How do I know if a PIC is dead ?


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  1. #1
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    Default How do I know if a PIC is dead ?

    Hi,

    How do you guys test to see if a PIC is burnt ? Im using a PIC16F877A with the WinPic800 programmer. The programmer can detect, read and write onto the PIC as usual.

    The reason I ask this is because I accidentally connected around 8-10V into the Vref pin of port A, and Im worried that I might have fried it. It was only for a very short while though, like for one second..

    Also, will only certain ports be dead, or will the whole PIC be dead ?

    Thanks everyone.
    Last edited by rngd; - 7th March 2008 at 19:16.

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by rngd View Post
    Hi,
    How do you guys test to see if a PIC is burnt ? Im using a PIC16F877A with the WinPic800 programmer. The programmer can detect, read and write onto the PIC as usual.
    The reason I ask this is because I accidentally connected around 8-10V into the Vref pin of port A, and Im worried that I might have fried it. It was only for a very short while though, like for one second..
    Also, will only certain ports be dead, or will the whole PIC be dead ?
    Thanks everyone.
    I would think that what you did wouldn't kill the PIC...and if it did hurt it, it's probably just that particular pin/port.

    In my experience, killing an entire PIC is fairly hard, especially the 16F series. I think I've killed one PIC in the last XX years, probably due to this lightning strike that went from my finger tips to the PICs pins after walking across a carpet.

  3. #3
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    Hi rngd, If you have a suspected dead PIC try erasing it several times, this sometimes works.
    If you do not believe in MAGIC, Consider how currency has value simply by printing it, and is then traded for real assets.
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  4. #4
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    OK, so I guess its probably not dead then. Thanks.
    Last edited by rngd; - 8th March 2008 at 12:43.

  5. #5
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    Wink

    Rngd,
    For times like these (suspect RIP pic) I load it with a very simple LED blinky program which flashes all the ports on and off. If that works than I know that the pic is OK.
    ;P

    Squib

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Squibcakes View Post
    Rngd,
    For times like these (suspect RIP pic) I load it with a very simple LED blinky program which flashes all the ports on and off. If that works than I know that the pic is OK.
    ;P
    Squib
    Amazing how it always goes back to ol' blinky isn't it?

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by skimask View Post
    Amazing how it always goes back to ol' blinky isn't it?
    Ya.. It's a good basic beginner, and testing code

  8. #8


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    If you did something to the Vref pin, you only may have messed up the analog circuitry. I would do an LED check of the specific pin you overvoltaged. Also was the voltage directly on the pin or through a series resistor? The resistor would have probably protected the pin.
    Tim Barr

  9. #9
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    Overvoltage with no current limiter is more or less a bulletproof way to fry a pin on a pic. I've never seen the entire pic beeing fried from it though.

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