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Why exactly do chips start malfunctioning once they overheat?
Sharptooth asked a very nice question about how does overheat affect electronics. That raised me the question of what does cold weather do to them. Allmost all datasheets define maximum ratings for operational and storage temperatures.
It is understandable that temperature affects semiconductors functioning a lot but can IC's be destroyed by using them in cold conditions?
Best Answer
I've never seen a semiconductor destroyed by cold weather but operating them below their rated temperature can sure cause them to malfunction.
Years ago, we were using one particular brand of 7805 regulator that was rated for use at 0C through 70C. When used outdoors, it functioned as a very nice thermostat and turned OFF at about -20F. The cure was to replace it with a part that was rated to work cold.