Describe how to use electronic

instruments for component testing

and prepared circuits
 What is Component Testing?
A component is the lowest unit of any
application. So, Component testing; as the name
suggests, is a technique of testing the lowest or
the smallest unit of any application.
An application can be thought of a combination
and integration of many small individual
modules. Before we test the entire system, it is
imperial that each component OR the smallest
unit of the application is tested thoroughly
 Components Testing
Most people are leery of working with electricity, and
for good reason: electricity can be dangerous when
working on any appliance, and knowing when you’re
doing something right or wrong can be tricky. Most
appliances with electrical components go bad when
some part of the circuit is no longer conducting
electricity correctly, so being able to isolate the parts
and test them will be a frequent part of your job.
• Electronic instruments are used to create
signals and capture responses from electronic
devices under test (DUTs). In this way, the
proper operation of the DUT can be proven or
faults in the device can be traced. Use of
electronic test equipment is essential to any
serious work on electronics systems.
• Practical electronics engineering and assembly
requires the use of many different kinds of
electronic test equipment ranging from the
very simple and inexpensive (such as a test
light consisting of just a light bulb and a test
lead) to extremely complex and sophisticated
such as automatic test equipment (ATE). ATE
often includes many of these instruments in
real and simulated forms.
• Generally, more advanced test gear is
necessary when developing circuits and
systems than is needed when doing
production testing or when troubleshooting
existing production units in the field.
 List of electrical and electronic measuring
equipment
Name Purpose
Ammeter (Ampermeter) Measures current
Measures the capacitance of a
Capacitance meter
component
Cos Phi Meter Measures the power factor
CRO(Cathode Ray Ocylocop) Check transistor
Measures current without physical
Current clamp
connection
Curve tracer Applies swept signals to a device and
allows display of the response
Distortionmeter Measures the distortion added to a circuit
Measures the amount of energy
Electricity meter
dissipated
Name Purpose
ESR Meter Measures the equivalent series resistance
of capacitors
Frequency counter Measures the frequency of the current
Measures the inductance, capacitance
LCR meter
and resistance of a component
Leakage tester Measures leakage across the plates of a
capacitor
Measures power at microwave
Microwave power meter
frequencies
General purpose instrument measures
Multimeter voltage, current and resistance (and
sometimes other quantities as well)
Network analyzer Measures network parameters
Ohmmeter Measures the resistance of a component
Displays waveform of a signal, allows
Oscilloscope measurement of frequency, timing, peak
excursion, offset, ...
Psophometer Measures AF signal level and noise
Q meter Measures Q factor of the RF circuits
Name Purpose
Signal Analyzer Measures both the amplitude and the
modulation of a RF signal
Signal generator Generates signals for testing purposes
Spectrum analyser Displays frequency spectrum
Creates constant-amplitude variable
Sweep generator frequency sine waves to test frequency
response
Tachometer Measures speed of motors
Transistor tester Tests transistors
Tube tester Tests vacuum tubes (triode, tetrode etc.)
Displays the phase of the colors in color
Vectorscope
TV
Generates video signal for testing
Video signal generator
purposes
Measures the potential difference
Voltmeter between two points in a circuit. (Includes: 
DVM and VTVM)
Measures the level of AF signals in
Basic Testing Instruments
 Voltmeter
• A basic electronics device or instrument used
to measure voltage or electrical potential
difference between two points in electrical
circuits is known as voltmeter. There are two
types of voltmeters: analog and digital. An
analog voltmeter moves a pointer across a
scale in proportional to the voltage of the
electrical circuit.
• A digital voltmeter measures an unknown
input voltage by converting the voltage to a
digital value by using a converter and then
displays the voltage in numeric form.
 Ohmmeter
• An electrical instrument that measures
electrical resistance is known as an ohmmeter.
The instrument used to measure small value
of resistance are micro-ohmmeters. Similarly
meg-ohmmeters is used to make large
resistance measurements.
• Resistance values are measured in ohms (Ω).
Originally, ohmmeter is designed with a small
battery to apply a voltage to a resistance.
 Ammeter
• A measuring instrument which is used to
measure the electric current in a circuit is
known as an ammeter. The units of
measurement for electric current is amperes
(A) Earlier ammeters were laboratory
instruments which depend on the earth’s
magnetic field for operation.
• In an era of the 19th century, improved
instruments were designed which could be
placed in any position and allows accurate
measurements in electric power systems.
• The smaller currents can be measured by
using milliammeters or micro ammeters, units
of measuring the smaller current are in the
milliampere or micro-ampere range. There are
different types of ammeters such as moving-
coil, moving magnet and moving-iron, etc.
 Multimeter

