2010 PEACHTREE REGIONAL

[Al Skierkiewicz]

On the breaker, we should start a different thread in Electrical I think. The breaker problem I have seen in the past is due to a manufacturing error. As the parts are resistance welded, one of the contacts is welded out of alignment. Since the breaker is a bi-metal disk formed in a particular way to stay in contact until heated, this misalignment has changed it's shape. Although it passes testing, slight vibration causes the breaker contacts to separate. As a defect, the problem exists from the very beginning so a breaker that has made it through several matches and practice does not fall into this category. These breakers all fall subject to the tapping of the release button.
The base structure of the breaker is bakelite or similar material. If a crack develops in the base, the parts pull out of alignment inside the breaker and it becomes subject to electrical failure with movement. Hard hits to the robot frame coming off the bump could damage the breaker. Ed Sparks, I doubt a breaker mounted on polycarbonate could be damaged in this way but hardware may have been over tightened or something could have hit the breaker. In reading over the thread again, it was posted that the robot never stopped monitoring +12 volts throughout the match, so I am confused as to the report of a bad breaker.
Ed Barker and others, you can easily open a suspect breaker by drilling through the rivets that hold it together. This will reveal the internal contacts and spring action. If you find something interesting, I would like to see it in Atlanta.