Nothing will overheat a piece of electronic gear faster than a nice layer of dust build-up, and what kills gear? That’s right — heat. Well, that, and so-called “gravitational events,” but that’s for another article. Use cans of compressed air liberally. The intake/outlet fans are the biggest culprits. Best to locate where the power supply is, and go from there. Pro-tip: Turn off and unplug the gear, insert a tweaker (or the end of a cotton swab) to stop the fan from spinning, and spray away… The point is this: Clean is not just a state of mind. It’s also your job security and an indicator of how professional you are. If your gear constantly does not work, it follows that neither will you.
—Jeff Gooch, from “Video World,” PLSN, May 2016