• A multimeter is an electronic instrument used to

measure the three basic electrical characteristics:
voltage, current and resistance. It has multiple
functions and acts like ohmmeter, voltmeter and
ammeter and also used for household wiring,
electric motors, testing batteries and power
supplies.
• The multimeter is a handheld device with a
needle over a numeric LCD digital display for
indication purpose. It is also used to test
continuity between two points in an electrical
circuit.
• There are three types of multimeters made
available in the market such as: digital
multimeter, analog multimeter and fluke
multimeter.
 Oscilloscope
• The oscilloscope is an electronic test
instrument that constantly obverses varying
voltage signals as a two dimensional plot of
one or more signals as a function of time. The
other names for oscilloscope are oscillograph,
cathode ray oscilloscope or digital storage
oscilloscope. It is also used for converting non
electrical signals such as vibration or sound
into voltages and then displays the result.
• Oscilloscopes are used to observe the change
of an electrical signal based on time such that
voltage and time describe a shape of the
signals and graphed continuously compared
with a calibrated scale.
• The obtained waveforms can be considered
for following properties such as frequency,
amplitude, time interval, rise time and others.
Modern digital instruments may calculate
these properties directly and displays them.
 Pulse Generator
• A pulse generator is either an electronic circuit
or a piece of electronic test equipment used
to generate electrical pulses in different
shapes: mostly used for tests at analog or
electrical level. Pulse generators are used to
control the width, frequency,delay based on
the low and high voltage levels of the pulses
and with respect to an internal and external
triggering.
• There are three types of pulse generators
namely optical pulse generator, bench pulse
generators and microwave pulsers.
 Circuits
Electric circuit, path for transmitting electric
current. An electric circuit includes a device that
gives energy to the charged particles
constituting the current, such as a battery or a
generator; devices that use current, such as
lamps, electric motors, or computers; and the
connecting wires or transmission lines. Two of
the basic laws that mathematically describe the
performance of electric circuits are Ohm’s law
and Kirchhoff’s rules.
Basic electric circuit, with switch, battery, and lamp.
Electric circuits are classified in several ways. A
direct-current circuit carries current that flows
only in one direction. An alternating-current
circuit carries current that pulsates back and
forth many times each second, as in most
household circuits.
A series circuit comprises a path along which the
whole current flows through each component. A
parallel circuit comprises branches so that the
current divides and only part of it flows through
any branch.
The voltage, or potential difference, across each
branch of a parallel circuit is the same, but the
currents may vary. In a home electrical circuit,
for instance, the same voltage is applied across
each light or appliance, but each of these loads
draws a different amount of current, according
to its power requirements.
A number of similar batteries connected in
parallel provides greater current than a single
battery, but the voltage is the same as for a
single battery. See also integrated circuit; tuned
circuit.
How to use Electronic Instruments to test Components

