>> The tantalums have built-in reverse polarity indication. >> If you see a red flame ball about 20 cm diameter scorching >> everything around then it means you put it in backwards. >> The overvoltage indication is similar but has a shorter delay. > >And it automatically removes itself from the circuit! but on a serious note, a colleague of mine very nearly lost an eye when a tear drop tantalum in a piece of new equipment that was DOA, flew up just as he leaned over it to look for the trouble while the power was still on. Luckily it flew past his ear, and the equipment was suddenly not DOA anymore. -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist