Re: Digital VX40B - Multia?

>>  That capacitor is precisely cut on purpose to give it an exact value.
>>  That's done with resistors, too, for certain applications.
>
>  Whoa, no.  That is an "arc gap" capacitor, which is a capacitor that has an 
> integral spark gap that shunts high-voltage spikes to ground, usually on 
> signals that leave a board and are expected to have long wires.  (Note that 
> it's right next to an external connector)
>
>  The capacitance is fixed and is not affected by the cut, and the dimensions 
> of the cut determine the breakdown voltage, not the capacitance.
>
>  To be clear, this is an ESD protection component, manufactured this way on 
> purpose, it is not damaged, and it is not a precision component in any way.
>
>  (Disclaimer [or is it a "claimer"?]: I am a design engineer who has 
> designed these components into commercial products, though not for DEC.)

That makes a lot more sense. It's good to learn something new :)

John