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Electrical Characterization

Below is a list of various instruments and methodologies for determining electrical characterization of components.

Tektronics Curve Tracer Type 576

  • By plotting the IV characteristic, the Tektronics Curve Tracer is very effective in making initial electrical characterizations of components (i.e. diodes, LEDs, transistors, ICs) deviating from the expected behavior. Noting the IV characteristic is often an important step in the non-destructive phase of failure analysis, for formulating root-cause failure hypotheses based upon resulting plots.
  • AC and DC measurement capabilities.
  • Biasing capabilities: Power 0.1 W - 220 W, Voltage 0 V - 1500 V, Series resistance 0.3 ohms - 6.5 Mohms.

International Test Systems PC-Based Curve Tracer

  • AC and DC measurement capabilities.
  • Biasing capabilities: Voltage 0 V - 8 V, Series resistance 15 ohms - 500 Kohms.
  • Frequency settings: 10 KHz - 7.2 KHz.

Dataq Instruments D1-770 Series Oscilloscope

  • The most important instrument in visualizing and assessing proper operation of a circuit assembly. This initial phase of electrical characterization allows for a deductive investigation to effectively troubleshoot problematic components, and connections.
  • Frequency range of 100 MHz.
  • Internal Function Generator.

Sencore Capacitor-Inductor Analyzer Model LC75

  • This instrument is useful in measuring capacitance values, inductance, equivalent series resistance (ESR), and leakage current.
  • Measurement range: Capacitance 1 pico F - 200,000 micro F, Inductance: 1 micro H - 10 H, ESR in Ohms, leakage current in micro-Amps.
  • Biasing Voltage for leakage current measurements: 3V - 600V.

HP 4278A Capacitance Meter

  • Essential instrument for measuring various capacitor parameters influencing reliability.
  • Measures series capacitance, parallel capacitance, series resistance, dissipation factor, quality factor, and conductance.
  • Measurement range: 100 pico F - 100 micro F.
  • Internal AC voltage source with 1V amplitude; two frequency settings 1 kHz and 1 MHz.

HP 4349A 4-Channel High Resistance Meter

  • Measurement range: Current 100 pico A - 1 micro A, corresponding resistance measurements depend upon the applied voltage.

Agilent 34970A Data Acquisition/Switch Unit

  • Direct measurement of thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, DC voltage, AC voltage, resistance, DC current, AC current, frequency, and period.

Extech Regulated Power Supply 382213

  • Maximum output voltage of 0 V - 30 V; +/- 12V channels, +/- 5V channels.
  • Maximum current of 500 mA.

HP 6655 System DC Power Supply

  • Maximum output 0 V - 120 V at 4 A.

Fluke 179 True RMS Multimeter

RadioShack True RMS Digital Multimeter