Peak Electronics DCA75, Atlas DCA Pro User Manual
Peak Atlas DCA Pro
Advanced Semiconductor Component Analyser
with Graphics Display and PC connectivity
Model DCA75
Designed and manufactured with pride in the UK
User Guide
©
Peak Electronic Design Limited 2012/2015
In the interests of development, information in this guide is subject to change without notice - E&OE
GB75-1.4
Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4
Page 2
Want to use it now?
We understand that you want to use your Atlas DCA Pro right now.
The unit is ready to go and you should have little need to refer to this
user guide, but please make sure that you do at least take a look at the
notices on page 5.
Contents Page
Introduction....................................................................................4
Important Considerations...............................................................5
Analysing Semiconductors - Standalone mode..............................6
Diodes......................................................................................8
Zener Diodes............................................................................9
Diode Networks .....................................................................10
LEDs......................................................................................11
Bicolour LEDs (2-lead types) ................................................12
Bicolour LEDs (3-lead types) ................................................13
Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs).......................................14
Darlington Transistors ...........................................................18
Enhancement Mode MOSFETs .............................................21
Depletion Mode MOSFETs ...................................................22
Enhancement Mode IGBTs....................................................23
Depletion Mode IGBTs..........................................................24
Junction FETs (JFETs) ..........................................................25
Thyristors (SCRs) and Triacs.................................................27
Voltage Regulators ................................................................28
Contents continued on next page…
Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4
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Contents (continued) Page
PC Software Installation............................................................29
Windows XP Installation .......................................................30
Windows Vista, 7 and 8 Installation ......................................31
Running the DCA Pro software for the first time ........................32
Analysing Semiconductors – PC mode ........................................33
PC mode - Curve Tracing functions.......................................34
PC mode - Exporting your data..............................................35
PC mode - Special functions..................................................36
Audible Settings...........................................................................37
Care of your Atlas DCA Pro........................................................38
Self Test Procedure ......................................................................39
Appendix A - Troubleshooting ....................................................40
Appendix B - Technical Specifications........................................41
Appendix C - Analysis test circuits..............................................43
Transistor test circuit .............................................................43
JFET/MOSFET/IGBT test circuit..........................................44
Diode test circuit....................................................................45
Voltage regulator test circuit..................................................46
Appendix D - Warranty Information............................................47
Appendix E - Disposal information .............................................47
Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4
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Introduction
The Peak Atlas DCA Pro is an advanced semiconductor analyser that
combines simplicity, ease of use and a range of advanced features. You can use
your DCA Pro on its own or in combination with a laptop or desktop PC.
Summary Features:
• Automatic component type identification and schematic display:
Bipolar transistors.
Darlington transistors.
Enhancement Mode and Depletion Mode MOSFETs.
Enhancement Mode and Depletion Mode IGBTs.
Junction FETs.
Low power sensitive Triacs and Thyristors.
Light Emitting Diodes.
Bicolour LEDs.
Diodes and Diode networks.
Zener diodes.
Voltage regulators.
• Automatic pinout identification, just connect any way round.
• Special feature identification such as free-wheeling diodes and
resistor shunts.
• Gain measurement for bipolar transistors.
• Leakage current measurement for bipolar transistors.
• Silicon and Germanium detection for bipolar transistors.
• Gate threshold measurement for Enhancement Mode MOSFETs.
• Semiconductor forward voltage measurement for diodes, LEDs and
transistor Base-Emitter junctions.
• Zener voltage measurement.
• PC connectivity providing:
Larger component identification display.
Detailed characteristics measurement.
Curve tracing functions.
• Single alkaline AAA battery (not used when USB connected).
• Automatic and manual power-off.
Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4
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Important Considerations
Please observe the following guidelines:
•
This instrument must NEVER be connected to powered
equipment/components or equipment/components with any
stored energy (e.g. charged capacitors). Failure to comply
with this warning may result in personal injury, damage to
the equipment under test, damage to your DCA Pro and
invalidation of the manufacturer’s warranty.
•
The DCA Pro is designed to analyse semiconductors that
are not in-circuit, otherwise complex circuit effects will
result in erroneous measurements.
•
Avoid rough treatment, hard knocks and extreme
temperatures.
•
This unit is not waterproof.
•
Only use a good quality AAA Alkaline battery.
Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4
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Testing...
Analysing Semiconductors – Standalone mode
The DCA Pro is designed to analyse discrete,
unconnected, unpowered components. This
ensures that external connections don’t
influence the measured parameters. The three
test probes can be connected to the component any
way round. If the component has only two terminals, then
any pair of the three test probes can be used.
The DCA Pro will start component analysis when the on-test button is
pressed.
For the first analysis (after the unit has
been switched off) the tests are
performed while displaying the Peak
logo.
For subsequent testing when the unit
is already powered-up, the unit
displays the “Testing…” screen.
Depending on the component type, analysis may take a few seconds to
complete, after which, the results of the analysis are displayed.
