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    Looking for suggestion about a component analyzer

    Hi guys,
    I'd like to know your opinions about which component analyzer would be a good choice. I'm looking for something that would assist me in the testing of THT and SMT type of components from motherboards and other type of circuit boards usually found on TV sets and computer circuit boards etc.

    I know about the different versions of the Peak atlas component analyzer and their prices ranging from around $90 to $200.

    Regards,

    #2
    Re: Looking for suggestion about a component analyzer

    As far I can tell the description as component analyzer is synonymous to a bench top LCR bridge, which is capable other than measuring in full every parameter of coils / capacitors and resistors, it is also loaded with special software for analysis of transistors and other components with mixed properties.

    Another description as components analyzer, is some functionality similar to what an LCR bridge do, found on same old oscilloscopes.

    And the third and last category is the very latest portable LCR bridges,
    which caused an significant revolution in the market today.
    With a damn low cost of ownership as 300-400$ you get significant functionality found on 1400$ starting price of bench-top solutions.

    And now I will have to ask, what you are really looking for?

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Looking for suggestion about a component analyzer

      The Peak products are pretty good, but there are some cheap alternatives on ebay for a fraction of the price.
      Like this unit from China:
      http://www.ebay.ca/itm/New-Transisto...t_12474wt_1344
      36 Monitors, 3 TVs, 4 Laptops, 1 motherboard, 1 Printer, 1 iMac, 2 hard drive docks and one IP Phone repaired so far....

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Looking for suggestion about a component analyzer

        smason - Has anyone you know purchased the low cost ebay special you mentioned to try it out? I was thinking of buying one to see if it could be used to get inboard ESR readings (specs don't mention if it uses 100KHz).

        I too am looking at the Peak Atlas series (Blue, purple) to troubleshoot a Polaroid TLA04641C 46" Flatscreen Control Box. I have a Heathkit IT2250 Capacitance meter that I use after removal, but it would be nice to get something to speed up the process.

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Looking for suggestion about a component analyzer

          No-one I know, but there's a thread here:
          http://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/

          Sounds like it's not too bad for the money.
          36 Monitors, 3 TVs, 4 Laptops, 1 motherboard, 1 Printer, 1 iMac, 2 hard drive docks and one IP Phone repaired so far....

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Looking for suggestion about a component analyzer

            A pdf referenced in the discussion you linked to talked about the Chinese clones on ebay and how to modify the design to improve accuracy. I quote the post from the thread originator:
            I won't quote the entire section on how the ESR is done. However, the doc confirms that the device will only determine ESR for caps over 2uF. I suspect this is because the frequency is only 680Hz instead of the more traditional 100KHz. Apparently it repeats the test 128 times and sums the values to derive the final answer, but he cautions that the ESR test is not to be considered accurate compared to a dedicated ESR meter.

            It is interesting to note the effort that has gone into adjusting the capacitance measurement accuracy. Again, I was just skimming, but he seems to have done some extensive testing of the raw capabilities compared to an LCR meter and a multimeter, (looks like the native ATmega results fell between the two) then formulated some correction factors to bring the results closer in line to the LCR results.

            A lot of thought and effort went into this little thing -- on his part, anyway. The Chinese just copied and mass produced.
            Attached Files

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Looking for suggestion about a component analyzer

              Originally posted by untershine View Post
              A pdf referenced in the discussion you linked to talked about the Chinese clones on ebay and how to modify the design to improve accuracy.
              Thanks for adding that, I should have mentioned that the ESR function is questionable, but for a quick component tester and lead identifier, it seems to be adequate.
              36 Monitors, 3 TVs, 4 Laptops, 1 motherboard, 1 Printer, 1 iMac, 2 hard drive docks and one IP Phone repaired so far....

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Looking for suggestion about a component analyzer

                Thanks for the feedback guys.

                Kiriakos GR, I'm a beginner electronics technician, although I have some background and studies now is the time to get into practice and begin real study.
                I've been putting a lot of money in developing my shop and I won stop, but I have to grow at the right pace. At the moment what I need is a device (below $200 new or used) that makes it easier, more accurate and complete when it comes to testing diodes, transistors, ICs etc. You know sometimes the defective component you can easily spot with a meter if it's open or shorted but other times the defect is different and for someone who is not experienced it could be impossible to differentiate good from bad.

