Reference Articles 1 - 100 of 100
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Measuring the Smart Way
From: Mouser Electronics, Inc.Description: By Gregory Quirk, Mouser Electronics A smart meter is a way to record power consumption and communicate that information back directly to the power company for accurate usage and billing purposes. ...
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ESD Standards: An Annual Progress Report by the ESD Association
From: All-Spec IndustriesDescription: Industry standards play a major role in providing meaningful metrics and common procedures that allow various manufacturers, customers, and suppliers to communicate from facility to facility around ...
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Uses for Electrical Meters Part 2
From: All-Spec IndustriesDescription: Sometimes you need a more specialized device. This week we are going to look at a few of these specialized meters and what they are used for. ...
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Uses for Electrical Meters Part 1
From: All-Spec IndustriesDescription: There are many types of electrical meters, but their uses are not always clear. This week we are going to focus on voltmeters, resistivity meters and nanocoulomb meters. ...
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What are the ESD Classifications? A Look at the Charge Device Model
From: All-Spec IndustriesDescription: Charge device model (CDM) is concerned with making sure the device itself does not get charged. ...
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What are the ESD Classifications? A Look at the Human Body Model
From: All-Spec IndustriesDescription: When working with ESD sensitive products you need to know exactly what protection is needed. ...
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AC Dielectric Testing
Description: A new approach to cable diagnostics is discussed in the present paper. It combines the advantages of testing with variable frequency over non standard wave shapes for commissioning and diagnosis on ...
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Onsite Cable Testing
Description: A new approach to cable diagnostics is discussed in the present paper. It combines the advantages of testing with variable frequency over non standard wave shapes for commissioning and diagnosis on ...
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Partial Discharge Measurement
Description: "Partial Discharge Measurements" 2008 Paper by Phenix introducing the basic concepts of partial discharge testing. ...
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Technical Challenges in the Measurement of Insulation Resistance
Description: A brief overview is presented of the need for and the technical challenges associated with obtaining a high quality insulation resistance measurement on plastic insulated power and control cables. ...
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Fault Zone Analysis - Identifying Motor Defects Using the Rotor Fault Zone
From: PdMA CorporationDescription: Using a combination of online and offline tests to form a six fault zone approach offers a more complete analysis of motor health. ...
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Leakage Current on Two Phase Appliance Appnote
From: QuadTech Inc.Description: Traditionally most multifunction electrical safety testers are designed for measuring leakage current on single phase products. It is possible to use the QuadTech Guardian 6100 Plus to measure leakage ...
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400Hz AC Hipot Testing for
From: QuadTech Inc.Description: Many engineers face the challenge of designing and manufacturing electrical equipment that is used on aircrafts, ships, land vehicles, and other aircrafts flying at high altitudes. The most ...
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Insulation Tester Basics
Description: One of the most commonly used instruments in industrial maintenance is an insulation resistance tester. Since insulation breakdown can cause production loss and is a safety hazard, industrial ...
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Basic Facts about Electrical Safety Testing (.pdf)
From: Slaughter CompanyDescription: Due to differences in testing standards across the globe it is becoming increasingly important for manufacturers to ensure that their products are safe for consumer and industrial use. What was once a ...
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Exploring the Benefits of New Hipot Testing Technology (.pdf)
From: Slaughter CompanyDescription: Like many industries reliant upon technology, the electrical test and measurement field has progressed in leaps and bounds since its early days. Safety testing equipment is no different; Hipot testers ...
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Improving Production Line Efficiency (.pdf)
From: Slaughter CompanyDescription: It seems that only recently a new wave of electrical safety testing equipment came to market promising to make production line testing safer, faster and more efficient. Although skeptical of these new ...
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Line Leakage Testing - Is it Right for Your Application? (.pdf)
From: Slaughter CompanyDescription: The Line Leakage test (LLT for short) is most often specified to be performed as a type test in a design or engineering laboratory or as a routine production line test on medical devices right before ...
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Alternate Probe and Socket Removal Techniques (.pdf)
Description: This application note details instruction methods on how to remove alternate probes and sockets. ...
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High Pre-load Spring Force Probes (.pdf)
Description: In today's challenges of penetrating through Pb-free, OSP, No-Clean and other highly contaminated PCB targets, QA is pleased to offer our high pre-load spring probes. These high pre-load springs offer ...
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Installing Socket and Probe (.pdf)
Description: Following these instructions will ensure that QA Technology sockets are installed in the correct manner for best accuracy, retention force and overall performance. ...
