Date codes are interesting. In my opinion every manufactured object should have a manufacturing date. Pinning parts in ‘time and space’ is useful on many levels. Having restored plenty of classic vehicles over the years, a date stamp was a vital attribute when conducting a forensic search for an elusive component.
However, once a product is date stamped at manufacture, a clock starts running regarding sell-by, best before, use-by, replace-by etc. Most consumers’ interaction with date codes will relate to food and drink, for good reason. Eating rancid food can lead to some significant issues.
One downside is that the validity of a best-before date, for example, will be heavily impacted by how food and drink is packaged and stored. Applying a ‘worst case’ date must mean some well packaged and stored food will enter the waste stream before it needs to. Thus, it is not surprising that some food stores have removed best-before dates for certain fruit and vegetables.
Similar conversations and decisions apply to electronic components. On one hand, as a technician at a repair café, I know to keep an eye on a circuit’s electrolytic capacitors, when I power it up after a long period in storage. Likewise with certain battery technologies and memory products.
However, as a professional designer and editor I also know that many studies have been conducted by some of the world’s most prestigious engineering companies and organisations confirming that well packaged and stored electronic components are good for decades.
For a more detailed look, turn to page eight where you will discover a feature entitled: The date code myth: rethinking component date code restrictions.