Ammeter: An ammeter (from Ampere Meter) is

a measuring instrument used to measure the
current in a circuit.
To measure current, you must connect the two
leads of the ammeter in the circuit so that the
current flows through the ammeter. In other
words, the ammeter must become a part of the
circuit itself.
The only way to measure the current flowing
through a simple circuit is to insert your
ammeter into the circuit. Here, the ammeter is
inserted into the circuit between the LED and
the resistor.
Note that it doesn’t matter where in this circuit
you insert the ammeter. You’ll get the same
current reading whether you insert the ammeter
between the LED and the resistor, between the
resistor and the battery, or between the LED and
the battery.
To measure the current in the LED circuit,
follow these steps:
1. Set your multimeter’s range selector to a DC
milliamp range of at least 20 mA.
This circuit uses direct current (DC), so you need
to make sure the multimeter is set to a DC
current range.
2. Remove the jumper wire that connects the
two terminal strips.
The LED should go dark, as removing the jumper
wire breaks the circuit.
3. Touch the black lead from the multimeter to
the LED lead that connects to the terminal strip
(not the bus strip).

4. Touch the red lead from the multimeter to

the resistor lead that connects to the terminal
strip (not the bus strip).
The LED should light up again, as the ammeter is
now a part of the circuit, and current can flow.
5. Read the number on the multimeter display.

It should read between 12 and 13 mA. (The exact

reading will depend on the exact resistance value
of the resistor. Resistor values aren’t exact, so
even though you’re using a 470 Ω resistor in this
circuit, the actual resistance of the resistor may
be anywhere from 420 to 520 Ω.
Voltmeter: It measures the potential difference
between two points, so in order to use a
voltmeter, that is to measure voltage, one must
connect the voltmeter in parallel to the points
(or devices). Since voltmeter (ideally) have
infinite resistance, it won't affect the circuit.
A voltmeter has three parts you need to know
about before you can use it:
• Positive input terminal (usually red)
• Negative input terminal (usually black)
• Display, where you'll see the results of the
measurement. If your meter is analog you'll
have to read the results from a scale. If it's
digital, the results will show up as a reading on
an LCD or LED screen
Before using a voltmeter you'll have to
determine whether the current you're
measuring is a direct current (that flows in one
direction) or an alternating current (that flows
back and forth). Make sure you're using a
voltmeter that's compatible with the type of
current you're measuring, or that your
voltmeter is set to the appropriate setting.
1. Set your device to measure voltage. Most
voltage-measuring devices are actually
multimeters, which can test several aspects of
electrical circuits. If your device has a knob with
several settings, set it to one of the following:[1]
To test the voltage of an AC circuit, set the knob
to V~, ACV, or VAC. Household circuits are
almost always Alternating Current.
To test voltage of a DC circuit, choose V–, V---,
DCV, or VDC. Batteries and portable electronics
are typically Direct Current.
2. Choose a range above the max expected
voltage. Most voltmeters have several options
marked for voltage, so you can change your
meter's sensitivity to get a good measurement
and avoid damaging the device. If your digital
device has no range option, it is "autoranging"
and should detect the correct range itself.
Otherwise, follow these guidelines:
• Choose a setting higher than the maximum expected
voltage. If you have no idea what to expect, choose
the highest setting to avoid damaging the device.
• Household batteries are usually labeled with the
voltage, typically 9V or below.
• Car batteries should be at approximately 12.6V
when fully charged with the engine off.[2]
• Household outlets are typically 240 volts in most of
the world, and 120 volts in the US and some other
countries.[3]
• mV stands for millivolt (1/1000 V), sometimes used
to indicate the lowest setting.
3. Insert the test leads. Your voltmeter should
come with one black and one red test leads.
Each has a metal probe on one end, and a metal
jack on the other that slots into the holes in your
voltmeter. Plug in the jacks as follows:[4]
The black jack always plugs into the hole labeled
"COM."
When measuring voltage, plug the red jack into
the hole labeled V (among other symbols). If
there is no V, choose the hole with the lowest
number, or mA.
Hold the probes safely. Do not touch the metal