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Razor Probe Life Test Performance Comparison (.pdf)
Description: The objective of this application note is to compare Life Test performance of the 039mil "8R-S" Razor probe design, using a 039-PRP168RX-S probe installed into sockets mounted into a test block, both ...
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Razor Tip Performance Qualification Study (.pdf)
Description: This application note details the performance qualification study of the 100mil 8R-S Razor Tip. ...
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Removing Sockets and Probes (.pdf)
Description: Extraction Tools are used when a probe/socket assembly has been damaged and must be replaced. Removal of sockets on closely spaced grids is a delicate process. Care must be taken not to damage ...
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Teradyne Long-Stroke Interface Probes (.pdf)
Description: QA Technology's long-stroke interface probe, part number 100-PRG2441S, was designed to be used as a replacement probe for Teradyne's Test Station "LH" and "LX" test systems. This application notes ...
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Test Probes Spring Force Considerations (.pdf)
Description: When selecting probe spring force for vacuum fixtures, consider these factors: 1) Total probe spring force 2) Condition of contact surfaces 3) Distribution of probes across the probe field ...
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X Probe Drilling Suggestions (.pdf)
Description: When drilling X Probe fixtures, the size and straightness of the hole is very important. The holes must be straight, without a taper and must be aligned to each other when the plates are stacked ...
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X Probe® Socketless Series Troubleshooting (.pdf)
Description: As with any new technology, proper use of the product is essential to its success. QA is here to help you through these challenges. The following are some tips and troubleshooting suggestions. ...
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Case Study: Assembly in Action: Supplier Key to Machine Builder's Success
From: MISUMI USADescription: Cincinnati Automation & Test (Machesney Park, IL), a division of MAG Cincinnati Automation (Sterling Heights, MI), builds automated assembly and testing equipment for the automotive, truck and ...
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Clamp Meters: Getting the Most-Needed Functions
Description: When you are responsible for installations, maintenance, repairs, and overhauls of "everything industrial," your toolbox can fill up pretty quickly with all the tools and test equipment needed to ...
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Video - How to Use a AEMC 3945 PowerPad Power Analyzer
Description: Video - How to use an AEMC 3945 Power Quality Analyzer. Covers set up, menu items, data storage and logging. Standard issue is configuration for logging; engineers will setup, log and not capture the ...
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How to Use a Fluke 435 Power Quality Analyzer
Description: Video - How to use a Fluke 435 Power Quality Analyzer. Covers set up, menu items, data storage and logging, and using it with FlukeView pc software. Most common technical issue with the Fluke 435 is ...
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56-Gbaud PDM-QPSK: Coherent Detection and 2,500-km Transmission (.pdf)
From: Teledyne LeCroyDescription: A 56-Gbaud (224-Gb/s line rate) polarization-division multiplexed quadrature phase shift keyed (PDM-QPSK) signal is transmitted over 2,500 km (32 x 80 km) of fiber and is coherently detected using an ...
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A Comparison of Methods for Estimating Total Jitter Concerning Precision, Accuracy and Robustness (.pdf)
From: Teledyne LeCroyDescription: Oscilloscopes have been used extensively to analyze the jitter performance of serial data links providing estimates (measurements) of total jitter as well as its "random" and "deterministic" parts. ...
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Cable De-Embedding (.pdf)
From: Teledyne LeCroyDescription: Cable De-Embedding is a standard feature on all LeCroy SDA 7 Zi Series Oscilloscopes. This feature enables the user to remove the effects of a cable from their measurements. ...
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Custom 2-Pole PLL (.pdf)
From: Teledyne LeCroyDescription: Jitter is defined as the timing uncertainty of an edge. In order to determine the timing uncertainty of a serial data signal edge, this edge must be compared to a reference clock edge. For most high ...
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External Triggering For PCI Express® Analyzers (.pdf)
From: Teledyne LeCroyDescription: External triggering is a valuable function for any protocol analyzer, enabling the analyzer to work synchronously with other test equipment. ...
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Jitter Transfer Measurement in Clock Circuits (.pdf)
From: Teledyne LeCroyDescription: With increasing transfer rates and lower jitter margins, the performance of clock generation circuits has become of increasing importance. A key measurement of the performance of clock circuits is ...
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Accurate Power Measurements Using Spectrum Analyzers (.pdf)
From: Aeroflex IncorporatedDescription: The aim of this application note is to provide information allowing for better use of the power measurement functions, to explain the measurement method employed and to highlight the causes for ...
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Basic Electrical Troubleshooting (.pdf)
From: PdMA CorporationDescription: A boiler feed pump being powered by two 3500 HP induction motors appears to be developing a problem. Failure of this pump will result in the loss of a generator currently producing half the station's ...
