Patent ID: 7268571

Claim:
A method for characterizing a contactor for automated semiconductor device testing, the method comprising: placing the contactor on a contactor test board positioned within an automated test apparatus; contacting a first probe of the automated test apparatus to a conductive layer of the contactor test board; placing a second probe on a first end of a contactor pin of the contactor, wherein the contactor pin is operable to linearly translate within the contactor; applying a predetermined pressure to the contactor pin via the second probe, therein translating a second end of the contactor pin toward the contactor test board; measuring an electrical characteristic of the contactor pin between the first probe and the second probe; comparing the measured electrical characteristic to a desired electrical characteristic; determining a condition of the contactor pin based on the comparison of the measured electrical characteristic and the desired electrical characteristic; and approving the contactor pin if the measured electrical characteristic matches a desired electrical characteristic within a predetermined range.