Simple opamp tester

[Nikolay]

Hi guys.
This is my opamp tester. This device work more than 90% accuracy. This unit can test almost all single, dual and quad opamps with standart pinout like tl071, tl072 and tl074. Some parts are smd. I was inspired by elektor's opamp tester, but I make a few changes.

Here is the project
http://n-audio.net/manuals/oat1.pdf

I make a short video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-_xmFPmFg8

If you like to give some idea how to improve this device, or how to make other simple tests, please tell us.

Enjoy.
Niki

 

[jdbakker]

It helps to know what the thing is supposed to test.

JDB.
[while I can make an educated guess from the schematics, it's much better to have the full context]

 

[abbey road d enfer]

I don't want to be snotty, but somehow it reminds me of the "incandescent light-bulb tester" project.

 

[Kingston]

It helps to know what the thing is supposed to test.

Looks to me like it in a very broad way tests if the opamp is somehow broken/fried, like a cable tester.

 

[jdbakker]

It helps to know what the thing is supposed to test.

Looks to me like it in a very broad way tests if the opamp is somehow broken/fried, like a cable tester.

Like I said, I can make an educated guess, but it helps to know the OP's intentions for sure.

JDB.

 

[Nikolay]

Hi, guys. Thanks for your answer.
Before a long time I get a old and big studiomaster console for repair. Almost all active parts are gone. All opamps was on sockets. I start to think how to make simple opamp tester. The device make a quick check of the opamp. Actually better is to use signal generator, scope etc, but for 30+ opamps (single, double and quad) is better something simple. I search over the net some projects, and I found the elektor's idea. I love it, because it's simple. I make a few changes: single power supply. All parts are most common and most used.

This tester make simple check of normal operation. I tell you that it's is 90% accurate, because maybe some opamps can be broken and pass the test. I use this device from a 1-2 years, and It is really useful for quick check.

I don't write how to work this device, because I think, that this is not necessary in this forum. If you check the schematics, all blocks are marked. Also my english is not so good. Sorry about this.


Niki

 

[JohnRoberts]

Back in the '70s when the reliability of even brand new opamps was questionable, I used to test ICs 100% before supplying them to my kit customers. It saved me a lot of grief when troubleshooting kit builder problems over the telephone to know that the ICs I supplied were good, before the customers touched them. 

My test found almost 100% were functional, but I would find around 1% or less (5-10 out of 1000 pc test run) that had subtle noise floor, DC offset, or other issues. To screen for this I ran them at very high gain.

I found that by culling out these few dubious parts I enjoyed very good reliability from the rest. By the '80s, the reliability of the part received were good enough that I stopped testing.

I found it useful to have a zero insertion force socket, a gizmo with a lever that clamps the IC leads after it drops in place, that dramatically saves wear and tear on the parts, and the tester.

JR