Testing a circuit board may seem like a daunting task if you are not technically proficient. However, IGI plotter specialists attest that, testing circuit board components like transistors, capacitors, resistors and integrated circuits may be done to some extent without the need for removing the components from the board itself. Here are some tips.

Disconnect The Power

First thing that you need to do is to disconnect the power from the printed circuit board and then discharge all inductors and capacitors, which may pose a safety concern. Confirm if the wiring on the board has been correctly done by looking at the physical condition of each component located on the board. Look for the presence of charred, cracked or loose parts. Replace and repair as needed.

Connect and then turn on the power to the circuit board once more and then measure the voltages on the inputs and outputs of each o the components present. You may use a voltmeter to determine voltage level of all the components’ input and output pins. For each voltage level checked, determine if it features the correct voltage level. Rule out a component as a defective one if all the voltage level inputs and outputs are correct.

Take out a component if its entire input pin have the correct voltage but one or more of the output pins is at the wrong output voltage and then turn the power back on. Measure the voltage where the measured components once were. Replace a component if the voltage measurements are at the correct voltage levels with the component removed.

Phototooling toolbox specialists, recommend that you measure the voltage levels of the output pins of the component that attaches to the input pins of the first component checked. Perform this task only if component A’s input pins have a wrong voltage level. Look for the wiring error if the output voltage measurements of component B’s pins are not the same as the input voltage on component A’s pins.