Identify a component

[Dexter]

Guys, can anybody identify what this is for me, I managed to blow one but don't know what to order to replace it!

Ta

[2600]

100UF Tantalum Capacitor

[MonMotha]

That is a tantalum capacitor.  Value is 10x10^7pF = 100uF.  The 'D' is probably a voltage rating code, but those can vary by manufacturer.  If you know where it's at in the circuit, you can probably infer a voltage rating (go higher if in doubt).  Depending on where it is and what it's used for, you may need to specify a "low ESR" or "surge robust" type.

I can't tell the case size from the picture.  It's a reasonably large one.  Just measure it to match.  Remember that tantalums are polarized, so make sure you install the replacement properly.

[protokatie]

Does anyone have a good guide to reading circuit boards? I know the basics (C is cap, D is Diode, etc), but a link to a comprehensive guide might be good for the forum as a whole.

[Dexter]

Brilliant guys thanks.

What do you reckon the chances are of the chips on the board still being in good working order after it blowing??

[MonMotha]

Does anyone have a good guide to reading circuit boards? I know the basics (C is cap, D is Diode, etc), but a link to a comprehensive guide might be good for the forum as a whole.

Note that all these prefixes are totally arbitrary and are chosen (generally) by the circuit designer.  However, they are reasonably common and standarized.  Some are also required to be right (R, C, L) if the circuit is run through the SPICE simulator.

Here's at least some common ones:

C - Capacitor (CT or even TC is very occasionally used to specify a tantalum capacitor)
CN or CON - Connector
D - Diode
FB - Ferrite Bead (a type of inductor, so L is also sometimes used)
F or LF - Sometimes used for an integrated, multi-component filter (e.g. a capacitor with ferrites on its legs)
J - Jumper (wire or 0ohm "resistor") or sometimes a connector
L - Inductor or coil
M - MOSFET (sometimes Q is also used for MOSFETs)
P - Connector
Q - Transistor (bipolar junction or field effect)
R - Resistor
S or SW - Switch
T - Transformer, coupled coil structure or very occasionally transistor
U - Integrated circuit
VR - Variable resistor or potentiometer (R is also frequently used)
V - Vacuum tube
W - Wire jumper or sometimes an inductor
X or Y - Crystal

[MonMotha]

What do you reckon the chances are of the chips on the board still being in good working order after it blowing??

Depends on why it blew up.  I wouldn't bet on it, though.  Semiconductors tend to be less tolerant than passives like capacitors.

Believe it or not, however, I have a Midway Seattle board running Blitz where I accidentally had swapped +12V and -5V that still works.  I blew up a couple of tantalum caps (which is how I knew something was wrong), but the semiconductors survived.  I was likely aided by the fact that all the stuff on those rails are big, power analog stuff and not digital stuff like you usually find on the 5V rail.

[Dexter]

Depends on why it blew up.  

I was rewiring my home cinema and plugged the wrong power supply plug into my xtreamer. There was a bang, some smoke and a nice little burning smell!

Not the smartest thing I've ever done.....

[DaOld Man]

Let the smoke out of it?
Its amazing how much smoke is stored in those little things.

[SavannahLion]

Depends on why it blew up.  

I was rewiring my home cinema and plugged the wrong power supply plug into my xtreamer. There was a bang, some smoke and a nice little burning smell!

Not the smartest thing I've ever done.....

That is a strong argument for labeling the wiring and what goes with what. Even using brown masking tape or twist ties is better than nothing.