That's a violation . . . .

[ZenGum]

I've heard from a computer repair tech that most electronics are a good chance to survive contact with pure water provided you get the power off before any shorting occurs. Plain coffee is also not so bad, but sugar and especially milk are usually fatal.

Looks like you rolled a natural 20 on that one, Steve. Good work on the quick rescue!

[tw]

Originally Posted by ZenGum

I've heard from a computer repair tech that most electronics are a good chance to survive contact with pure water provided you get the power off before any shorting occurs.

Too many know without first learning how electronics are even made. Once a PC board is assembled, a dishwasher cleans the electronics. Water is not destructive to electronics - despite popular myth. However electronics (due to those low currents) can temporarily fail if powered when still wet.

Keyboards are a perfect example. That soft plastic membrane means water remains trapped and conducting electricity. Remove the cover, wash electronics in clean water, and dry. Then electronics should work OK.

These well understood concepts are not understood when one does not learn why. Many assume water destroys electronics. Then make another assumption - declare that mistake as a fact.

Coffee in a keyboard (even with sugar) is not destructive. Coffee creates a temporary problem that (unfortunately) requires significant labor and some basic knowledge. Hardest part is removing the moisture and other contaminates.

Again, how do we clean newly soldered electronics? Wash it in water. Water is not destructive once myths are exposed by simple questions such as 'Why?'.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by tw

Again, how do we clean newly soldered electronics?

When I was fabricating boards way back when, we cleaned them with alcohol.

[xoxoxoBruce]

So they wouldn't be fluxed up.