Curve Tracer Basics What do all these buttons do

[@Edisson.]

Hi, I consider the curve tracer to be one of the most useful measuring devices for component testing. I always wanted to have at least one on my desk, but since I live in the Czech Republic it is basically unavailable to me. So I built at least a classic octopus as a base, good, but not enough, I managed to buy a non-functional copy of the Tektronix TI-210 and fix it, it is a big improvement over the octopus, but the max voltage is 60V and it doesn't have a step generator, so classic transistor tests can't be done. In combination with an arbitrary generator, I managed to create a step image of the transistor, but I am still limited by the max voltage. The new Huntron models are absolutely amazing, which can not only create a curve, but also measure the tested component. You create amazing videos, I always look forward to new ones, I love Tektronix devices and old HPs. I once had this idea, could a tracker be modified to measure tubes? Nice day 🙂Tom

[@MarqueeLongbow]

Great video, Can you do another using the same curve trace, as I have a 577 and a much older 575 , but using Jfets and if possible V-fets as I have a few V-fets of unknown health and these are very rare devices .

[@ZenwizardStudios]

I do not have a 575 unfortunately to put in front of the camera.

[@oturgator]

Great request. This 577 saved me a bunch of headache when some shady looking V-Fets started to appear on eBay for a fraction of the average price. If it weren’t to this equipment, I may have used them in an amplifier and caused some damage. However, I have carried out those measurements with touch and feel, a more accurate measurement guide from your side would be much appreciated.

[@MarqueeLongbow]

@@oturgator If you remeber how you set it up for the V-fets that be great if you could post it. The 577 I have needed to PS rebuilt and I got it to work but never tested it, just power on and used the Beam finder to get a trace and line. Well yesterday I tried to check some 2SA1220A and I I could not get any spteps to generate. Not sure If I had it set up right or if the step gen is not working. So more investigation is needed

[@MarqueeLongbow]

@@ZenwizardStudios Using the 577 for Fets would be fine as well.

[@larrybud]

So yes, I want to see more. Not sure how often you use a curve tracer but how about a vide on a real world application then next time you use it during a repair? Also, are there modern equivalents out there at a reasonable price with the same feature set?

[@ZenwizardStudios]

It is not a use often but when I need it only a curve tracer will fit the bill. Unfortunately the modern equivalent is MUCH higher in price as there is no unit that duplicated a 576 or 577. The current way this is done is with two or more SMU units. These either need to be high voltage or high power. Minimum cost is $15,000 with a computer to control them.

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

Training is always good, especially on these.. How about doing the same on 576.. maybe check some mosfets and zeners?

[@ZenwizardStudios]

That is the plan there is some additional buttons and knobs on the 576. So we started with the slightly less complex unit.

[@AmishSpecialForces]

Do you have a 575? I’d like to see a video on one of those.

[@ZenwizardStudios]

I do have a 576 that is here in the lab yes.

[@AmishSpecialForces]

@ , a 575, the old original transistor curve tracer. I have a video of one on my channel.

[@browntown52]

I think you mentioned in a 576/7 video, that one of them had a bad transformer that was hard to source a replacement. I picked up a giant multitap tek transformer in an electonics store recently likely from a 500 series scope, but im not sure. Do you know the model # of transformer you need?

[@ZenwizardStudios]

It is the HV transformer in the 576. This one is unique to the 576 it is PN 120-0612-02

[@browntown52]

@ZenwizardStudios dang, was worth a shot, the one I found today is a 120-232 (likely later marked 120-0232-01) which isn't on tekwiki but it's undoubtedly for a 500 scope. Don't have an immediate need for it so I thought I'd check if it could help you out. I think I'll check my 561 to see if I really got lucky ~($1/pound) worst case I can use it in a tube amp build

[@chongli297]

Wow, you have a bunch of curve tracers! Do you have any plans for them or are you mainly collecting them?

[@ZenwizardStudios]

Not collecting really but I did kind of fall down the rabbit hole for a little while.

[@chongli297]

@@ZenwizardStudios Completely understandable! These really are amazing machines

[@dayv_ee]

Would you ever sell any? Repairing some old tek scopes and one of these would be very handy.

[@HectorLopez-jw2ke]

Show some tunel diodes and other inusual stuff

[@8BitNaptime]

Always wanted one, but I don't trust people's packaging skills on ebay