[sdiy] transistor matching circuit

[Roy J. Tellason]

On Friday 17 December 2004 10:25 pm, Jim Thompson wrote:
> Hello Group,
> Always looking to help, I have access to the expensive Tektronix curve
> tracer linked below if anyone needs transistor data. It's awesome and will
> tell you anything you need to know while testing any semiconductor up to
> 2000 volts.
>
> http://www.metrictest.com/product_info.jsp?mfgmdl=TEK%20370
>
> Jim

Wow,  that sure beats the heck out of that B&K unit I have that only goes up 
to 100V or so.  Though there's really not much that I care to do that needs 
more than that,  except for the testing of salvaged parts,  and some of the 
repairs I used to do.

> From: Peter Grenader <peter at buzzclick-music.com>
>
> >To: <xyzzy at sysabend.org>
> >CC: SDIY <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
> >Subject: Re: [sdiy] transistor matching circuit
> >Date: Tue, 14 Dec 2004 15:53:49 -0800
> >
> >As lame as this definition may be, a curve tracer plots the
> > voltage/current curve of anything plugged into it's test socket.  It
> > usually involves with it a scope in the X/Y mode, but many have built in
> > tubes of their own. Depending on the tracer's sophistication, one can
> > arrange the DUT (device under test) to a plethora of load configurations
> > giving way  to 'see' many different parametric specs on the tube.
> >
> >For instance, if you put  5 volt zener in there and raise the test voltage
> >slowly you'll see basically a straight line which will elbow sharply at
> >somewhere around 5.1 volts indicating it's breakdown voltage.  While one
> >would not need a tracer to test a diode's limit, there are many parameters
> >that these things will come in handy for - transistor beta being one of
> >those as it's not linear.
> >
> >We use to use them to sample test diodes and trannies at incoming
> >inspection, which the guys there hated doing because there was no handler
> >nor automated test involved.  You 'd have to set the machine up, insert
> > the correct adaptor and basically test them one at a time by hand,
> > inserting and
> >reinserting and raising the voltage for each then making a visual
> >determination if the thing was to spec or not - their hesitancy was
> >understandable.
> >
> >They are way cool machines though.
> >
> >- P
> >
> >Tom Arnold wrote:
> > > On Tue, Dec 14, 2004 at 03:17:26PM -0800, Peter Grenader wrote:
> > >> There a few of curve tracer scope fixtures on ebay right now going
> >
> >pretty
> >
> > >> cheaply - under $50. The full blown tek's with the tube displays are
> >
> >still
> >
> > >> pricey at about $500
> > >
> > > Pardon me for being dense, but what exactly is a curve tracer?
> > > I see them surplus all the time for cheap but never paid much attention
> >
> >to
> >
> > > them.