As for my omission of bypass caps, that was lack of experience.

I did provide what I thought was back EMF spike protection using
a 15V zener diode to the common supply pin of the ULN2803, but I
forgot to mention this in my initial post. :(

Is a single zener sufficient or appropriate?

Thanks again,

Gustaf

> -----Original Message-----
> From: pic microcontroller discussion list
> [mailto:PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU]On Behalf Of Rick C.
> Sent: Friday, February 27, 2004 6:47 AM
> To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> Subject: Re: [EE:] Release of magic smoke
>
>
> Was there a reason for not providing bypass and spike protection
> for the PIC?
> Rick
>
> "Gustaf J. Barkstrom" wrote:
>
> > One of my 16F84A's just died after some high duty-cycle running
> of stepper
> > motors.
>
> > The entire circuit, including motors, is using the same 5+/GND regulated
> > power supply. PIC is RC clocked, and the power/gnd pins are not
> bypassed on
> > either the PIC or the line buffer/drivers.
>
> > I touched the PIC and about got a 2nd degree burn.
> >
>
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