One of the most common mistakes in electronics prototyping is reversing the power supply connection. For IoT hubs, this can lead to instant damage to microcontrollers, sensors, or even your whole board. But there’s a simple and affordable fix every Indian engineer or hobbyist should use.

🔧 The Problem: Reverse Polarity Damage

When power is connected the wrong way, components receive voltage in the wrong direction—causing permanent failure. IoT hubs, which often use 3.3V or 5V logic, are especially sensitive.

✅ The Solution: Add Reverse Polarity Protection

Use a Schottky diode or a P-channel MOSFET to block incorrect polarity. Schottky diodes are easy to use and have low forward voltage drop, while P-MOSFETs offer even lower power loss for higher current loads.

🔍 Practical Example: WiFi-Based IoT Hub

You’ve built a NodeMCU-based home automation hub. One day, you accidentally connect the DC barrel jack in reverse—your board dies. Adding a P-channel MOSFET in series with the power line would have saved your device by blocking reverse current automatically.

🧮 Sample Calculation: Diode Power Loss

Load current = 500mA
Schottky Vf = 0.3V
Power loss = 0.3 × 0.5 = 0.15W
Efficient and safe for most IoT use cases!

🛒 Product Suggestion: Made in India Components

• 🔋 [Shop Schottky diodes]

• ⚙️ [Shop P-channel MOSFETs]

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