While the above statement is true in a literal sense, the time spent
discussing the issue is time well spent. Woe to any designer who learns
his craft by "live fire" testing.

Too True.

I've been a hardware/software designer for many years, don't rely on bench
tests.

Go by the manufacture specs (unless it's a one off jobby for yourself) - least
you have something to fall back on then.

Bare in mind, if any component gets pretty hot, in time the pcb will become
charcoal in the components immediate vicinity - unless heat sinking measures are
taken.

Clive