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Versatile Probe

Raju R. Baddi
edi

ou can use this versatile probe

for continuity testing and identification of transistor type and
transformer windings. The n-side or
p-side of a transistor can be identified
quickly in one go. You can make two
contacts with the probe in one hand

Fig. 1: Circuit of versatile probe

s.c. dwiv

while the other hand is

free.
Fig. 1 shows the circuit
of the probe. The operation
of the circuit is simple.
It is driven by an alternating current flowing through two LEDs
(LED1 and LED2). So
one LED corresponds
to forward direction of
current flow, while the
other shows reverse direction of current flow.
This helps to detect orientation of the p-n junction with respect to the
probes. The LEDs can
be arranged near the
probes to glow either for
the p-side or the n-side
as per your choice.
The frequency is determined by capacitor
C1 and preset VR1 connected between gates G1

Fig. 2: Constructional detail of versatile probe

Testing Results for Different Components

Component

Probe D

Probe C

Red LED

Green LED

1st terminal
1st terminal

2nd terminal
2nd terminal

Off
On

On
Off

Transistors
Any type pnp or npn

C
E

E
C

X
X

X
X

npn-type transistor

B
B

E
C

On
On

Off
Off

p-n junction
p-n junction
Result: p is common, so npn transistor

pnp-type transistor

B
B

E
C

Off
Off

On
On

n-p junction
n-p junction
Result: n is common, so pnp transistor

Primary terminal 1

Primary terminal 2

Glow with
low intensity

Glow with
low intensity

Both LEDs glowing with low intensity

Result: Primary side

Glow with
high intensity

Glow with
high intensity

Both LEDs glowing with high intensity

Result: Secondary side

On

Off

Diode

Step-down transformer



Continuity

Secondary terminal 1 Secondary terminal 2

Connect with
LEDs probe

1 0 6 F e b r ua ry 2 0 1 0 e l e c t ro n i c s f o r yo u

Result
Probe D side is anode (p) and probe C
side is cathode (n)
Probe D side is n and probe C side is p
Unused pin is base
Unused pin is base

Indicates shorting

w w w. e f y m ag . co m

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and G2. The frequency can be varied

using preset VR1. Higher frequency
results in more sensitivity to inductive
reactance. The preset is trimmed so that
when the probes are shorted, both the
LEDs glow equally.
Fig. 2 shows the probe arrangement
for testing. Most of the battery power is
consumed only when the LEDs glow.
The probes have been constructed to
provide a good grip on the components

w w w. e f y m ag . co m

under testing. One probes tip has been

widened. (Drop the empty refill of a
ball-pen from some height to remove
the ball, then insert a sharp needle or
something similar into the tip. Slowly
push the needle inside and widen the
tip so that a component lead can be
inserted into it during testing.) Slightly
unequal probe lengths help to make
easy contacts.
Assemble the circuit on a general-

purpose PCB which is as compact as

possible and put it inside a glue stick
tube (whose inner mechanism has been
removed) at its centre. The metallic
disk and metallic strips can be cut out
from any tin container. For the probes,
use the spring mechanism of gel ball
pens. Probes C and D are the points
representing the probe terminals.
Two button cells (CR2032) are used to
power the probe circuit.

e l e c t ro n i c s f o r yo u F e b r ua ry 2 0 1 0 1 0 7

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Get this
project done!
Get the Document + PPT + KIT
Are you interested in doing this project either as
your college (mini / major) project or as your
hobby? We can help you out. We can provide you
with all the documents including documentation,
PPT, etc that you need as a student to present
this project at your college.
Also, if you are in need of the hardware kit for
this project, we can provide it to you at a cheaper
cost and in little time.
Contact: http://deekshith.in/p/contact.html
Email: dkh.hyd@gmail.com
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Phone: +919441921293 (Local to Hyderabad, India)

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