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Directly Replace IC Or Using OscilloScope To Test Out First?

By Jestine Yong on September 25, 2009

Every electronic repairer have their own way or procedure in troubleshooting electronic problem. I’m not sure which one would you use first i.e directly replace the IC or getting an Oscilloscope to test out the signal first? Actually for me it depends on the situation, if i have stock for the IC i will directly replace the IC and retest the set and if it still don’t work i will just keep that IC for future use. If it work then it will be good. Although i could use an oscilloscope to test out the signal first, as mention above it is your preference as some repair tech would test out the signal first before replacing with a new IC.

I would only use scope if i do not have the IC in my spare parts compartment. I will have to refer to the IC schematic and make sure the IC is indeed bad before ordering a new IC. Which method do you use and why?

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12 Comments

arjunaidi

September 25, 2009 at 9:18 pm

Hi Jestine,

what scope would you recommend for a beginner? what are the "must have features? where to buy and at what price range?

thanks,

arjunaidi

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Alpha gaspi

September 26, 2009 at 3:17 am

oscilloscope is a very important tool in the design of all electronic equipements it used to measure signal activity arround circuits and helps you see what actualy goes on in the circuit if you understand signals and what they mean it would save cost.

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Alpha gaspi

September 26, 2009 at 3:26 am

and time by just measuring activity around the ic and that would give you a fair idea if the ic is good, and that saves money and time.

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behzad

September 26, 2009 at 12:07 pm

GOOD DAY MR YONG
frist i ck the bad ic with scop and compar with schematic if the ic
was bad then i change the ic
in this way i save my time/ money /and energi that is why?
best luck
beh

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Waleed

September 26, 2009 at 3:36 pm

sometimes I could from the outside appearance of the ic that it is bad..like a mark of burn or something. I directly repalce if I have the same ic in my shop..other wise I test. but most of the time, when I replace it works..so I do not bother with testing.

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admin

September 27, 2009 at 4:46 pm

Thanks guys for your contribution!

Jestine

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admin

September 27, 2009 at 4:51 pm

HI Arjunaidi,

Get a 2 channels 100 mhz analog scope to that in the future you would not need to upgrade anymore unless when you are referring to Digital scope. You may buy from ebay.com or from any local electronics shop that sells used test equipment. The best is to find from local yellow pages and the price range is depends on the brand name. Most of the scope have all the features that we need to repair electronics problem like measuring waveform, AC, DC signal and etc.

Jestine

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jayaselvan

March 22, 2010 at 4:33 am

Hi Mr.Jestine, where can i find a low price used analogue any old model
scope for hobbyist work. .I tried at pasar road but very expensive.Thnx

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admin

March 22, 2010 at 4:43 am

HI Jaya,

I suggest that you check from yellow pages. Try call the test equipment companies to see if they have any used or display unit for sale or not.

Jestine

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safdar

July 28, 2011 at 12:27 pm

hi jestine!

i think directly replace an ic is better because sometimes you cant get ic datasheet from internet, i have come across ic cxa 2159s which i could not find its datasheet from internet so i think its hard to use oscilloscope to check it. also even if you get the schematic its hard to check the ic in some equipment because for example in my case i think power is blinking due to internal short circuit of this ic so in this case i will not be able to check it by using oscilloscope.
the best way is derectly replace an ic and retest.

thanks,

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admin

July 28, 2011 at 8:59 pm

HI Safdar,

Yes you can do it that way too.

Jestine

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Amendar

February 6, 2014 at 6:02 pm

Hi

I think the most important point is to find out fault(s) and its cause,
is it design, component quality or something else that makes it.

Sometime repaired sets returned to workshops after some time, so we should consider the life time of component or our repair.

I think testing is important unless you have plenty of experiments about the problem.

And thanks for all post here.

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