmed were in a PCB/socket, that was in some form of equipment that shielded the PCBs from all forms of light!!! I never saw a system that left them otherwise exposed in normal usage.....

Also, I do believe the tubes in which they were carried, even though "see-thru" were designed to stop UV light as they were "tinted".....(could be wrong on that point!)

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MRH620
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#12
In reply to #10

Re: Looking for EPROM Labels

03/14/2013 9:04 AM

This firmware replaces the operational chips with a test-only (non-operational) menu based program that allows for testing, troubleshooting, and adjusting of the unit. They will be more like tools that sit on the bench until installed in a unit when needed, then removed and replaced with the operational firmware. Otherwise, I agree most units block the light out well enough to use other means.

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Andy Germany
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#13
In reply to #12

Re: Looking for EPROM Labels

03/14/2013 9:20 AM

AH! Thanks for the belated explanation.

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Jens
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#11

Re: Looking for EPROM Labels

03/14/2013 8:24 AM

Hi,

I programmed a lot of eproms.

I used electric tape on the eproms. I never have any trouble,

they never lost a single bit or byte.

But my eproms (on the circuitboard) were always inside a cabinet or a box

Jens
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Andy Germany (2); Jens (1); jimmyjoejetter (1); KeepItSimpleStupid (1); lyn (2); MRH620 (5); RAMConsult (2); Rixter (1); Tobugrynbak (1)

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