UEE505: ANALOG AND DIGITAL SYSTEMS
EXPERIMENT NO: 1(b)
AIM: Identification & Testing of Various Electronics Devices.
APPARATUS: Digital Multimeter, Resistors, Capacitors, Diodes/LED and Transistors.
THEORY: DIGITAL MULTIMETERS: A Multimeter is an electronic device that is used
to make various electrical measurements, such as AC and DC voltage, AC and DC current,
and resistance. It is called a Multimeter because it combines the functions of a voltmeter,
ammeter, and ohmmeter. Multimeter may also have other functions, such as diode test,
continuity test, transistor test, TTL logic test and frequency test.
Fig 2.1: Digital Multimeter
RESISTANCE MEASUREMENT:
Fig 2.2: Symbol of Resistance
1. Connect the positive (red) test lead to the ‘V/mA’ jack socket and the negative
(black) lead to the ‘COM’ jack socket.
2. Set the selector switch to the desired ‘OHM Ω’.
3. If the resistance to be measured is part of a circuit, turn off the power and
discharge all capacitors before measurement.
4. Connect the test leads to the circuit to be measured.
5. The resistance value should now appear on the digital display.
6. If the resistance to be measured is part of a circuit, turn off the power and
discharge all capacitors before measurement.
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UEE505: ANALOG AND DIGITAL SYSTEMS
MULTIMETER TEST OF DIODES:
Fig 2.3: Symbol of P-N diode.
1. Set the Lab DMM to Diode Testing mode.
2. Measure the forward and reverse bias voltages of the given diodes and record them:
i. Forward Bias Voltage:
Place the RED probe on the Anode. Touch the BLACK probe to the
Cathode and record the reading
ii. Reverse bias voltage:
Place the RED probe on the Cathode. Touch the BLACK probe to the
Anode and record the reading
MUTIMETER TEST OF CAPACITOR:
Fig 2.4: Symbol of Capacitor
Test & Check a Capacitor by a Digital Multimeter:
1. Make sure the capacitor is discharged.
2. Set the meter on Ohm range (Set it at lease 1000Ohm = 1k).
3. Connect the Meter leads to the Capacitor terminals.
4. Digital meter will show some numbers for a second. Note the reading.
5. And then immediately it will return to the OL (Open Line). Every attempt of Step 2
will show the same result as was in step 4 and Step 5. It’s mean that Capacitor is in
Good Condition.
6. If there is no Change, then Capacitor is dead.
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UEE505: ANALOG AND DIGITAL SYSTEMS
Checking Capacitor by Multimeter in the capacitance Mode:
1. Make sure the capacitor is fully discharged.
2. Remove the capacitors from board or circuit.
3. Now Select “Capacitance” on your multimeter.
4. Now connect the capacitor terminal to the multimeter leads.
5. If the reading is near to the actual value of the capacitor (i.e. the printed value on the
Capacitor container box).
6. Then the capacitor is in good condition. (Note that the reading may be less than the
actual value of the capacitor (the printed value on the Capacitor container box).
7. If you read a significantly lower capacitance or none at all, then capacitor is dead and
you should change it.
MULTIMETER TEST OF TRANSISTOR:
As with diodes, it is usually the case that a transistor either works or it doesn't. So again we
will be able to make a few simple tests with a meter to see if a transistor is good or bad.
You can think of a transistor as two back-to-back diodes in one package as shown in Figure
5.
Note that transistors come in two basic types: NPN and PNP. The letters C, B, E stand for
COLLECTOR, BASE, and EMITTER which are the names of the three leads which come
out of a transistor.
Transistors come in many different case styles, three of which are shown in Figure 6. It is
important to know where C, B, E are for any given case.
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UEE505: ANALOG AND DIGITAL SYSTEMS
TESTING TRANSISTORS:
Assuming you know if the transistor is NPN or PNP, and assuming you know where B, C,
and E are, then just test the B-C junction and the B-E junction as if they were standard
diodes. if one of those junctions is a "bad diode", then the transistor is bad.
Also, check the resistance from C to E using a higher Ohms scale (say, the 2 Meg scale). Be
sure your fingers don't touch the metal test points or you will just measure your skin
resistance.
If the transistor is good, you should get an open-circuit reading from collector to emitter.
USING METER TO SEPARATE NPN FROM PNP:
If you have a transistor but you don't know if it is NPN or PNP, then you can find out which
it is using your Ohm-meter if you know which lead of your meter is positive.
Assuming you know where C, B, and E are on the transistor, do the following. Connect the
positive lead of your Ohm-meter to the base. Touch the other lead of your meter to the
collector. If you get a reading, the transistor is NPN. To verify, move the lead from the
collector to the emitter and you should still get a reading.
If your meter reads open-circuit, then connect the negative lead to the base and touch the
positive lead to the collector. If you get a reading, then the transistor is PNP. Verify by
measuring from base to emitter.
PRECAUTIONS:
1. Be sure the test leads and rotary switch are in the correct position for the desired
measurement.
2. Never use the meter if the meter or the test leads look damaged.
3. Never measure resistance in a circuit when power is applied.
4. Never touch the probes to a voltage source when a test lead is plugged into the 10 A
or 300 mA input jack.
5. To avoid damage or injury, never use the meter on circuits that exceed 4800 watts.
6. Never apply more than the rated voltage between any input jack and earth ground.
7. Be careful when working with voltages above 60 V DC or 30 V AC rms. Such
voltages pose a shock hazard.
8. Keep your fingers behind the finger guards on the test probes when making
measurements.