                The new Atlas DCA Pro looks very cool.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Looking for suggestion about a component analyzer

                  Thanks for the original link smason.
                  I just added to cart. For $25 I can run a play-by-play on using it as an inboard troubleshooting tool. If it can stay in the ballpark and indicate bad caps (compared to an Atlas blue, purple) I would be satisfied.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Looking for suggestion about a component analyzer

                    i can vouch for the peak atlas dca,its a brilliant aid for identifying components,and what leg is what,it takes some of the time away from looking at data sheets to confirm what is what.

                    tells you hfe etc of fets etc,also it gives you a go no go on the part so good for letting you know the part is good or bad,(as long as the part is in the dca's infantry),i have one and use it all the time

                    all in all well worth the money
                    fixed so far...376 lg lcd tv's,24 onn tv;s,24 panasonic lcd,16 jvc lcd,12 marshall jcm800 amps,refurb of various disco equipment lighting,old style disco decks ,and a flymo!

                    ----------------------------------------------
                    please let us know if everything works ok if your tv gets fixed, as it will be and aid for anyone else having the same problem and wishing to fix it.it would save people clogging up this site with topics that are duplicated,and can be found easily using the search function.,and taking up valuable space.enjoy your fixed tv!,hopefully!

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Looking for suggestion about a component analyzer

                      A Peak Atlas DCA recent video

                      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo_BejqYSF8
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                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Looking for suggestion about a component analyzer

                        Originally posted by Beowulf View Post
                        Thanks for the feedback guys.

                        Kiriakos GR, I'm a beginner electronics technician, although I have some background and studies now is the time to get into practice and begin real study.
                        I've been putting a lot of money in developing my shop and I won stop, but I have to grow at the right pace. At the moment what I need is a device (below $200 new or used) that makes it easier, more accurate and complete when it comes to testing diodes, transistors, ICs etc. You know sometimes the defective component you can easily spot with a meter if it's open or shorted but other times the defect is different and for someone who is not experienced it could be impossible to differentiate good from bad.
                        Well for your information the game today had become even more complex,
                        now days we have to detect even the fake ICs, fake transistors, and fake capacitors.
                        The key in all measurements is that what you hold so to measure something to belong at the trusted side of the equipment that is supposed that they are the right ones for the job.

                        Either way I have a tip for you, if you have second thoughts about any component, use an analog multimeter as reference too..
                        Nothing can hide as half-damage in front of a mighty needle. :-)

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Looking for suggestion about a component analyzer

                          Originally posted by untershine View Post
                          A pdf referenced in the discussion you linked to talked about the Chinese clones on ebay and how to modify the design to improve accuracy. I quote the post from the thread originator:
                          I won't quote the entire section on how the ESR is done. However, the doc confirms that the device will only determine ESR for caps over 2uF. I suspect this is because the frequency is only 680Hz instead of the more traditional 100KHz. Apparently it repeats the test 128 times and sums the values to derive the final answer, but he cautions that the ESR test is not to be considered accurate compared to a dedicated ESR meter.

                          It is interesting to note the effort that has gone into adjusting the capacitance measurement accuracy. Again, I was just skimming, but he seems to have done some extensive testing of the raw capabilities compared to an LCR meter and a multimeter, (looks like the native ATmega results fell between the two) then formulated some correction factors to bring the results closer in line to the LCR results.

                          A lot of thought and effort went into this little thing -- on his part, anyway. The Chinese just copied and mass produced.
                          so in all honesty are these good for testing esr in circuit or not i was going to purchase one but not sure if it will be accurate enough do you have to re calibrate after each esr test?

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Looking for suggestion about a component analyzer

                            I'm no expert but I suspect NO device is capable of ginving trouble-free ESR measurements in-circuit.
                            I repair a lot of monitors, and very often there are 2 identical capacitors in parallel.
                            So say we have 2 1000uf@25v in parallel. We should see 2000uf capacitance +- any other stuff in the circuit that may affect the reading.

