Patent ID: 7319339

Claim:
An inspecting apparatus which inspects a target object to be inspected, comprising: a contact mechanism which brings at least a first probe into contact with an inspection electrode of the target object to be inspected: a power source circuit which applies a voltage between said at least a first probe and the inspection electrode so as to bring about a fritting phenomenon in an insulating film and to break a part of the insulating film; a circuit which stops the applying of the voltage between said at least a first probe and the inspection electrode when a current flowing between the at least a first probe and the inspection electrode reaches a limiting current value; the at least a first probe which is brought into electrical contact with the surface of a part of the inspection electrode, the insulating film of the part of the inspection electrode having been broken by the fritting phenomenon; and a tester which is connected to the at least a first probe and inspects the electrical characteristics of the target object.