Test & Measurement
Latest News
2-04-2024 | [Partner Content] SIGLENT is excited to unveil three new series of oscilloscopes designed to improve...
29-03-2024 | Do you need an isolated connection to an oscilloscope? You can buy a solution, or you can DIY! If yo...
7-03-2024 | Do you have a need to find faulty capacitors? High ESR can lead to problems. Back in 2002, Elektor p...
22-02-2024 | Want to repurpose an operational amplifier from a previous project or an old parts collection? You c...
4-12-2023 | [Partner Content] SDS7000A provides 4 analog channels and 16 digital channels, with bandwidths of 3G...
31-10-2023 | [Partner Content] With the all-new R&S MXO 5, Rohde & Schwarz continues to evolve its series of next...
3-07-2023 | [Partner Content] As software development becomes more complex and sophisticated, the process of fin...
19-06-2023 | Want to measure the key characteristics of audio circuits? Join the June 29, 2023, webinar, "Afforda...
Multimeters & Sensors
Measuring Milliohms with a Multimeter
Inexpensive multimeters typically lack the capability to measure in the milliohm range, while specialized equipment for this purpose can be costly. However, a straightforward circuit described below enables milliohm measurements to be conducted safely using a standard multimeter. This circuit primarily comprises a 6 V voltage regulator and a mains adapter capable of delivering approximately 300 mA at a voltage range of 9 to 12 V.Download free article
Electronic Equipment Repair: Tools, Techniques and Tips
Interested in cutting costs and prolonging the lifespan of your electronic devices? Take matters into your own hands by repairing your tools and equipment! This comprehensive guide covers everything from mastering fundamental tools to identifying common component faults, empowering you to confidently tackle repairs and enhance the longevity of your devices.Read article online
Siglent SDM3045X Multimeter
A handheld multimeter is always convenient to have on hand. But a benchtop multimeter can be a true gamechanger. In this article, the well-known YouTuber Philippe Demerliac reviews Siglent’s SDM3045X bench multimeter. The unit behaves like a basic multimeter, but it offers additional features that can be quite helpful, including different display modes; a statistical mode that displays the mean, min, max, and standard deviation of measurements; a dual display; built-in help; and much more.Download free article
Review: Owon OW18E Bluetooth Multimeter
Looking for a multimeter capable of wirelessly transmitting measurement data to a smartphone or tablet? You can achieve this with a multimeter with Bluetooth capability that's paired with a dedicated app. In this article, we explore the performance of the Owon OW18E Bluetooth Multimeter, which boasts numerous features, functionalities, and impressive accuracy.Download article
Multi-Purpose Instruments
Elektor MultiCalculator Kit
It looks like a standard calculator, but it’s far more than that! It can ensure light, temperature, differential temperature, decode NEC IR remote control codes and perform other tasks. 22 Modes of operation are embedded in this state-of-the-art project by Ton Giesberts and Ruud van der Meer. Read online article
VirtualBench: Multi-function Measurement Instrument
VirtualBench, by National Instruments, has introduced a completely new type of measurement instrument, which combines five instruments in a compact enclosure. The operation is done entirely through a computer or tablet. Elektor has explored its functionality in a review by Harry Baggen and Luc Lemmens.Download article
JOY-iT LCR-T7 Multi-Function Tester
For testing discrete components, multi-function testers are always quite useful, for both passive and active parts. Sometimes, in their cases, values or type numbers are worn-out, and in the case of discrete semiconductors with unknown type numbers, you may want to check what kind of component it is. Even if you can visually identify the part, you may want to know if it still works and if it — to some degree — complies with its original specifications. Here, a tester like the JOY-iT LCR-T7 comes in handy: just a quick test to understand which component we are dealing with, or at least to see if it is the part we really needed, or not.Read online article
LCR Meter: The UNI-T UT603 (Review)
Let’s take a look at the UT603 from UNI-T. This portable tester allows to measure inductance, capacitance and resistance of electronic components. In this review by Jean-François Simon, we see all the capabilities of this versatile instrument.Read online article
CAD-CAE & Simulation SW
CAD for PCBs
Among the vast audience of engineers and makers who work with electronics, no-one is content to leave their design at the breadboard stage. Particularly with SMD components or relatively complex circuits, this is critical, and prototyping boards are not the ideal solution. A real PCB is a must, in such cases. For that you need suitable software, and to choose the right software, you need information. PCBs are essential nowadays, not only because they look nice but also because the stability and reliability of electronic circuits are strongly dependent on how well the circuits are built. In this article you’ll find an overview of the most popular free and non-free PCB layout software. Download article
Simulation with SystemVision
In circuit designs, circuit simulation is a valuable tool for finding errors at an early stage. On the market there are lots of Spice-based programs available for this purpose, but they are usually rather expensive. Free versions are also available, but most of them are limited. Mentor Graphics recently launched SystemVision Cloud as a free browser-based simulation tool. Let’s have a look! Download article
Magnetic Field Simulation with FEMM
Coils and transformers are Inductive parts that have always had their vagaries. Frequently they are customized for specific applications, sometimes without a in-depth understanding of their actual operation. By simulating these objects first, you can understand them better and avoid unnecessary burdens during the design stage. Download article
Circuit Simulation With Micro-Cap
Every electronics enthusiast should have a circuit simulator as a part of his/her toolbox, just like a power supply, a multimeter and an oscilloscope. And like every other SW instrument, to get the most out of a program, you must spend some time learning how to use it. In this article, we show you how to make your first steps using the freeware simulator, Micro-Cap. Download free article
Related Products
HTi HT-03 Thermal Imaging Camera
The traditional inferred thermometer needs to measure every component one by one while it is not necessary for infrared imaging camera, thus saving time. The potential problems may be displayed on color display screen clearly. Moreover, the central point measurement cursor is used to locate quickly and accurately to measure the temperature of the target object.
Great Scott Gadgets HackRF One SDR + Opera Cake Antenna Switch (Bundle)
HackRF One is a Software Defined Radio (SDR) peripheral capable of transmission or reception of radio signals from 1 MHz to 6 GHz. Designed to enable test and development of modern and next generation radio technologies, HackRF One is an open source hardware platform that can be used as a USB peripheral or programmed for stand-alone operation.
OWON SDS1202 2-ch Oscilloscope (200 MHz)
The OWON SDS1202 2-channel oscilloscope features a high 200 MHz bandwidth, a sample rate of 1 GSa/s, an ultra-thin body and a 7-inch high resolution color LCD. The scope supports SCPI and LabVIEW.
LabNation SmartScope USB Oscilloscope
With the SmartScope you develop your digital interfaces using the 100 MS/s logic analyzer. With this tool you can design any signal you want using Excel, then upload it to the built-in Arbitrary Waveform Generator (AWG). At the end capture the voltage at any point of your design at 100 million times each second.
July 2024 Webinar
Interested in Test & Measurement? So are we! Join Elektor’s engineers and editors for a webinar in July 2024. We are currently planning the topic and curriculum. Once we have more details, we will post all the information on the Elektor Webinars page. Stay tuned!