Re: Clearing EPROMs: How much time to lay in the sun?

From: Ethan Dicks (ethan.dicks_at_gmail.com)
Date: 2006-07-19 23:51:59

On 7/19/06, William Levak <wlevak@sdf.lonestar.org> wrote:
> My old Rockwell data book says that EPROM's can be erased by exposing to
> UV light for 20 minutes.  It does not say whether to use long or short
> wavelength UV.

It would have to be short wavelength UV.  Long wavelength UV _can_
erase EPROMs, but it takes substantially over 20 minutes.

> UV lights are available at novelty and science supply
> outlets, it does not have to be a dedicated EPROM eraser.

Germicidal UV bulbs - sometimes used for pool-side or RV water
treatment systems are the right wavelength, FWIW.

> If you use one of these other UV lights, be sure to shield your eyes from
> direct exposure to the UV light.  Overexposure to UV light has been
> implicated in glaucoma.

Indeed.  You want a sealed unit that won't leak light when you fire up the bulb.

-ethan

       Message was sent through the cbm-hackers mailing list

Archive generated by hypermail pre-2.1.8.