What Does Smoke Do to Electronic Equipment?

Question

Will smoke caused by a fire damage the parts of an electronic equipment?

Answer 1

Yes.
a) Soot deposits are partly conductive (carbon content), like high-value resistors, and can therefore cause sensitive electronics to malfunction
b) Aggressive (acid based) vapor deposits can cause accelerated corrosion.

Answer 2

Having been involved with electronic circuit design for nearly 50 years, I can say with absolute certainty that smoke is the essential 'magic ingredient' that makes all other components work. As evidence, I offer this observation: If you ever have a circuit problem and one (Ior more) of the components of the circuit ruptures so that all of its 'magic smoke' escapes, that part will never work properly again ☺


Doug

Answer 3

Mostly yes. In some cases where there are no moving parts involved, you may be able to clean it up, but I think those situations are rare. Call the insurance company and get a new one.