26 Dec
2002
26 Dec
'02
6:49 p.m.
On Thu, 26 Dec 2002, Ethan Dicks wrote:
Tothwolf <tothwolf(a)concentric.net> wrote:
I'm not sure about cheaper, but it would certainly be easier to buy one. I
found plans for a computer interfaced design by Silvio Klaic at
[http://student.math.hr/~sklaic/electronics/ictester/] (which currently
seems to be down), but I'm not 100% certain it would work for all the CMOS
logic chips I need to test. The software part of the tester looks like it
can handle the chips, but I haven't had much time to study the schematic
of the hardware. Perhaps it's time I buy a new breadboard (or repair the
old one) and wire up the circuit ;)
-Toth
Nice! This is something I've been researching
within the last few
days. I have a pile of 4000 series CMOS logic chips I need to test
before reinstalling in some ancient boards, but I'm at a loss as to
the most efficient and simplest way to test them. Does anyone have any
suggestions? I think most of the chips are 4011, 4027, 4028, 4042,
4049, etc.
I have a hand-held chip tester that I got a while ago (+10 years). We
paid back its cost on the first use at work: an IBM 5150 PC that was
used as a terminal for a Northwest Instruments analyzer began beefing
about some problem or another. We gave the chip tester to an intern and
told them to start testing RAMs. Found the offending 4164 and pulled
one from the parts bins above his head. Put a $20,000 anaylzer back to
work.
In the absence of a chip tester, I have no good solution except to build
one. Given the level of effort involved, unless you are doing it for
fun, it's cheaper to go out and buy one.