1986 Transistor Curve tracer - worth while building?? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: wwjd1924
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2022, 02:21:21 pm
content: I came across this video of the German ELV KS 7000 curve tracer.https://youtu.be/isYHoyeXvk8I think it's still a good design and relatively easy to build because it uses no special components except for the transformer but that can be solved.BUT the text in in German which is no problem for me but I wondered if anyone is interested in English text? I started the OCR/edit/translation process but as it's a bit of work I want to ask here first... It's required though that people buy the original text from ELV for 1 euro.https://de.elv.com/elv-serie-7000-kennlinienschreiber-ks-7000-teil-12-204310https://de.elv.com/elv-serie-7000-kennlinienschreiber-ks-7000-teil-22-204319

author: Conrad Hoffman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2022, 04:26:58 pm
content: Don't know about that one, but Heathkit made something similar way back that you might consider.https://elektrotanya.com/heathkit_it-1121_0-40v,1a_or200v,200ma_semiconductor_curve_tracer_1973_sch.pdf/download.html

author: austfox
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2022, 12:34:26 pm
content: And Silicon Chip did a project in Oct '99 based on a design from Popular Electronics:https://www.siliconchip.com.au/Issue/1999/October/Semiconductor+Curve+Tracer

author: RichardM
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2022, 12:38:28 pm
content: I am interested in a translation. I purchased the German PDF articles and tried to simulate the circuit in LTSpice with no luck.Richard

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2022, 01:39:13 pm
content: Curved tracers depending upon the max V, I W of the DUT.We use Tektronix 575, 576 or 577 the best. Also a TM500 plugins CT501.See old Heathkit, and other 1960s..1970s kits and construction articlesJon

author: PaulAm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2022, 03:28:43 pm
content: Here's a pretty nice article on somebody building a curve tracer. He has all the files available on github (links in the article).https://www.paulvdiyblogs.net/2017/12/building-curve-tracer.html

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2022, 03:52:47 pm
content: Here's a review of the KS7000. You can skip to 38:15 for the reviewer's conclusion:Curve Tracer Shootout-DCA75 Pro, ELV KS700, Circuit-ED CT100 -- KainkaLabshttps://youtu.be/isYHoyeXvk8The reviewer likes the KS7000 the best especially because of the voltage and current ranges it supports.

author: wwjd1924
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2023, 06:58:24 pm
content: For the record... I won't translate the text because of time... sorry about that!

author: gjames50
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 14, 2024, 09:01:11 pm
content: I wish this kit was still available. I would love a unit like this. Paul's DIY made an updated version, but the overall cost to build his is just under 1,000.00 USD. Would building the ELV KS7000 cost less? Paul's DIY version has many nice features and improvements but the entry cost is a bit high for my budget.I've spent a bunch of time converting this from German to English and I am sharing it here. I don't speak/read German, so I'm sure there are some grammatical errors, but I tried getting the technical stuff as correct as possible.If someone who speaks/reads German/English could review this or perhaps edit it to make it more accurate, I would appreciate it. If anyone wants to help, please let me know, and I can share the Source Files that you can edit.Enjoy!Thank you!

author: Grandchuck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2024, 09:24:33 pm
content: I think there is a market for amodestcurve tracer. I am thinking several hundred dollars. The Peak Atlas is good but very limited. It would be nice if it would utilize the typical 3 channel DC power supply that most hobby/serious users already own. USB port for image display on a PC?

author: Messtechniker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2024, 09:37:40 pm
content: How about reading this thread?https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/show-us-your-curve-tracer/

author: metebalci
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2024, 03:25:53 pm
content: Quote from: Grandchuck on March 14, 2024, 09:24:33 pmI am doing something like that using LXI interface of NGE103B and DAQ6510. It is not difficult but there are some issues that are not straightforward to overcome.

author: bill53
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2024, 12:58:50 am
content: Hi gjames50, I'm going to have a go at building this curve tracer. Thank you for your efforts in translating the German to English. Unfortunately, I'm not a German speaker, I'm Australian so some might say I cannot even speak English.So far I've adapted the power supply using three transformer and designed that onto a PCB. I'm now working through the main circuit to make sure I understand it all, well enough to confidently reproduce it.I have a question you may be able to answer, I sure I'm missing something. The power supply circuit has the +10 and -5 volts supply with a common return, which you have labelled Chassis Ground. My question is where does the common return for the +10 / - 5 volt supply connect to the main circuit. It's not clear to me on the circuit diagram. There is a symbol that looks like an inverted T on the circuit diagram that connects to the +Ub line after R14, to the positive input of OP7, and adjustment to connection point 5 and look at it that would make sense electrically. Are you able to confirm that the inverted T symbol represents the common return for the +10 and -5 volts supplies. ThanksRegardsBill53

author: jebem
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2025, 05:13:56 pm
content: Hello,Thank you for the translated files.I am considering this KS7000 project for my CT unit.It features enough maximum Collector high voltage (100 VDC) to allow testing of breakdown voltage of some devices. 200VDC would be better, but this project is almost unique in this feature when compared to similar priced projects running from 1.5 or 5 Volt that will use typical collector voltage of just 12V.Surely these later projects run on a micro-controller offering additional features not found in the classic KS-7000, but I don't really need those.I wonder if there are PCB files available to be able to edit them and then order custom PCBs?Also, is there a template to print the front panel?If no PCB files are available, I believe that a couple of single-sided Veroboard will do, considering the limited number of components to install.Cheers,Jose