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Plugging into Reliability (.pdf)
From: PdMA CorporationDescription: At first glance, the device merely looks like a silver briefcase with a laptop computer that's taken out into the field by Upgrading's maintenance crews. But the MCE/Emax (motor circuit evaluator) ...
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Flash testing: Getting it right during manufacturing
From: Seaward Group USADescription: The flash Test (also known as High Voltage (HV), Dielectric Strength or HiPot) is one of the more controversial electrical safety tests and has provoked a lot of discussion and debate in recent years. ...
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Quantifying Crosstalk Induced Jitter (.pdf)
From: Teledyne LeCroyDescription: Multi-lane serial data links are susceptible to crosstalk from adjacent lanes as well as external aggressors. The resulting interference increases the jitter and noise on the victim lanes and can ...
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Selection Guide to Clamp-On Current Probes
From: AEMC InstrumentsDescription: Clamp-on current probes are designed to extend the current measuring capabilities of DNNs, power instruments, oscilloscopes, hand-held scopes, recorders or loggers and other diverse instruments. The ...
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Safety First with Ultrasonic Sensors (.pdf)
From: UE Systems, Inc.Description: Arc flash can be considered a short circuit through the air. It produces tremendous stored-up energy that can travel outward from electrical equipment (see Figure 1). An arc flash produces ...
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Recent Advances in High Voltage, High Energy Capacitor Technology (.pdf)
Description: Capacitors continue to be major components of pulsed power systems, especially as energy storage and pulse discharge devices. On-going research and development at GA-ESI (formerly "Maxwell") in ...
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Ensuring Electrical Safety
From: Seaward Group USADescription: Throughout of the world thousands of people are killed each year by electricity and tens of thousands are injured as a result of receiving an "electrical shock". ...
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Hi Pot Testing in the 21st Century
From: Seaward Group USADescription: The Hi Pot Test, also known as Flash Test, High Voltage or Dielectric Strength, is one of the more controversial electrical safety tests and has provoked much discussion and debate. ...
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Benefits of PLC Control (.pdf)
From: Slaughter CompanyDescription: When performing electrical safety tests on the production line, manufacturers often find themselves between a rock and a hard place: minimizing production costs while maintaining throughput and ...
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Best Methods for Safe Hipot Testing (.pdf)
From: Slaughter CompanyDescription: When working with electrical safety test equipment, instruments that output potentially dangerous voltages and currents, it is always important to regular review and encourage safe testing techniques. ...
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Dielectric Withstand Testing of Modular and Manufactured Homes (.pdf)
From: Slaughter CompanyDescription: The controversy of AC vs. DC Dielectric Withstand testing of modular and manufactured homes has been an issue for years in part due to a misunderstanding of the test itself. Some of the common ...
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Ground Bond or Ground Continuity Testing (.pdf)
From: Slaughter CompanyDescription: Most manufacturers familiar with safety testing are well aware that a verification of the ground circuit on electrical products is necessary for safety agency compliance. In fact, verifying that the ...
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What is ESD? (Electrostatic Discharge)
From: All-Spec IndustriesDescription: ESD, or electrostatic discharge, is the term most often used to describe the sensitivity of modern electronic components to static electrical charges. ...
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Information Related to Eddy Current Inspection of Machined Parts
From: NDT TechnologiesDescription: Eddy current testing was pioneered in the 1800s by David Edward Hughes (1830-1900), an American inventor who discovered that a coil of wire carrying an alternating current was affected by any ...
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Investigation of the Influence of Transducer Electronic Data Sheets (TEDS) on Calibration Results
From: HBMDescription: The international standard IEEE 1451.4 [1] is the basis for transducer electronic data sheets (TEDS), where information related to the transducer like serial number or nominal sensitivity is stored ...
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Controlling Modes of Operation and Third Overtone Circuits
Description: APP. NOTE 7 CONTROLLING MODES OF OPERATION & THIRD OVERTONE CIRCUITS In certain oscillator applications, more than others, it is necessary to control modes of operation. These modes of operation can ...
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Jitter Notes
Description: APP. NOTE 4 S TSU FREQUENCY CONTROL, INC. JITTER NOTES CLOCK JITTER Clock jitter is defined as the deviations in a clock's output transitions from their ideal positions. The deviations can either lead ...
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Adjustable Tool Instructions (.pdf)
Description: The adjustable installation tools are used to install sockets at any set height from flush to the maximum possible for a particular socket. ...
