Semiconductor Shortage and Amp Repair

Just curious how the shortage has impacted you, your business and what measure have you taken to overcome this?

Just from my end I have bought as much as I can at sometimes three to five times what I normally pay to create a stockpile. And I am more selective of the amps we repair, especially older models which can be parts hogs!
 
I usually keep well enough stock. If its the power supply side and i run out of mosfets and a substitue is available, i will go that route. Sometimes it will require modification to the drive circuit like gate resistor changes or higher current drivers. Usually extra stability testing to ensure everything holds up.

On the audio side of things it becomes a bit more picky on substitutes but if the drive ic is out of stock im out of luck anyways.

Customers are made aware of parts shortage and given the option to wait the lead time from distributors or pay extra for the modifications to support substitutes that are available. Most people dont like waiting and go this route.

Not sure the reason but usually full bridge amps are proving more difficult to find parts for lately.
 
A year they say.

No workers, no containers, everything is in slow motion, a lot of the silicon foundries are closed.
Remember there was a recession before Corona disease, many plants had scaled back already.

Stock up before panic buying occurs.
Computers have gone up 2/3 here, a unit going for 30,000 is 50,000 now.
Panels it is also bad, old TV LCD panels are being used to repair broken TVs, the older style panels are not available, so traded in TVs are being cannibalized for other bits too.
Nigel, if you are operating at a price where 5 pounds matter, your volumes may be large.
Try getting SMPS units intended for LED, or industrial grade, they work, and are more rugged.


And not only semi conductors, there is an effect on many other industries too, many workers have gone back to their home towns and have not returned, some found employment there, some died.
The factories where they worked are gathering dust, and that is taking its toll on the entire supply chain too.
 
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