Curve Tracer for Bipolar and FETs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2021, 11:24:50 pm
content: Hi Folks,Looking for a curve tracer which can handle bipolar transistors as well as fet types ( including igbt).Should be an affordable one for a hobbyist, so let´s say till 500$/€, maybe a little more.No used ones, new stuff.And no primitive things like octopus, as they could damaging the DUT.Martin

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2021, 10:29:49 am
content: Depending on your maximum test voltage and current limit requirements, you could do a lot worse than the Peak DCA75 Pro...https://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/dca75-dca-pro-semiconductor-analyser.htmlIt works as a standalone tester, but when you connect it via USB and use the PC app, it provides decent curve tracing capabilities.(There's an eevblog member discount code too).

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2021, 11:08:26 am
content: Martin,https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/transistor-curve-tracer-kit-on-ebay/Maybe something interesting there...Take care..

author: Cloud
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2021, 11:20:48 am
content: DCA75 is quite useful tool, I use it daily.But if you want true curve tracer I have made it some time ago so currently I don't know where I have documentation. But it was basically two DACs with power amplifiers and buffer/differential amp for output to scope.

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2021, 11:57:32 am
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on February 18, 2021, 11:08:26 amI picked up one of those a while ago (Pre-assembled version). It never worked.I need to get a few new parts for it and debug more. No clock as I remember.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2021, 09:21:08 pm
content: Hi and thank you so far.The DCA75 I "know", but don´t have it - When everything will fail, I think I´ll buy this.But it got only a few mA current and "low" voltage.The other one seems to have not the possibility to trace several FET types.There are few very old and used tracers on the market, which still costs a lot and having huge dimensions...QuotePlease look for it..Martin

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2021, 11:01:15 pm
content: Martin,some time ago I was looking at this one. Looks quite sophisticated actually..https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/vendor-s-bazaar/205733-intelligent-curve-tracer-3-0-release.htmlNot really cheap, but if it works as specified quite serious device..Never pulled the trigger though, too much other stuff took me elsewhere...Take careSinisaP.S. There is also githubhttps://github.com/locky-z/Curve-Tracerwhere all schematics and code is published..... Last updates to git were 15 days ago..E-bay:https://www.ebay.com/itm/114234796434

author: Johnny10
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2021, 11:12:00 pm
content: The DOS4EVER utracer curve tracergoes to over 400 VThe tube tracer has a lab note about turning it into a Transistor tester.Not sure if you are familiar with this or if you have interest in kit.

author: dougg
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2021, 01:21:47 am
content: A small instrument maker in Toronto, Canada has this curve tracer product:https://www.syscompdesign.com/product/ctr-201/