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Calculating Socket Set Heights (.pdf)
Description: Socket set height is a critical factor in the performance and life of a test probe. When set too low, the probe is under-stroked, reducing the contact force and the probe's ability to penetrate ...
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Calculating X Probe Termination Heights (.pdf)
Description: Probe Termination Pin set height is a critical factor in the performance and life of the X Probe. When set too low, the X Probe is under-stroked, reducing the contact force and the X Probe's ability ...
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Common Failure Modes for Test Probes (.pdf)
Description: High electrical resistance between the probe tip and the contact surface is the most common failure mode for probes. ...
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Decreased Stroke Probes (.pdf)
Description: The decreased stroke (-D) option is designed for applications where a longer probe with a higher spring force is required. ...
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Double-Ended Sockets for Wireless Fixturing (.pdf)
Description: Double-Ended Sockets allow construction of fixtures with shorter signal path lengths compared to conventional wire-wrapped designs. The shorter path length allows for improved signal integrity from ...
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Drill Hole Specifications (.pdf)
Description: QA Technology highly recommends that holes initially drilled in fixture plates be verified using pin gauge tools (PG Tools) due to the tolerances of purchased drill bits which can be undersized by as ...
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How Probe Tip Geometry Affects Contact Reliability (.pdf)
Description: Reductions in the use of CFCs for board cleaning have led to increased use of no-clean fluxes. Properly tuned fluxing processes with modern low-solids fluxes result in boards that are readily ...
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Indicator Probes (.pdf)
Description: The Indicator Probe is a special use probe, which shows the amount that standard probes are deflected in a test fixture. The indicator probe's plunger does not return to its original extended position ...
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Installing & Replacing X Probes and Terminations (.pdf)
Description: The X Probe Terminations are installed in the Back plate of the fixture and are used to adjust the set height of the probe while providing the electrical connection from the probe to the fixture ...
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Installing 25-mil Center Probes (.pdf)
Description: Installing .025-inch centers probes is a delicate process. Three areas require special attention: ...
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Long Stroke Probes (.pdf)
Description: QA Technology's .400 [10.16] series long-stroke 40 series probes are designed for use in dual-level (Functional/In-Circuit) test fixtures. The .400 [10.16] series long-stroke probes are easily mixed ...
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Lubricated vs. Unlubricated Probe Performance (.pdf)
Description: QA Technology's standard test probes are lubricated to increase their life. The lubricant drastically reduces the normal wear from the sliding metal-to-metal contact within the probe. ...
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OSP Coated Applications (.pdf)
Description: OSP (Organic Solderability Protectant) coating is increasingly being used due to the advantages they offer the PCB manufacturing process. ...
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Pointing Accuracy
Description: Detailed pointing accuracy studies concentrated mainly on close-center SMD probes. However, as larger probes are increasingly pressed into service for contacting small targets, their accuracy becomes ...
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Probe Maintenance (.pdf)
Description: Test probes used in production testing will eventually get dirty enough to cause contact problems. The following steps will eliminate contact problems caused by dirty probes: ...
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Recommended Drill Hole Size for X Probe Socketless Series (.pdf)
Description: QA Technology highly recommends that holes initially drilled in fixture plates be verified using pin gauge tools (PG-X39, PG-X50 and PG-X75A) due to the tolerances of purchased drill bits which can be ...
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Socket Insertion and Retention Forces (.pdf)
Description: To measure the forces involved when installing and removing sockets from different materials. This information is useful for determining press capacities for socket installation and if its retention ...
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Socket Resistance Comparison (.pdf)
Description: This test measures the electrical resistance on the portion of the socket, which is in the primary current path. The resistance is measured as shown in the sketch. Note that secondary parallel paths ...
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Soldered Connections on Soldered Sockets (.pdf)
Description: Solder connections are normally made on solder cup sockets. But in some cases it is desirable to make solder connections on the tailpin (round or square) of QA's soldered sockets. This can be done ...
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Unset Tool Instructions (.pdf)
Description: QA Technology's UNSET Socket/Termination installation tools (IT{series}-UNSET and IT-X{series}-UNSET) is a partially assembled Installation Tool for Conventional sockets and X Probe Terminations. All ...
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Wire Jack and Crimping Instructions (.pdf)
Description: An air-actuated crimper (CR2830) is available for permanently attaching customer-supplied wire to Wire Jacks. The crimper is a precision tool that requires no maintenance other than occasional ...
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Wire Plug Installation Instructions (.pdf)
Description: Wire Plugs are used to connect 28 or 30 AWG solid conductor, Kynar insulated wire to all QA Technology .050 inch centers termination sockets. Sockets are also available with pre-attached wire and ...