Information is displayed a “page” at a time, each page can be smoothly scrolled
by briefly pressing the scroll-off button.
Although the DCA Pro will switch itself off if left unattended, you
can manually switch the unit off by holding down the scroll-off
button for a couple of seconds.
Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4
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No component
detected.
Unknown/faulty
component.
Red & Blue
leads shorted.
Red, Green & Blue
leads shorted.
If the DCA Pro cannot detect any
component between any of the test
probes, the following message will be
displayed:
If the component is not a supported
component type, a faulty component or
a component that is being tested incircuit, the analysis may result in the
following message being displayed:
Some components may be faulty due to
a shorted junction between a pair of the
probes. If this is the case, the following
message (or similar) will be displayed:
If all three probes are shorted (or very
low resistance) then the following
message will be displayed:
It is possible that the DCA Pro may detect one or more diode
junctions or other component type within an unknown or faulty part.
This is because many semiconductors comprise of PN (diode)
junctions. Please refer to the section on diodes and diode networks for
more information.
Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4
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Diode junction
Green-K Blue-A
V
F
=0.694V at 5.00mA
Diodes
The DCA Pro will analyse almost any type of diode. Any
pair of the three test clips can be connected to the diode, any way
round. If the unit detects a single diode, a message similar to the following
will be displayed:
In this example, the Cathode (symbol of
K) is connected to the Green test clip
and the Anode (symbol of A) is
connected to the Blue test clip,
additionally, the Red test clip is unconnected.
The forward voltage drop is also displayed; this gives an indication of the
diode technology. In this example, it is likely that the diode is a standard
silicon diode. A germanium or Schottky diode may yield a forward voltage of
about 0.25V. The current at which the diode was tested is also displayed. The
DCA Pro typically tests diodes (PN junctions) at a forward current of 5mA.
Note that the DCA Pro will detect only one diode even if two diodes
are connected in series when the third test clip is not connected to the
junction between the diodes. The forward voltage drop displayed
however will be the voltage across the whole series combination.
The DCA Pro will determine that the diode(s) under test is an LED if
the measured forward voltage drop exceeds 1.50V. Please refer to the
section on LED analysis for more information.
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Zener diode
Red-K Blue-A
V
R
=5.094V at 5.00mA
Red-K Blue-A
V
R
=5.094V at 5.00mA
V
F
=0.702V at 5.00mA
Zener Diodes
The DCA Pro supports Zener diodes (and Avalanche
diodes). Additionally, the instrument can measure the Zener
voltage*.
Connect any pair of the 3 test leads to the Zener diode.
Following analysis, the component
details are displayed.
In this example, a Zener diode with a
reverse voltage (Zener voltage) of
nearly 5.1V has been detected.
Additionally, the forward biased
voltage characteristic is measured, 0.702V at 5mA for this example.
The DCA Pro attempts to test the Zener diode with a current of nominally
5mA. For Zener diodes with a Zener voltage of more than about 9V, a lower
test current will be used. This is illustrated in the following graph:
0
1
2
3
4
5
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Zener Voltage (Volts)
Test Current (mA)
*The DCA Pro may not be able to identify Zener diodes with a Zener voltage
of more than 11V. It will however still identify the diode junction in its
forward biased mode.
Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4
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2 diode junctions
#1: Diode junction
Green-K Blue-A
#1: Diode junction
Green-K Blue-A
VF=0.699V at 5.00mA
#2: Diode junction
Red-A Blue-K
VF=0.683V at 5.00mA
Diode Networks
The DCA Pro will identify multiple diode junctions
between the probes. For three terminal devices such as
SOT-23 diode networks, all three test clips must be
connected.
The instrument will show the results for each diode junction in turn.
Firstly, the unit will show that it has
found a number of diode junctions:
The details for the first diode are then
displayed (Diode #1). In this example,
the Green test clip is on the Cathode of
diode #1 and the Blue test clip is on the
Anode.
The details for the second diode are
then displayed (by briefly pressing
scroll-off):
It can be seen in the above example, that the blue test clip is connected to both
the anode on Diode #1 and to the cathode of Diode #2. This means that the two
diodes are effectively connected in series, with the blue clip at the mid point.
This example is illustrated below:
#1
Green Red
Blue
#2
In the same way as the single diode analysis, the forward voltage for each
diode is measured for a nominal test current of 5mA.
Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4
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LED
Red-K Blue-A
V
F
=1.962V at 5.00mA
LEDs
An LED (light emitting diode) is really just another type of
diode, however, the DCA Pro will determine that an LED or
LED network has been detected if the diode’s measured
forward voltage drop is larger than 1.5V. This also enables the
DCA Pro to intelligently identify bicolour LEDs, both two-lead
and three-lead varieties. See the section on bicolour LEDs for more
information.
For two leaded parts, connect any pair of the 3 test clips to your LED. Leave
the 3rd lead unconnected.