                            Now for ESR, what should we see? I'd think .01 or less.
                            So now what if 1 cap is bad and has say 10 ohms ESR. The other cap is fine at say .03 ohms. What reading would you expect to see?
                            36 Monitors, 3 TVs, 4 Laptops, 1 motherboard, 1 Printer, 1 iMac, 2 hard drive docks and one IP Phone repaired so far....

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Looking for suggestion about a component analyzer

                              Originally posted by smason View Post

                              Now for ESR, what should we see? I'd think .01 or less.
                              So now what if 1 cap is bad and has say 10 ohms ESR. The other cap is fine at say .03 ohms. What reading would you expect to see?
                              not sure as still learning electronics but i usually remove the caps and test them that way but i only have a capacitance meter hence why looking at this esr device its cheap i am out of work at the minute so cant afford much so at the price this does not seem bad. so i would remove the capacitor then check out of circuit to be safe then check the capacitor spec sheet. so reading the blog in the link they seem ok but not sure about the esr meter calibration? and do you need to re-calibrate after each capacitor test?.
                              http://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/

                              Comment


                                #16
                                Re: Looking for suggestion about a component analyzer

                                I always remove the suspected bad component and test it off the board since it may have another components in parallel with the component you are trying to test.
                                Since I use PANASONIC cap for replacement, I will take the reading of the suspect cap and compare it to the PANASONIC reading. I usually install the new cap to see if it fix the problem (then use the scope/meter to look at the ripple, noise, voltages) and also take the reading of the suspect cap to verify its reading. I also take the ESR reading before and after heating it with the hair dryer. It is always good to find out the spec of the suspected caps first so you know what it should be.
                                Last edited by budm; 03-07-2013, 12:20 PM.
                                Never stop learning
                                Basic LCD TV and Monitor troubleshooting guides.
                                http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...956#post305956

                                Voltage Regulator (LDO) testing:
                                http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...999#post300999

                                Inverter testing using old CFL:
                                http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...er+testing+cfl

                                Tear down pictures : Hit the ">" Show Albums and stories" on the left side
                                http://s807.photobucket.com/user/budm/library/

                                TV Factory reset codes listing:
                                http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24809

                                Comment


                                  #17
                                  Re: Looking for suggestion about a component analyzer

                                  cheers budm whats your own opinion on the one in the ebay link

                                  http://www.ebay.ca/itm/New-Transisto...t_12474wt_1344
                                  http://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/$20-lcr-esr-transistor-checker-project/

                                  Comment


                                    #18
                                    Re: Looking for suggestion about a component analyzer

                                    The link to EBAY has been removed.
                                    One function I do not see on the EEVBLOG is for ZERO Ohm adjust for the test leads.
                                    Last edited by budm; 03-07-2013, 02:01 PM.
                                    Never stop learning
                                    Basic LCD TV and Monitor troubleshooting guides.
                                    http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...956#post305956

                                    Voltage Regulator (LDO) testing:
                                    http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...999#post300999

                                    Inverter testing using old CFL:
                                    http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...er+testing+cfl

                                    Tear down pictures : Hit the ">" Show Albums and stories" on the left side
                                    http://s807.photobucket.com/user/budm/library/

                                    TV Factory reset codes listing:
                                    http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24809

                                    Comment


                                      #19
                                      Re: Looking for suggestion about a component analyzer

                                      http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1810723297...84.m1438.l2649
                                      https://www.badcaps.net/forum/attach...2&d=1362341612 as in post 6 link to pdf of tester

                                      Comment


                                        #20
                                        Re: Looking for suggestion about a component analyzer

                                        Thanks for the manual (so it does have ZERO cal), for $20 I may buy one to play with.
                                        Never stop learning
                                        Basic LCD TV and Monitor troubleshooting guides.
                                        http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...956#post305956

                                        Voltage Regulator (LDO) testing:
                                        http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...999#post300999

                                        Inverter testing using old CFL:
                                        http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...er+testing+cfl

                                        Tear down pictures : Hit the ">" Show Albums and stories" on the left side
                                        http://s807.photobucket.com/user/budm/library/

                                        TV Factory reset codes listing:
                                        http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24809

                                        Comment

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