Essential diagnostic equipment - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Bill
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2023, 02:41:03 pm
content: Hello everyone,Pourriez-vous recommander un équipement de test essentiel pour la maintenance électronique, autre que les oscilloscopes, les multimètres et les caméras microscopiques thermiques ? Existe-t-il un instrument spécifique qui s'est avéré particulièrement utile lors de vos diagnostics de cartes électroniques ?I appreciate any help you can provide.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2023, 02:47:02 pm
content: A magnifier, magnifying lamp or low magnification microscope are good tool to inspect solder joints.

author: Bill
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2023, 02:53:59 pm
content: I have this equipment, a magnifying glass with a lamp, I would like to get recommendations on test instruments for (microcontrollers, transistors, ...) The goal is to have tools that facilitate diagnosis, to speed up the maintenance process. Could you recommend suitable equipment for this purpose?

author: dobsonr741
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2023, 05:00:39 pm
content: More details on the kind of electronics being repaired would help. In the absence of that, a generic answer is:Beyond oscilloscopes, multimeters, and thermal imaging microscopes, here are some essential pieces of test equipment for electronic maintenance:1. **Logic Analyzer:** Useful for diagnosing problems in digital circuits, particularly when dealing with microcontrollers or digital signal processing.2. **Signal Generator:** Helps in testing and troubleshooting circuits by providing a variety of waveforms and signals.3. **Soldering Station:** Essential for any form of electronic repair or prototyping. A good quality soldering iron with adjustable temperature control is crucial.4. **Frequency Counter:** Useful for measuring the frequency of various components, especially in RF (Radio Frequency) applications.5. **LCR Meter:** Helps measure inductance, capacitance, and resistance of electronic components, which is crucial in many diagnostic scenarios.6. **Power Supply:** A reliable and adjustable power supply is critical for testing and powering circuits during diagnostics.7. **Network Analyzer:** For more advanced diagnostics, especially in RF and high-speed digital circuits.A specific instrument that has proven especially useful in diagnosing electronic boards is the **Spectrum Analyzer**. It is particularly valuable in identifying issues in frequency and signal strength, which is crucial in RF applications and in troubleshooting noise issues in circuits.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2023, 05:24:47 pm
content: Quote from: Bill on December 14, 2023, 02:41:03 pmBy the time this thread ends every piece of test equipment made will be listed.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2023, 06:21:11 pm
content: Quote from: Bill on December 14, 2023, 02:41:03 pmThe essential ones you already have. I assume the intent of this thread is to identify a worthwhile last-minute Christmas wish?A pair of LCR tweezers has come in handy for me quite a few times when troubleshooting PCBs. In many situations they let you measure components without having to unsolder them from the circuit. (Not always though; depends on what else is connected in parallel.) An affordable and pretty good version has been designed by a forum member, Shannon:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/design-a-new-precision-lcr-tweezers/. He sells them via AliExpress.

author: Swake
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2023, 07:57:30 pm
content: Yeah, let's continue that list- Isolation transformer, because safety.- Solder sucker aka de-soldering station. The thing with a pump that looks like a pistol.- Powerful hot air station with the extra 45° bent nozzles- Micro soldering station with a C210 or even a C115 handle (JBC style having several good clones out there) and a selection of heating tips.- Scope with integrated logic analyzer.- Curve tracer (there is a nice DIY project out there, can be a fun build) or at least the atmega328 transistor tester.- USB analyzers (power and data)- Power analyzer, that blue thing from National semi, sorry I don't remember its exact name. allows to graph quickly fluctuation power of small devices.- (e)eprom-programmer.- ESD desk mat- A nice set of Wera micro screwdrivers. They have a set with 25 pieces in a roll-bag in both 'normal' and ESD versions.- A nice set of 115mm and 130mm Knipex pliers.- Contact spray, solder wick in different sizes, gel and liquid solder flux, nice spray-bottle for the IPA. q-tip dispenser, UV curing epoxy PCB varnish with UV lamp. several sizes of Kapton tape- Boxes to store the different projects while you wait for components to arrive.- Camera on an overhead arm to easily take pictures of the devices (as documentation or for evidence collection).- RTL-SDR V4 dongle or a HackRFone with Portapack H2 with a selection of antennas

author: wasedadoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2023, 09:44:19 pm
content: Most important diagnostic equipment is a brain that thinks logically. ("Logically" meaning using reasoning skills to objectively study any problem, which helps make a rational conclusion about how to proceed. Not the 1s and 0s meaning!)

author: pope
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2023, 09:57:19 pm
content: Do you all speak French or I'm missing something?

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2023, 10:57:04 pm
content: Thermal imager is a big timesaver.

author: colorado.rob
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2023, 11:12:11 pm
content: Quote from: Bill on December 14, 2023, 02:41:03 pmA PSU is a must, as is a good arbitrary waveform generator. For me, having all my main instruments accessible via the network (LXI) has been particularly useful. Beyond that, it really depends on what you are maintaining. It could be a USB power meter or a logic analyzer, or an RF signal generator, a spectrum analyzer and a VNA.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2023, 11:17:41 pm
content: Quote from: pope on December 14, 2023, 09:57:19 pmI cheated & used a translation site.