In this example, the Red test clip is
connected to the LED’s Cathode
(negative) and the Blue test clip is
connected to the Anode (positive).
The forward voltage of the LED is measured at a nominal current of 5mA.
During the analysis process, the LED will briefly illuminate (so you
can see it’s illumination colour). The test current of 5mA means that it
may not be as bright as you expect, LEDs are often used at currents of
10-20mA. Power LEDs are sometimes driven at 350mA or more.
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Bicolour LED (2 lead)
#1: LED
Red-K Blue-A
#1: LED
Red-K Blue-A
VF=1.823V at 5.00mA
Bicolour LEDs (2-lead types)
Bicolour LEDs are generally available in two main varieties;
2-lead and 3-lead types.
This section describes the testing of 2-lead
bicolour LEDs. These types are internally
connected in inverse parallel (back-to-back).
Similar to the diode network analysis, each LED within the
bicolour LED is detailed in turn.
This example shows that LED #1 has
its Cathode connected to the Red test
clip and its Anode connected to the
Blue test clip. The forward bias
characteristic is shown for LED#1,
1.823V at 5mA in this example.
Pressing scroll-off then shows the
details for the 2nd LED in the bicolour
LED package.
As expected for 2-lead bicolour LEDs,
we can see in this example that LED#2 has its connections in exactly the
opposite configuration to LED#1.
Note that it is common for the two LEDs within a bicolour LED to
have different forward voltage characteristics. Red is often the lowest
forward voltage, progressing through amber, yellow, green and then
blue (or white) with the highest forward voltage. See the table at the
bottom of the next page.
#2: LED
Red-A Blue-K
VF=1.944V at 5.00mA
Atlas DCA Pro User Guide April 2015 – Rev 1.4
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Bicolour LED (3 lead)
Common Cathode
#1: LED
#1: LED
Red-A Green-K
VF=1.935V at 5.00mA
#2: LED
Green-K Blue-A
VF=1.877V at 5.00mA
Bicolour LEDs (3-lead types)
3-lead bicolour LEDs are available in
common cathode and common anode
varieties. The DCA Pro supports both types.
In the same way as the 2-lead bicolour LED
analysis, each internal LED is detailed separately on the
DCA Pro screen.
The type of bicolour LED is shown
here, in this example we have a
common cathode variety.
The details for each internal LED are
then shown.
It can be seen here that our example has
its common cathode terminal connected
to the Green test clip.
Typical values of forward voltage for LED colours are shown here:
(LED types/manufacturers may vary significantly)
LED Colour Typical VF @ 5mA
Red 1.81V
Amber 1.86V
Yellow 1.90V
Green (standard type) 1.95V
Green (deep green / emerald) 2.84V
Blue (and white) 2.95V
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Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs)
Bipolar Junction Transistors are simply “conventional”
transistors, although variants of these do exist such as
Darlingtons, devices with free-wheeling diodes, resistor
shunted types and combinations of these types. All of these
variations are automatically identified by the DCA Pro and their schematic
symbol is displayed on the screen. Both NPN and PNP types are supported.
The 3 test clips can be applied to the transistor in any configuration.
As an example, testing a common
PNP transistor such as the 2N5401
will result in a display similar to this:
This example shows that the Red test
clip is connected to the Emitter, the
Green is connected to the Base and
the Blue test clip is connected to the
Collector.
Pressing scroll-off allows further details to be displayed.
The DC current gain (hFE), base emitter voltage drop (VBE) and collector
leakage current (ICLeak) are all shown along with their test conditions.
Refer to the following sections for more details on these measurements.
PNP Silicon BJT
Red-E Green-B Blue-C
hFE=106
hFE=106
at IC=5.00mA
VBE=0.754V
VBE=0.754V
at IB=5.00mA
I
C
Leak=0.000mA
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Current Gain (h
FE
)
DC current gain (hFE) is the ratio of the
collector current (less leakage) to the
base current for a particular operating
condition.
The DCA Pro measures hFE at a collector
current of nominally 5.0mA and a
collector-emitter voltage of between 3V
and 9V.
The gain of all transistors can vary
considerably with collector current,
collector voltage and also temperature.
The displayed value for gain therefore
may not represent the gain experienced at other collector currents and voltages.
This is particularly true for large devices.
The displayed value of gain is very useful however for comparing transistors of
a similar type for the purposes of gain matching or fault finding.
Darlington transistors can have very high gain values and more variation of
gain will be evident as a result of this.
The current gain of germanium transistors can vary a large amount
with changes in temperature. Even the warmth from your fingers can
alter the gain of a germanium device.
It is quite normal for transistors of the same type to have a wide range
of gain values. For this reason, transistor circuits are often designed so
that their operation has little dependence on the absolute value of
current gain.
I
C
=5.0mA
I -I
(I = leakage
current)
C Cleak
Cleak
h
FE
=
I
B
I
B
hFE=167
at IC=5.00mA
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