Mike Smith wrote:
> <snip>
>
> >
> >Further to past discussion on destructive testing of PICs (plugging them
> >in backwards, etc.) - my next rainy-day project is to run a '74A/JW up
> >to as high a temperature as it can stand.

<snip>

> How about adding some rated passive load to the outputs, and toggling them
> rapidly?  This would stress the port pins, and increase device dissipation.
>
I've spent years reducing the operating current of my system and you
want me to throw it all away? <g>

Actually, I guess it didn't explain myself very well originally.  (I've
rectified that a bit in a posted reply to Dmitry a few minutes ago.)  I
want to determine what the highest _ambient_ temperature the 74A can
survive, not what self-generated heat it can stand.  When I mentioned
testing all its functional blocks, I was referring to things like the
counters, WDT, USART, etc.  My guess is that the WDT will be the first
to go, since it is RC timed and capacitors (in my experience) tend to be
the most affected by excess heat.

--Matt