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Tester-
Slimline
(for surface mount work)
A kit is available from
Talking Electronics for $2.50 plus postage.
It is best to buy other kits at the same time to save postage
Click HERE to buy kit.
2 levels of sensitivity
It squeals, so you don't have to look
This design is cheaper, simpler and smaller than our other CONTINUITY TESTERS.
A Continuity Tester is essential for testing digital work and when it comes to surface-mount projects, you need a tester that beeps and has
very fine probes.
The clever design of the circuit needs no switch and it has two levels of sensitivity.
One probe only squeals when the resistance is very low. Anything above 300 ohms does not produce a sound.
This is called the SHORT CIRCUIT detector. It detects continuity of tracks and wiring.
The other probe allows resistances up to 40k to be detected and as the resistance increases, the sound from the buzzer decreases.
This lets you detect a resistance between two points.
When you are dealing with a surface mount project, you cannot take your eyes off the probe tips as you might short between two
components or slip off the part you are testing. That's why you need a buzzer.
TESTING A PROJECT
The first thing you have to do with an unknown project is test the trackwork. This consists of testing all the tracks for continuity and all the
pins for "shorts."
A multimeter can be used but it takes much longer to do the same job. And you have to keep looking at the needle.
The two probes can be parallel or at a slight angle so you know which probe your are using.
No "ON-OFF" switch is needed as the circuit is designed to take zero current when not used.
Our CONTINUITY TESTER gives an audible indication of continuity between the probes so you can keep your eyes on the probe tip.
Secondly its response-time is very short so that you can make lots of tests very quickly while listening for the beep.
The negative lead of the Continuity Tester is placed on the first pin of the chip and you quickly wipe the probe down the other pins on the
same side then the 12 pins on the other side. The only time you will hear a beep is if a short is present or if the two probes touch.
When you hear a beep, you should examine the track-work carefully to see if a fault is present or if the pins are joined by a track, or some
other component.
Continue this procedure with pins 2, 3, 4 etc. until all the possible combinations have been covered.
This is repeated with all the chips in the project and any other connections you can find on the board. This is the only way to locate a
hidden short and even though it involves thousands of tests, it will be much quicker than using a multimeter.
The wander lead can have either an alligator clip, E-Z clip attached to it.
When everything has been soldered in place, touch the two probes together and the buzzer will emit a squeal.
We have used it many times for microcontroller projects sent to us for repair. It has found cracks and dry joints the eye missed.
We keep it on the workbench and I am sure you will find it invaluable too.
1 - 1k
1 - 1M
1 - BC 557 transistor
1 - Mechanical Buzzer
2 - lithium cells 2016
1 - lithium Cell Holder
2 - probes (long machine pins) and 2 short pins
1 - 30cm hook-up flex
1 - ezy clip or alligator clip
15cm fine solder