Patent ID: 8736292
Filing Date: 2014-05-27
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A probe card comprising: a plurality of probes mounted on the probe card to be brought into contact with a plurality of electrodes of a single or a plurality of inspection targets, respectively; a power supply channel electrically connecting each of the plurality of probes to the tester that is external to and separate from the probe card and supplying test power from the tester, to the plurality of electrodes of the inspection targets, respectively; branching lines on the probe card that are connected to each of the power supply channels, branching each of the power supply channels into a plurality of power supply wiring portions on the probe card and respectively connected to the probes such that each one of the power supply lines is connected to at least two of the probes; a switching mechanism in each of the power supply wiring portions on the probe card, which switching mechanism shuts off the test power to the power supply wiring portion in accordance with detection of electrical fluctuation in the power supply wiring portion; an electrical fluctuation detection mechanism disposed in each of the power supply wiring portions on the probe card and which detects electrical fluctuation in a power supply wiring portion due to presence of an abnormality in a single or plural inspection targets to which the power supply wiring portion is connected; and a control mechanism on the probe card which, responsive to detection of electrical fluctuation by the electrical fluctuation detection mechanism, and independently of the tester that is external to the probe card, shuts off the test power to a respective one of the probes that is connected to the power supply wiring portion in which the electrical fluctuation is detected, by operation of a respective one of the switching mechanisms.