Orange 35RT

Amp Mad Scientist said:
Normally for analog circuits, they don't use ESD protection or wrist straps.
If it was digital then it would be more advisable.
True diodes and LEDs are static sensitive but not as much as CMOS or FET transistors, and it's usually ignored in that type production.
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You can clearly see ICs on the circuit cards in the video.
 
Don O said:
You can clearly see ICs on the circuit cards in the video.
Click to expand...

Not all IC's are made with a metal-oxide semiconductor process that's the most sensitive to ESD.

It's my understanding that the vast majority of analog IC's are BJT (bipolar transistor) technology internally which are not very sensitive to electrostatic discharge.

Only the metal oxide layer in (N/P)MOS IC's / FETs suffers from ESD. Then again, digital IC's can be BJT too but this is quite rare these days.

I would think Orange has enough experience in amplifier assembly to make the call if ESD protection is needed or not. If it isn't needed, you shouldn't half-ass it with having a strap "just in case", as the charges form everywhere else than on your hands as well, for example on work surfaces.

For proper ESD working space you would need in addition:
  • ESD protective table surfaces
  • ESD protective flooring
  • ESD protective clothing
  • Soldering iron tip grounded to the ESD grounding point, ESD-safe tools otherwise
  • Personnel grounding testers when entering the separate ESD-safe assembly space
  • Probably something else as well?
EDIT: actually, looking at the Orange schematics that can be found online, it does seem like there are discrete FET's and opamps with FET input stages (and the poweramp modules also have MOSFETs in them). So maybe there should be some ESD protection. But anyway, just the strap isn't enough for an industrial application.
 
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aon said:
Not all IC's are made with a metal-oxide semiconductor process that's the most sensitive to ESD.

It's my understanding that the vast majority of analog IC's are BJT (bipolar transistor) technology internally which are not very sensitive to electrostatic discharge.

Only the metal oxide layer in (N/P)MOS IC's / FETs suffers from ESD. Then again, digital IC's can be BJT too but this is quite rare these days.

I would think Orange has enough experience in amplifier assembly to make the call if ESD protection is needed or not. If it isn't needed, you shouldn't half-ass it with having a strap "just in case", as the charges form everywhere else than on your hands as well, for example on work surfaces.

For proper ESD working space you would need in addition:
  • ESD protective table surfaces
  • ESD protective flooring
  • ESD protective clothing
  • Soldering iron tip grounded to the ESD grounding point, ESD-safe tools otherwise
  • Personnel grounding testers when entering the separate ESD-safe assembly space
  • Probably something else as well?
EDIT: actually, looking at the Orange schematics that can be found online, it does seem like there are discrete FET's and opamps with FET input stages (and the poweramp modules also have MOSFETs in them). So maybe there should be some ESD protection. But anyway, just the strap isn't enough for an industrial application.
Click to expand...
Aon, I worked in the aerospace/defense/medical industry for 43 years and am very aware of ESD protection. ESD protection in production requires many layers as you have noted some. These cost money and some companies take their chances (beat counters vs warranty costs). Having the right equipment is a must, but the number one priority is training. Every engineer and all the production were required to take ESD training every year.
 
Don O said:
You can clearly see ICs on the circuit cards in the video.
Click to expand...

ICs are not necessarily digital ICs.
Almost all of the ICs used in guitar amps are analog ICs. These do not require static protection.
The reverb and effects loop is normally analog.
One exception is sometimes built-in effects which could be digital in some amps.
(we don't know if the reverb in this amp is spring or digital)

If an amp has FET transistors, just about everybody ignores the need for static protection.
Although technically they should be using precautions...
And a lot of times FETs have protection as part of the circuit. Although it doesn't always protect so well.
 
Orange cranks these thinks out by the (literal) boat load. Imma guess they have the slinging them together part of the equation worked out pretty well.
 
Nice Session, Orange TH30 is the amp that finalized our latest CD. The OR15 is my fav dirt amp ever. I don't get get caught up in the whatevers anymore..just what sounds good
 
BFT Gibson said:
Nice Session, Orange TH30 is the amp that finalized our latest CD. The OR15 is my fav dirt amp ever. I don't get get caught up in the whatevers anymore..just what sounds good
Click to expand...
I do know a guitar player, graduate of GIT, who loves the Orange SS amps.
And I think he's weary of dinking with maintenance on tube amps in general....
 
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