What Is This Mysterious Component on My PCB?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying a mysterious component on a printed circuit board (PCB). Participants explore various hypotheses regarding the nature and function of the component, including its potential as a crystal, programmable oscillator, common mode choke, or transformer. The conversation includes suggestions for further investigation and analysis of the component.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the component may be a crystal, indicated by its labeling (fcc13, fcc14).
  • Others suggest it could be a programmable oscillator, noting that the similar markings imply different programming options.
  • A participant mentions the possibility of finding a schematic or user guide for the board to aid in identification.
  • One participant recommends measuring resistance between output pins to gather more information about the component's function.
  • Another viewpoint suggests that the component might be a common mode choke or transformer, based on its appearance and testing for continuity.
  • There is a discussion about whether the component is a surface mount crystal or an SMT part, with differing opinions on its physical characteristics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the identity of the component, with no consensus reached on its exact nature or function.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the component's function depend on its physical characteristics, which are not definitively established in the discussion. The potential for confusion arises from the component's labeling and appearance, as well as the lack of a schematic.

bigshow1977
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Hi

I'm having problems identifying a component on a PCB and i was wondering if anyone here could shed some light on what this device is...


http://db.tt/i1V3uqZf

Anyhelp is appreciated

Rgds


Phil
 
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my guess is its a crystal and the labeling of fcc13 fcc14 ... kind of indicates that
 
if you know what the board is you might be able to get a schematic online or a user guide.
 
bigshow1977 said:
Hi

I'm having problems identifying a component on a PCB and i was wondering if anyone here could shed some light on what this device is...


http://db.tt/i1V3uqZf

Anyhelp is appreciated

Rgds


Phil

jedishrfu said:
my guess is its a crystal and the labeling of fcc13 fcc14 ... kind of indicates that

I think you are right about it being a frequency source, but my guess would be a programmable oscillator. Especially since they all have the same overall marking, the difference would be in how they are programmed.

This is a similar part:

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?lang=en&site=us&KeyWords=AP3S3EJ-ND

When ordering it from Digikey, you tell them what frequency you want them programmed to. I recently ordered some at 38.4000MHz, and the other was 39.3216MHz.
 
berkeman said:
I think you are right about it being a frequency source, but my guess would be a programmable oscillator. Especially since they all have the same overall marking, the difference would be in how they are programmed.

This is a similar part:

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?lang=en&site=us&KeyWords=AP3S3EJ-ND

When ordering it from Digikey, you tell them what frequency you want them programmed to. I recently ordered some at 38.4000MHz, and the other was 39.3216MHz.

I think you nailed it. the device looks remarkably similar to the OP's picture.
 
You could narrow the search a bit by measuring the resistance from each output pin to the other pins on one of these devices.

Draw up a diagram of the resistances, if any, that you find.

Also note how each of those things are connected to each other via the printed circuit board. Do the power supply lines seem to go through all of them?

The FCC bit makes it sound like an interference filter. FCC is the American Govt agency that deals with radio interference, among other things.
 
bigshow1977 said:
Hi

I'm having problems identifying a component on a PCB and i was wondering if anyone here could shed some light on what this device is...


http://db.tt/i1V3uqZf

Anyhelp is appreciated

Rgds


Phil

Looks like a common mode choke or transformer.

Take a multimeter and test for continuity between the pins. If it beeps between any 2 pins it's either a transformer or choke.


@Berkemen, are you sure it's a Surface mount crystal?
The part in the ckt, looks more like a plastic box than a SMD component.
 
likephysics said:
@Berkemen, are you sure it's a Surface mount crystal?
The part in the ckt, looks more like a plastic box than a SMD component.

Yeah, looks like an SMT part to me from that view. Kind of similar to an SO-8 package, but with only 4 leads. I could be wrong, of course.
 

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