test bench - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Plankton
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 21, 2010, 01:59:31 pm
content: test bench

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2010, 02:20:58 pm
content: An " electrical test bench" its a large word , as we say in Greece.If you can become a bit more specific , you could get less generic tips.For example , are you go to test motors like AC or DC ? transformers ? power tools ?sound systems ? U.P.S. units ? ... every type of device needs specialized tools.The Oscilloscope have nothing to do with "anbasicelectrical test bench"Be more specific if possible.Welcome in the EEVblog

author: desolatordan
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2010, 02:55:43 pm
content: Then your list looks pretty good, I'd also recommend a DC load for testing power devices.But like Kiriakos asked, can you be more specific? Are you messing with anything related to AC or DC power? Sensors/transducers? Or just random analog chips?It'd be important to be able to quickly prototype boards to test stuff out.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2010, 06:25:28 pm
content: By my understanding , its difficult for everyone to start giving opinions about test equipment .I am not the right person but I will try to help just a bit ..First of , your Geographic location as country on the map , could help us, so to determine , the brands that you can possibly find ..As second , your cost estimate, sounds too low, for an such a task.So the first advice could be, to check first for used instruments.Before you even start asking for brands and models , you have to make your planing, and for example,to write on paper your specific requirements for its device.Example: one DC power supply that must do 35V 10A with current limiter , and if you wish triple outputs , then you will have to spent 2000$ just for that .. so to be new and properly calibrated from the factory.QualityControl testing , needs tremendously expensive equipment , and even just one of every type, its not enough.I bet that you are an freelancer or student , and just looking for quick tips, its not bad as tacticBut I can not help you , with quick tips , because I respect the screwdriver that I hold for years in my hand, and such decisions about getting the proper tools , does not work as an quick shopping list.I am always speaking in positive spirit , if the translation does not prove that , just ignore my message.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 21, 2010, 06:57:35 pm
content: Quote from: Kiriakos-GR on April 21, 2010, 06:25:28 pmas one involved in such a profession i can say that if that is your target use then accuracy will be your top requirement, yes i canmeasure the thickenss of a piece of paper with my usual digital caliper, but if i want to step up in accuracy i need a much more exspensive micrometer

author: MoJo
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 22, 2010, 03:10:23 am
content: My advice would be to not by it on one go. I would say buy what you need and build as you go. These are 10+ year investments in some circumstances so buying the entire lot really trap you in the choices you can make. This of course applies to those very specific case/ scenario equipments. For general bench top equipment, constrain them to what you will be potentially testing with it. A high accuracy multimeter isn't necessary if your measurements will be in the milli ranges, I have a 200MHz Fluke scope and I barely measure 100MHz signals ... not a total waste ... but I could of saved if I knew about this Rigol Scope and my hunger for MHz didn't foolishly blind me. Gist of what I'm saying is don't splurge all at once, let the need build the bench not the desire for a bench and treated like a multiyear investment ... objectively decide whether you'll get a good return on your investment in the form of job enhancement, knowledge enhancement, etc...

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 22, 2010, 05:54:10 am
content: If you're going to hire a test engineer with experience in this field, I'd involve him/her in the equipment selection.It also highly depends on the specs of the component. See for example this article abouttesting the bias current of the LMC6001 which is 25fA max. That required a custom piece of test equipment. You might also need something like an electrometer or RF equipment like a spectrum analyzer and signal generator.I agree that the budget seems low for a professional setup. Without knowing the requirements, my guess would be something like an Agilent 34410A DMM, Agilent 33220A/33250A function generator, etc. Just these two will be more than $2000. I would expect that you have to prove your accuracy to your customers, that means regular calibration. I would expect calibration labs to refuse to certify a hacked 50MHz scope for 100MHz (it's outside the manufacturers specifications).I would try to find out what the standard equipment is used by manufacturers, and try to stick to that. You probably want to control the instruments from something like Labview, make sure all equipment has GPIB/USB/LAN, and factor in costs for licenses and development. If you're going for automated measurements (seems like a good idea for repeated tests), the National Instruments test equipment might also work.