It’s been only a day since I’ve tasted the forbidden fruit and already there’s trouble in paradise. The screen of my newly modded Gaggia Classic is acting up. It only turns on sporadically. No big issue for me, an expert in electrical engineering.

I’m on a call with my grandma, talking about life. I can easily do two things at once, can’t I? While talking on the phone, I open the machine and try again. Already, it seems to work better. Maybe there’s a wiring issue?

I pull out the PCB board and check the connections. Seems all good. I stuff it back into the machine, not bothering about its protective housing. I connect it to (230V) power. Try it out. As I touch the machine, the PCB moves slightly, creating a contact with the metal frame of the machine. Yes, the one I’m touching at the same moment.

The following explosion is impressive. Smoke, nasty smell. I unplug the machine. One side of the PCB is just black. The soldered metal evaporated in a lighting strike. I fried my PCB.

Luckily I didn’t hurt myself. But WHAT THE FUCK was I thinking??? Working on an electrical machine, without unplugging it??? This is so dumb. So irresponsible. I’m an idiot.

So yeah, it lasted one day. For now I can’t make espresso anymore. The new PCB will arrive in a like 10 days. 120 euro fine for being stupid. Serves me well.

dead PCB