Hi, I noticed a pcb which had some pads with sawtooth edges. Any idea what they are for. Are they spark gaps?
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<LINK_TEXT text=“http://img258.imagevenue.com/loc524/th_ … _524lo.jpg”>http://img258.imagevenue.com/loc524/th_740172596_sawtoothpcb_122_524lo.jpg</LINK_TEXT>](ImageVenue.com - 740172596_sawtoothpcb_122_524lo.jpg)
My guess is it is for some kind of precise signal generation. Perhaps spark gaps. I’d try to find an original schematic if possible and trace it out to determine the actual reason.
That looks like a switching power supply, with the pads in question across the x and y capacitors. I would also guess they are spark gaps for extreme overvoltage.
/mike
Spark gaps would be my guess.