testing transistors and capacitors.

Thread Starter

roltex_rohit123

Joined Jan 1, 2010
72
how can i test a transistor like hsd965, a power mosfet like IRF9z34 and general NPN and PNP transistor with my multimeter? also i wanted to know how to test capacitors.
 

beenthere

Joined Apr 20, 2004
15,819
For transistors, a diode check function is most handy. Most meters have that included.

In general, you should see a PN junction Base to Emitter, and Base to Collector. Unless the transistor is germanium, there should not be any conduction Emitter to Collector in any polarity.

For FET's, there is the inherent Drain to Source diode, which is in opposition to the polarity of the device. If you can read that PN junction, and all other terminals show open, the FET is probably good. What is handy is that they nearly fail short, whereas transistors can go open or short.

Capacitors other than electrolytic don't fail without changing color or showing obvious signs. Electrolytics often show swollen cases, split vents, or do explode. If your capacitor is in one piece, it will be within the stated tolerance. We are done with the old wax and foil and silver mica monsters that did show value changes.
 

SgtWookie

Joined Jul 17, 2007
22,230
Sometimes, capacitors fail without showing any external signs of distress.

Just the other day, I repaired one of our televisions that had a failed 220uF 200v electrolytic capacitor. One of the leads had separated internally from it's plate connection, resulting in an open circuit. The TV's picture had displayed obvious signs of a cap failure in the power supply (bad 60Hz "waves" on screen) before it's supply resistor burned up.

If your meter is the old fashioned D'arsonval type meter movement, you can discharge the capacitor with a low value resistor, then set your meter to read Ohms, and touch the test leads to the terminals. The meter needle will momentarily go towards nearly 0 Ohms, and then settle towards infinite.

A safer method is to discharge the capacitor, and then charge it via a resistor while measuring the voltage across the cap. You can then get an idea of the capacitance via the RC time constant.

See this chapter in our E-book: http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_1/chpt_16/index.html
 
Last edited:

Thread Starter

roltex_rohit123

Joined Jan 1, 2010
72
Sometimes, capacitors fail without showing any external signs of distress.

Just the other day, I repaired one of our televisions that had a failed 220uF 200v electrolytic capacitor. One of the leads had separated internally from it's plate connection, resulting in an open circuit. The TV's picture had displayed obvious signs of a cap failure in the power supply (bad 60Hz "waves" on screen) before it's supply resistor burned up.

If your meter is the old fashioned D'arsonval type meter movement, you can discharge the capacitor with a low value resistor, then set your meter to read Ohms, and touch the test leads to the terminals. The meter needle will momentarily go towards nearly 0 Ohms, and then settle towards infinite.

A safer method is to discharge the capacitor, and then charge it via a resistor while measuring the voltage across the cap. You can then get an idea of the capacitance via the RC time constant.

See this chapter in our E-book: http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_1/chpt_16/index.html
hey i'm a newbie and moreover i am a medical biotechnologist just started to leanr electronics. have some pity on me...
 

SgtWookie

Joined Jul 17, 2007
22,230
Gee, I thought I was being helpful, and even gave you a reference where you can learn about RC time constants. :confused:

If you don't understand a portion of what was written, please quote the portion that you don't understand, and we will try to explain it so that it is more easily understood.
 

Thread Starter

roltex_rohit123

Joined Jan 1, 2010
72
Gee, I thought I was being helpful, and even gave you a reference where you can learn about RC time constants. :confused:

If you don't understand a portion of what was written, please quote the portion that you don't understand, and we will try to explain it so that it is more easily understood.
yes i will do all to be good at electronics.. thankyou
 
Top