Homebrew PCBs

Hi,

I spent a few tormenting hours tonight battling with my PIC programmer
(a JDM clone), checking everything from the programming app right down
to voltage levels and calibration on the programmer itself.

Strangely, after dozens of attempts, it came right (with no changes made
to hardware or software) and I'm happily programming again.

The only possible cause I can think of is a dirty ZIF socket.

Has anyone had trouble with ZIF sockets? If so, is there a recommended
way to clean them?

Cheers
David

David McNab wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> I spent a few tormenting hours tonight battling with my PIC programmer
> (a JDM clone), checking everything from the programming app right down
> to voltage levels and calibration on the programmer itself.
> 
> Strangely, after dozens of attempts, it came right (with no changes made
> to hardware or software) and I'm happily programming again.
> 
> The only possible cause I can think of is a dirty ZIF socket.
> 
> Has anyone had trouble with ZIF sockets?

Sometimes.

> If so, is there a recommended
> way to clean them?

Put a chip in and clamp down the lever.

Push the chip back and forth sideways (push hard) so that the pins
slide and grind along the contacts holding them.