"Meat Plow" wrote in message
news
On Mon, 05 Feb 2007 04:02:47 -0800, wylbur37 Has Frothed:

During the winter season, outside temperatures can go down to 10
degrees Farenheit or lower.

Since many people carry their laptop computers to and from work
each day, I was wondering whether exposure to cold temperatures
can damage computer components or circuit boards.

My guess is that 10 degrees F is probably not cold enough to cause
damage, and that any temperature-related damage is probably caused by
too rapid a change in temperature (cracking as a result of expansion
and contraction).

Am I correct on this?

If 10 degrees F is not cold enough, how cold would it have to be for
damage to occur?

What about electronic components in aircraft that are exposed to temps of
up tp -60F?



Ex-military electronics tech here... Almost all electronic assemblies that are
routinely exposed to temperature extremes are conformally coated with a silicone
or urethane "varnish" that keeps the condensate from getting to the PCB and
components on the PCB. Although not impervious to damage from soaking in salt
water or corrosive atmospheres, it does an admirable job in keeping the
equipment running.
The components are also rated to operate within specs at those temperature
extremes. The mil temperature range is -55C to +125C, which is easily
experienced by equipment in aircraft and land-based mobile equipment.
That's one reason why military equipment and components cost more.

In contrast, equipment and components that are rated for automotive service are
rated for higher temperatures as well, but not to the extremes of military
components. If memory serves, the industrial/automotive temperature range
is -40C to +85C. Conformal coatings and potting are methods used to protect
components and equipment used in those environments. The relative reliability
of present-day automotive electronics over those of 20 years ago is a testament
to the advances in component and assembly construction.

The commercial temperature range (including consumer electronics) is 0C to 70C.
Most PCs are constructed with commercial grade components. 0C is 32F, so you
can draw your own conclusions as to the reliability of a PC at sub-zero temps.
That's not to say that they won't work, but you shouldn't be surprised if they
don't. If a PC (or laptop) has been exposed to sub-freezing temps long enough
for all the components to acquiesce to the surrounding temperature, then it
would be prudent to allow it to thoroughly warm up to room temperature before
turning it on.
Condensation is a problem in those instances, since the internal components and
PCB are not protected by a conformal coating. True enough, most PCBs have a
solder mask that does a pretty good job at protecting the traces, the protection
does not extend to the components.

Cheers!!!
--
Dave M
MasonDG44 at comcast dot net (Just substitute the appropriate characters in the
address)

Some days you're the dog, some days the hydrant.