probes while connecting them to a circuit. If the
insulation looks worn or torn, wear electrically
insulated gloves or purchase replacement leads.
• The two metal probes should never touch
each other while they are connected to a
circuit, or severe sparking could result.
Touch the black test lead to one part of the circuit. Test
circuits for voltage by attaching the leads in parallel. In
other words, you'll touch the probes to two points an
already-closed circuit, with current running through it.
• On a battery, touch the black lead to the negative
terminal.
• In a wall outlet, touch the black lead into the neutral
hole, which in the US is the larger vertical hole, or the
vertical hole on the left.[5]
• Whenever possible, let go of the black test lead
before moving on. Many black probes have a small
plastic bump that can stick into an outlet.
Touch the red test lead to another point on the
circuit. This will complete the parallel circuit and
cause the meter to display the voltage.
• On a battery, touch the red lead to the
positive terminal.
• In a wall outlet, fit the red lead into the "hot"
hole – in the US, this is the smaller, vertical or
the vertical hole on the right.
Raise the range if you get an overload reading.
Immediately raise the range to a higher voltage
setting if you get one of the following results,
before your device is damaged:
• Your digital display reads "OL," "overload," or
"1." Note that "1V" is a real reading, and
nothing to worry about.
• Your analog needle shoots to the other side of
the scale.
Adjust the voltmeter if necessary. You may need to make
adjustments if a digital voltmeter display reads 0V or
nothing at all, or if an analog voltmeter's needle has barely
moved. If there is still no reading, try the following in
order:
• Make sure the test probes are both connected to the
circuit.
• If you are measuring a DC circuit and get no result, look
for a small knob or switch on your device labeled DC+
and DC- and move it to the other position.[8] If your
device does not have this option, reverse the positions of
the black and red probes.
• Reduce the range by one setting. Repeat if necessary
until you get a real reading.
Read the voltmeter. A digital voltmeter will
clearly display the voltage on its electronic
screen. An analog voltmeter is a little more
complicated, but not too tough once you learn
the ropes. Continue reading for instructions.
Ohmmeter is an electronic instrument which is widely
used to check a complete circuit or to measure the
resistance of a circuit element.
Ohm's law breaks down into the basic equation: Voltage
= Current x Resistance
1. Disconnect completely and/or turn OFF all power to
the circuit you are testing. You must have a completely
dead wire or circuit in order to ensure accuracy in
measurement, as well as your own safety. Your
ohmmeter will supply the voltage and current for your
circuit so NO other power is necessary. As the
instructions for our Blue Point volt/ohmmeter state,
testing a powered circuit can "cause damage to the
meter, circuit, and *you*."
2. Connect testing wires to the ohmmeter. The
black wire goes to the ground (common) outlet, the
red wire to the volt/ohms outlet
3. Consult a service manual for the normal range
of resistance for the circuit you are testing.

4. Set the dial to the "ohms (Ω)" setting with a

multimeter. (See highlighted red square in
image.) On an individual ohmmeter, you may
have to set a range for the readings, in ohms,
kilohms or megohms. Use the range you located
in your service manual to set the dial.
Check the ohmmeter reading and see if it falls in the range listed in your
service manual. Plug wires have a set resistance.
Know that a reading of OL means "over limit."
That means the resistance is off the charts, and
you have a break in the circuit. If you got an OL
reading for the plug wires, you'd know there was
a broken wire that needs replacing. In this case,
we got an OL reading because the light switch is
in the "OFF" position.
Consider that a low reading, anywhere from 0
to .5, indicates very little to no resistance. This
means there's a continuity of current in the
circuit. This is the reading you should get when
the light switch is in the "ON" position.
Test any circuit with your ohmmeter.
Remember that "over limit (OL)" means there's
too much resistance and a break in the wire
somewhere. A near-zero reading indicates no
resistance and smooth-flowing current. In
circuits like plug wires where a set range of
resistance is necessary for them to work
properly, any reading other than the proper
range indicates bad wires that need to be
replaced.