DCA75 - Atlas DCA Pro Advanced Semiconductor Analyser Information:
The DCA75 is a great instrument for identifying and testing a wide variety of semiconductor components. Just
connect any way round! The DCA75 will perform the following:
- Display component type (such as N-CH MOSFET, darlington transistor etc).
- Display component pinout (such as drain, source, gate etc).
- Display detailed parameter measurement.
- Plot characteristics curves on your PC.
Features:
- Built-in graphics display to show detailed schematic of the component you're testing as well as pinout and measurement data.
- USB connectivity to allow curve tracing, data storage/retrieval and device matching on your Windows® PC.
- Single internal AAA alkaline cell for standalone operation.
Includes:
- DCA75 Semiconductor Component Analyser.
- PC software on a USB Flash Drive.
- Micro USB cable.
- Fitted universal premium hook probes.
- AAA Alkaline battery.
Technical Specifications
General specifications:
Test current (into short circuit): ±12mA (typical)
Test voltage (into open circuit): ±12V (typical)
Component Support
- Bipolar transistors (NPN/PNP inc Silicon/Germanium)
- Darlington transistors (NPN/PNP)
- Enhancement mode MOSFETs (N-Ch and P-Ch)
- Depletion mode MOSFETs (N-Ch and P-Ch)
- Junction FETs (N-Ch and P-Ch). Both symmetrical and asymmetrical types.
- Enhancement IGBTs (N-Ch and P-Ch).
- Diodes and diode networks (2 and 3 lead types).
- Zener diodes (up to about 9V).
- Voltage regulators (up to about 8V).
- LEDs and bi-colour LEDs (2 lead and 3 lead types).
- Low power sensitive Triavs and Thyristors (<10mA trigger and hold)
Measurements
- BJT current gain (hFE).
- BJT base emitter voltage (Vbe).
- BJT collector leakage current.
- MOSFET on and off gate threshold voltages.
- MOSFET transconductance.
- JFET pinch-off voltage.
- JFET transconductance.
- JFET IDSS (drain current for Vgs=0)
- IGBT on and off gate threshold voltages.
- IGBT transconductance.
- Voltage regulator output voltage.
- Voltage regulator quiescent current consumption.
- Voltage regulstor drop-out voltage.
- Zener voltage.
- Diode forward voltage drop.
PC Communications
- Micro USB socket (supplied with micro USB to standard USB cable).
- Supports Windows® XP, Vista, 7 and 8 (32 bit and 64 bit versions).
- Does not currently support Linux and Mac directly.
FAQs
Q.Can the DCA75 be used in-circuit?
A.No.
It is not possible to take into account the influence of other unknown
components around the component you're trying to test and results can be
misleading. Also, it is possible that you may damage your instrument if
there is any unexpected charge in your circuit. We know that it's not
always easy, but we recommend that you test components that are not
connected to other parts.
Q.Is the DCA75 ok with
germanium transistors, can it measure leakage current and does it take
into account the leakage current for it's gain measurement?
A.Yes.
The DCA75 will detect the germanium (or silicon) type of semiconductor.
It will measure leakage current and it takes that leakage into account
when measuring gain (unlike most multimeter hFE measurements).
Q.I've
noticed the leakage current of my germanium transistor gradually drop
with each subsequent measurement. Is the battery failing or something
else wrong?
A.Leakage current is extremely
temperature dependent and particularly noticeable for germaniums as the
current is fairly high to start with. The leakage current can double for
just a 5°C increase in temperature. So after some handling, the
transistor temperature slowly falls and can lead to a decreasing leakage
current. That's completely normal and correct. Additionally, DCA75 test
currents are completely independent of battery condition.
Q.The Collector and Emitter of my germanium transistor is showing the wrong way round, is the DCA75 wrong?
A.If
the leakage current of the germanium transistor is quite high (due to
warming from your fingers for example), the DCA75 can reject the
"correct" pinout. However, it will then search for all other device
types and configurations. It can, in those circumstances, find a
transistor of opposite type (NPN/PNP) and with the C-E swapped (although
gain can be very low). Tests in a simple circuit confirm that you can
get a germanium transistor to work, with some gain, in that way. So the
DCA75 is not wrong, it's just found a configuration that yields a low
leakage current. Try keeping your transistor cool during testing to
avoid this situation.
Q.Can the Atlas DCA75 measure Zener diodes?
A.Yes.
The DCA75 can test Zener diodes up to around 11V. Zeners with a reverse
voltage of less than around 8V will be tested at 5mA, higher voltage
ones may be tested at a lower test current. The test current is
confirmed on the display.
Q.Can I use the DCA75 to match transistors?
A.Yes.
The main parameters that you may be interested in are hFE and VBE. Both
of these parameters are measured by the DCA75. This enables you to
group your transistors that have similar gain figures for example.
Additionally, the use of the curve tracing facility allows even greater
flexibility for your desired matching requirements.
Q.What will the DCA75 show if my component is faulty?
A.Generally,
the DCA75 would show "No component found". Sometimes it may still be
able to see a pn (diode) junction within the component you're testing,
in which case it would display "Diode or diode junction(s)". If there is
a short circuit within your component then the DCA75 will display
"Short circuit on RED GREEN" for example.
Q.Can my Atlas DCA75 be upgraded online?
A.Yes.
The PC software will check your instrument to make sure it's got the
latest firmware, it will then offer to upgrade it for you.
Q.Why can't the DCA75 analyse triacs or thyristors that need higher currents than 10mA?
A.The
test currents of the DCA75 are deliberately low to avoid damage to any
potentially random component that can be connected any way round. The
Peak Atlas SCR (model SCR100) is aimed specifically at analysing a wide
range of triacs and thyristors that require test currents from less than
100uA up to 100mA.
Q.My voltage regulator won't test out correctly on the DCA75, what's wrong?
A.There
are many varieties of voltage regulator available and some can't be
tested on the DCA75. Firstly, the regulator voltage needs to be around
8V or lower for it to be testable. Secondly, there are some regulators
that just aren't stable unless they're in their intended circuit with
decoupling caps and a suitable load.
Q.Will you have software that can run on a Mac or under Linux available?
A.We don't have immediate plans for releasing non-Windows software, although we are investigating the possibility.
Q.I have a suggestion for a new supported component type or new feature, what can you do?
A.We'd
love to hear any new component or new feature suggestions. We're a
flexible company and we'll do our best to implement new features when
possible.
Q.How long is the warranty period?
A.The warranty period is 24 months. This doesn't cover accidental damage or abuse however.
Downloads
Software installation guide (EN)
Latest software and firmware package
User Guide (EN)
Benutzerhandbuch (DE)
Data Sheet (EN)
Optional
certificate of calibration includes results of manual verification
tests. Instrument is calibrated the same way regardless of whether you
require the certificate.
No recommended products at the moment.
No recommended products at the moment.