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Wire Wrapping on 50-mil Centers (.pdf)
Description: The 050-SRB255W, 050-STB255W and X50-TW-3G/5G sockets are specifically designed for wire wrapping on .050 [1.27mm] centers. The .250 [6.35mm] long .016 [0.41mm] square post (050-SRB and STB255W) and ...
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Working Temperature Ranges (.pdf)
Description: QA Technology test probes can be used over a wide range of temperatures without affecting their performance. The following discusses some items to consider when using QA test probes at the limits of ...
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X Probe Current Carrying Capacity (.pdf)
Description: This test report presents the data and describes the procedures for testing the current-carrying capacity for QAs X Series test Probes and Terminations. This information is useful for test and design ...
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Comparison of Beryllium Copper and Steel Plungers (.pdf)
Description: The graph compares the electrical performance of 100-25 Series probes with beryllium copper and steel plungers with gold plating. Eight probes from each of the two types were cycle tested together. ...
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Current Carrying Capacity of Test Probes (.pdf)
Description: This test report presents the data and describes the procedures for testing the current-carrying capacity for QA's test probes. This information is useful for test and design engineers when ...
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Frequency Response of Double-Ended Socket and Probe Configuration (.pdf)
Description: Ever-increasing circuit performance challenges all aspects of test technology. Getting a clean and accurate signal from the tester electronics to the board under test is critical for high-speed ...
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Test Probes in Lead-Free Solder PCB Processes (.pdf)
Description: New regulations will require the use of Pb-Free solder for many assemblies by July 1, 2006. This issue has prompted QA Technology to research the impact this will have on the selection of ICT probes. ...
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Exploring the Necessity of the Hot Hipot Test
Description: In an industry comprised of workers with varying electronics knowledge, a Hipot test can seem a daunting task for some. Indeed, many test operators and quality assurance supervisors, having never been ...
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AN111 Current Modules Measure Power Factor
From: Dataforth CorporationDescription: The "power factor" of AC systems or components is the cosine of the angle by which the AC current leads or lags the applied AC excitation voltage. The physics of inductance and capacitance behavior ...
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ANI-003: Maximum Peak Power of Ferrite Junctions
From: Cobham Sensor SystemsDescription: The phenomenon of arcing is a complex mechanism[ 1,2]. It depends on: 1. The breakdown voltage of the dielectric material between the electrodes, 2. The surface geometry of the electrodes, and 3. The ...
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How to Set up a Product Safety Testing Workstation that is Safe for the Operator?
Description: As an industry leader in electrical safety testing instruments, Associated Research is often called upon as a consultant to interpret various product safety standards and advise manufacturers how to ...
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An Explanation of Fail Verification
Description: Fail Verification is a system used to confirm that an electrical safety tester is functioning properly and will detect failures in the Device Under Test (DUT). There may be more familiarity with the ...
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Are Your AC Hipot Leakage Current Measurements Accurate?
Description: The Hipot or Dielectric Withstand test is routinely specified as both a "Type" test and a "Routine Production Line" test on electrical products. This is a voltage test that is designed to stress the ...
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Associated Research's Smart GFI Vs Conventional GFI
Description: Typical electrical circuits in a home contain three wires. One wire is called the "hot" wire. The second wire is called the "neutral" wire. The third is an earth ground wire. The earth ground wire is ...
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Dielectric Withstand Testing in a Production Environment
Description: Performing a routine product safety test should not in itself represent a shock hazard to the operator who is conducting the test, yet anytime you are working with an energized circuit you must be ...
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Enhanced User Interface
Description: New technology in itself doesn't always solve customer problems. The real challenge is to take the latest technology and find ways to use it in specific applications. With over 65 years of safety ...
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Isolation Transformer to Perform Line Leakage or Functional Run Tests
Description: Associated Research strongly recommends the use of an isolation transformer or isolated power source for powering up the Device Under Test (DUT) when performing the Line Leakage or Functional Run ...
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Performing Low Voltage Continuity Tests With High Voltage Hipot Testers
Description: Manufacturers of heating elements, cable harnesses, and aerospace cables must commonly perform point to point continuity tests and hipot tests as part of their routine production line tests. The ...
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Production Line Tests for Medical Product Safety Evaluation
Description: In order to ensure the electrical safety of any medical device, there are several tests that must be performed on each device before it can be shipped. In most cases these tests are required in order ...
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Simulated Line Leakage Tests: Hocus-Pocus?
Description: Line Leakage tests are commonly specified as a part of many product safety standards. This test is most often specified as engineering "type test" but may also be specified "routine production line ...
