<div dir="ltr">I completely agree, opening and closing the case isn't the issue here - precaution is. Maneuvering and working with live circuits is an inherent part of diagnostics and repair, and depending on the device there are infinite ways to cause shorts during routine work. <div><br></div><div>Personally, I'm surprised there's 20 posts of advice in this thread and no one's asked exactly what kind of header/connectors James is working with! Since it's an old arcade cabinet, I'd assume a mix of edge connectors and molex? Immediate advice: put heat shrink over the spade terminal. Any bigger free floating connectors just use larger diameter heat shrink (1" etc) long enough so it doesn't make contact with other parts. If you need to easily remove and re-insulate, some kind of tape. Florian's initial advice is the right move for most friction connector types.</div><div><br></div><div>Think thru the scenarios:</div><div><br><div>If the header is always exposed and could be considered a design flaw or allowed to happen due to other design choices (e.g. you need to have various connectors unsecured in order to work on it), having a way to cover the headers when not in use makes perfect sense. I'd create a dummy connector of the same type (with crimps inserted if needed), and if the connector type doesn't have a cover or covered version available, fill the cable opening with silicone RTV or hot glue. </div><div><br></div><div>If they were left exposed in the course of repair and the risk of shorting is there again... If they're low voltage/current I'd probably just put blue painters tape over them until they're needed again, or some type of Kapton, PTFE, or electrical tape which all have other compromises. If they're higher voltage or current, secure the loose connector as best as possible so it doesn't pose any risk, or create a dummy connector for the exposed header and insulate the openings with hot glue or something. As above, cover any free connectors on cables with appropriately sized heat shrink.</div><div><br></div><div>Nathan</div><div><br></div></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Fri, Sep 6, 2024 at 10:23 AM Florian Anwander <<a href="mailto:fanwander@mnet-online.de" target="_blank">fanwander@mnet-online.de</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><u></u>
<div>
<div>Hello<br>
<br>
Am 06.09.24 um 14:17 schrieb cheater cheater via Synth-diy:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">i'm
still confused as to how unplugging a thing from the wall is too
difficult
</blockquote>
hmmm, when I am repairing a device and I have to do measurements or
trimming, I will have to open and close the lid a hundred times to
change settings on the frontpanel and then get back inside to
continue my measurement. Of course I don't want to unplug or switch
off the device, for each move of the lid...<br>
<br>
Florian<br>
</div>
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