Table of Contents
General Microphone Element Technology
A microphone (mic) element is the “guts” of a microphone which does the important conversion of the received sound waves into an electrical signal. The mic element is only one piece of what most people consider is a completed microphone. The mic element must be put into a housing of some type and connected to an electrical circuit with amplifies the signal.
Mallory offers only analog microphone elements at this time.
Mallory offers Electret Condenser and Dynamic Foil technology. The mic elements part numbers that start with “PMO” are electret condenser type, and the ones that start with “PMOF” are dynamic foil type.
The description of these technologies on Wikipedia is pretty thorough. Mallory recommends that you use this source to answer this question.
Electrical Application Issues
The circuit schematic is listed on the microphone part number spec. sheet. To locate the spec. sheet on Mallory’s website, go to the detail page for the mic element part number you are interested in. You can get there either by picking the microphone element category under Products or if you already know the mic element part number you are interested in, you can type this part number in the search box at the top of the screen. On the microphone detail page, you can click on the spec. sheet as shown below.
Yes, the outline drawing and circuit schematic identify which electrical connection is “terminal 1” and which is “terminal 2”. Make sure the mic element is correctly oriented for it to work correctly in the circuit.
The mic elements are not especially static sensitive and should be handled similar to CMOS IC’s. It is recommended to use grounded soldering irons and grounded operators during the soldering operation.
Mechanical Application Issues
The reliability test for these mic elements is listed as, full amplitude 2mm for 30 minutes at three axis. That being said, it is recommended to mount the mic elements in soft rubber to minimize the effects of vibration in the application.
Soldering & Washing Issues
P/N PMO-4015MN-42HXQ can go through a reflow oven (Max 260 C). All other microphone elements should be hand soldered.
Below are the general guidelines:
The soldering iron should be set at 310 C maximum (use lower temperature if possible). The microphone case should be heatsinked and heat should only be applied for 2 seconds maximum. As mentioned in the electrical application section, the soldering iron and operator should be grounded to protect against ESD.
No. Use no-clean solder/flux.
Environmental Issues
No. If you look at the environmental specifications for these mic elements, it is pretty clear that they do not have the temperature ratings or humidity ratings to be used outdoors.
On the product webpage for these mic elements, you will see a link to the environmental specifications as shown below:
Warranty
The seller warrants the goods to be supplied hereunder will conform to the pertinent specifications, drawings and approved samples, if furnished, and that such goods will be of good materials and workmanship and free of defects if properly installed and used as sold by Seller. If within one-year period from the date of shipment to Purchaser such goods, not having been subject to misuse, alteration, modification, neglect. Improper installation or unauthorized repairs not exposed to an abnormal environment, are shown not to be in conformity or are shown to be defective in workmanship or materials, Seller’s sole and exclusive obligation under this warranty is to repair or replace such goods, provided return is made prepaid to Seller or its designated representative with the following tagged information: (i) date of shipment of such goods to Purchaser; (ii) date such goods are determined to be non-conforming or defective; and (iii) specifying the apparent non-conformity or defect. No claim will be allowed under this warranty unless Purchaser notifies Seller of such claim within 30 days after Purchaser learns of facts giving rise to such claim. Purchaser’s failure to test, inspect and make claim within such one-year period shall be conclusive evidence that the goods shipped were satisfactory in all respects. The liability of Seller under the forgoing warranty shall not exceed the price charged by Seller for the goods which give rise to the Purchaser’s claim. THE AFORESAID WARRANTY IS EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED (INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR PURPOSE), EXCEPT OF TITLE. SELLER ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL OR OTHER DAMAGES OF ANY TYPE (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES RELATED TO LOST SALES AND PROFITS, EXCESSIVE OR INCREASED COSTS AND EXPENSES, FIELD RECALL AND RETROFIT, COSTS AND EXPENSES , DOWNTIME COSTS AND CLAIMS OF CUSTOMERS OR PURCHASER FOR SUCH DAMAGES) RESULTING FROM NON-CONFORMING OR DEFECTIVE CONDITION OF ANY GOODS SOLD BY SELLER TO PURCHASER HEREUNDER, AND PURCHASER ASSUMES ALL LIABILITY FOR ALL CONSEQUENCES ARISING OUT OF ITS USE OR SALES OF SUCH GOODS. THE AFORESAID REMEDY OF PURCHASER IS EXCLUSIVE AND THIS LIMITATION OF LIABILITY PROVISION SHALL APPLY TO ANY AND ALL CLAIMS OR SUITS BASED UPON NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF CONTRACT, BREACH OF WARRANTY, STRICT LIABILITY, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY UPON WHICH LIABILITY MAY BE ASSERTED AGAINST SELLER BY PURCHASER OF OTHERS.