>On Sun, 10 Jan 1999 11:02:55 +0100 Morgan Olsson <mrt@INAME.COM> writes:
>>>> ..., sometimes the whole IC literally blows up.
>>
>>Sounds like the chip got into latch-up mode.
>
>Or the users are abusing the tester, e.g. connecting it to live circuits.
> A resistor in series with the IC power is a good idea, if it is
>ESD-latchup.  You might also consider making the multiplexer IC's
>user-replaceable. Since 4051's are cheap and widely available, providing
>sockets and writing up a procedure to replace them could save a return to
>the factory after a user "oops".


This and the series resistor with the i/o pins are the two main options I am
considering.

Gabriel


>
>
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