Device to Test Transistor Leakage

[belwar]

I've been eying this puppy on E-bay...

Transistor Semiconductor DC Parameter Tester Meter 294 - eBay (item 320359098594 end time Nov-07-09 04:41:32 PST)

I'm teaching myseld about electronics, and im looking for a basic device to test transistor leakage. I know there is plans outthere to build a small circuit on strip board, but it seems horribly inaccurate. This unit has a nice digatal readout and looks like it would work for measuring gain, but I dont understand the speaks enough to know if it will give me the leakage number. I'll be measuing mostly OC44, OC75, OC76, OC81D, AC128, and AC188.

bel

[Jazz P Bass]

Well. the price looks not too bad.
I can certainly see where you would need a leakage tester on those germanium transistors.

[R.G.]

Originally Posted by belwar

I know there is plans outthere to build a small circuit on strip board, but it seems horribly inaccurate.

Hmmm... what *exactly* seems horribly inaccurate about it?

This unit has a nice digatal readout and looks like it would work for measuring gain, but I dont understand the speaks enough to know if it will give me the leakage number. I'll be measuing mostly OC44, OC75, OC76, OC81D, AC128, and AC188.

That's a good question - I read it and although I'm a kinda-native-speaker of US English, I couldn't tell whether it would give a straightforward leakage number either.

So I guess the issue is whether the device you are thinking about buying is worth $50 or so against the essentially zero cost of the small circuit.

[Steve Conner]

RG's circuit works fine. I was using it to test some germanium transistors the other day.

The only transistor tester I've had experience with is the Peak Atlas. Atlas/Peak DCA55 Semiconductor Analyser

[Jazz P Bass]

Here is a link with a schematic & an explanation of what the circuit does.
http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/ffselect.htm
A lot cheaper than $50.00.
Hope this helps.
John G

[belwar]

Thanks for the info so far guys.

I also came across this device, which actually looks better..

Peak Electronic Design Limited - Atlas DCA - Semiconductor Analyser - Model DCA55

It's a little more money 54 pounds, but it does say that it measures leakage, as well as tell you whether its NPN or PNP, as well as identify silicon and germanium. This seems like it would work really well in a production envrioment where you're dealing with dummys! :>

bel.

EDIT
OOPS! Missed the link in the previous post, sorry!

[R.G.]

Originally Posted by belwar

This seems like it would work really well in a production envrioment where you're dealing with dummys!

Ah. "Production environment". You want to go into business selling something with germanium transistors in it; likely effects.

And another flower blooms.

[belwar]

Well i've never made pedals, but I am a second generation pickup winder and guitar maker.

I saw this crazy ass tonebender clone from DAM on e-bay for 2500 bucks and I was like "phhfft I can do that!" So I'm going to try my hand at it. I'll probably never do anything with it, but you never know.. I've been teaching myself electronics and I figure i could build up a collection of gear.. first got a scope, then a function generator, LCR meter, Gauss meter, etc.. So this is just another cool tool. Next is a good accurate DC power supply.

Im also working on a 3-band parametric EQ preamp for basses... but that will take ALOT more learning.

bel.

[flyingmelon]

Originally Posted by belwar

I've been eying this puppy on E-bay...

Transistor Semiconductor DC Parameter Tester Meter 294 - eBay (item 320359098594 end time Nov-07-09 04:41:32 PST)

I'm teaching myseld about electronics, and im looking for a basic device to test transistor leakage. I know there is plans outthere to build a small circuit on strip board, but it seems horribly inaccurate. This unit has a nice digatal readout and looks like it would work for measuring gain, but I dont understand the speaks enough to know if it will give me the leakage number. I'll be measuing mostly OC44, OC75, OC76, OC81D, AC128, and AC188.

bel

Nice, I also came across this device, which actually looks better..

[belwar]

Originally Posted by belwar

Peak Electronic Design Limited - Atlas DCA - Semiconductor Analyser - Model DCA55

Holy Crap.

The peak arrived this work and it works like a HOT DAMN. the thing is idiot prood. Two buttons.

You can hook any of the three wires to any of the three leads on a trannie and just press the button. 4 seconds later you have a readout that you scroll through.. It tells you the hfe and leakage in ma. Also it tells you if its PNP or NPN, as well as which lead is which.

I measured about 30 different GE trannies and it measured everything perfectly.

I cant recommend it enough.

[Steve A.]

Originally Posted by R.G.

Ah. "Production environment". You want to go into business selling something with germanium transistors in it; likely effects.

And another flower blooms.

Speaking of flowers I just read that what is commonly called a germanium in your garden is in fact usually a pelargonium.

Steve Ahola

[Phostenix]

They have an interesting ESR meter, too. Are you in the US?

[Alex R]

Originally Posted by Steve A.

Speaking of flowers I just read that what is commonly called a germanium in your garden is in fact usually a pelargonium.

Steve Ahola

Silicon ain't always what it seems either.

[Steve A.]

Originally Posted by Alex R

Silicon ain't always what it seems either.

How true! I once dated a woman who said she had silicon implants- they felt just like sandbags!