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Author Topic: testing circuits....  (Read 7788 times)

jamiewoody

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testing circuits....
« on: December 10, 2009, 06:27:12 PM »

i know this can be done with  a fluke multi-meter.

but, i heard about this device, it's basic shape was like a magic marker, so to speak.

it has a light on it. if you touch a dead component with it, it will light up (or not light up, cant remember which).

i hear that is the quickest way of troubleshooting.

any idea of this? what it is called? how much they cost?
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Gordonjcp

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Re: testing circuits....
« Reply #1 on: December 10, 2009, 08:52:19 PM »

Doesn't sound reasonable.  I think the thing you are thinking of is a circuit tester like a neon screwdriver, which will tell you if a mains circuit is live.

If you want to track down faulty components, you need to have the circuit diagram and a bit of an idea how the circuit is supposed to work.  If you can find it, try to track down a copy of "Are the Voltages Correct?", a reprint of a series of articles in Practical Wireless in the early 80s.
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phantompowers

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Re: testing circuits....
« Reply #2 on: December 10, 2009, 10:15:10 PM »

I think you may have seen it on Dr. Who.
The device you are looking for is called a 'Sonic Screwdriver'.
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jamiewoody

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Re: testing circuits....
« Reply #3 on: December 15, 2009, 05:18:20 PM »

i think i'll get an analog multimeter. that is what everybody keeps telling me to do, and what most people like to use. i may get one soon...they have them on sale at radio shack (who i usually avoid like the plague!) for around $16.
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Dylan

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Re: testing circuits....
« Reply #4 on: December 15, 2009, 06:53:34 PM »

I think you may have seen it on Dr. Who.
The device you are looking for is called a 'Sonic Screwdriver'.

If this was facebook, I'd like this post.
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Circuitbenders

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Re: testing circuits....
« Reply #5 on: December 16, 2009, 12:17:32 PM »

Get a cheap digital multimeter with a continuity tester. Theres some stuff you can't do on a digital meter that you can on an analogue but i doubt you'll come accross it and a digital meter is a lot easier.
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Matt the Modulator

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Re: testing circuits....
« Reply #6 on: December 17, 2009, 11:44:31 AM »

Pass me the hydro-spanners
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