Episode 26 • • 36:16 - 38:48
26: Feeling Fat?
Electronic Component Accuracy, System Clocks, Military Specifications
A listener from Virginia, a computer engineer, explains why electronic crystals and system clocks are often inaccurate due to manufacturing tolerances and environmental variables like temperature. Components like resistors are color-coded to indicate their quality and deviation percentage (e.g., 5% for gold). "Mil-spec" or military specification refers to the tightest possible tolerances for these electronic parts.