On Thu, 26 Dec 2002, Ethan Dicks wrote:
> Tothwolf <tothwolf_at_concentric.net> wrote:
>
> > 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.
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
Received on Fri Dec 27 2002 - 02:49:00 GMT