Test & Measurement Education

This session provides a Quick introduction to Electrical Power Systems, Electrical Fundamentals, the need for Protection in Power Systems and Challenges for Protection. 

This video highlights one of TI’s new low EMI, wide Vin DC/DC converters the LM53635-Q1. It  focuses on the spread-spectrum capability, Hot-Rod packaging, and symmetrical pinout of the LM53635, which are all key contributors to eliminating EMI in this DAQ system.

Programming a circuit simulation with SPICE is much like programming in any other computer language: you must type the commands as text in a file, save that file to the computer’s hard drive, and then process the contents of that file with a program (compiler or interpreter) that understands such commands. In an interpreted computer language, the computer holds a special program called an interpreter that translates the program

Bipolar transistors are constructed of a three-layer semiconductor “sandwich” either PNP or NPN. As such, transistors register as two diodes connected back-to-back when tested with a multimeter’s “resistance” or “diode check” function as illustrated in Figure below. Low resistance readings on the base with the black negative (-) leads correspond to an N-type material in the base of a PNP transistor. On the symbol, the N-type material is “pointed”

An important electrical quantity with no equivalent in DC circuits is frequency. Frequency measurement is very important in many applications of alternating current, especially in AC power systems designed to run efficiently at one frequency and one frequency only. If the AC is being generated by an electromechanical alternator, the frequency will be directly proportional to the shaft speed of the machine, and frequency could be measured simply by measuring

So far, we’ve studied both S-R and D latch circuits with enable inputs. The latch responds to the data inputs (S-R or D) only when the enable input is activated. In many digital applications, however, it is desirable to limit the responsiveness of a latch circuit to a very short period of time instead of the entire duration that the enabling input is activated. One method of enabling a

As was mentioned before, the angle of this “power triangle” graphically indicates the ratio between the amount of dissipated (or consumed) power and the amount of absorbed/returned power. It also happens to be the same angle as that of the circuit’s impedance in polar form. When expressed as a fraction, this ratio between true power and apparent power is called the power factor for this circuit. Because true

What would happen to this meter movement, if connected directly to a 6-volt battery?

Most ohmmeters of the design shown in the previous section utilize a battery of relatively low voltage, usually nine volts or less. This is perfectly adequate for measuring resistances under several mega-ohms (MΩ), but when extremely high resistances need to be measured, a 9 volt battery is insufficient for generating enough current to actuate an electromechanical meter movement. Also, as discussed in an earlier chapter, resistance is not always a stable

Ammeters Measure Electrical Current A meter designed to measure electrical current is popularly called an “ammeter” because the unit of measurement is “amps.” In ammeter designs, external resistors added to extend the usable range of the movement are connected in parallel with the movement rather than in series as is the case for voltmeters. This is because we want to divide the measured current, not the measured voltage, going to

Okay, we're in Section 2.4. We're going to be introducing Magnetism and Electromagnetism in this particular section. Magnetic and electromagnetic fields play important roles and are fundamental to electronic and electromechanical systems. Motors, generators, speakers, microphones, computer storage devices like hard drives and many other devise are based upon magnetic, electromagnetic principles. Okay, magnetic fields. Here we have a picture of one. Surrounding all magnetic objects is an invisible but measurable

AC electromechanical meter movements come in two basic arrangements: those based on DC movement designs, and those engineered specifically for AC use. Permanent-magnet moving coil (PMMC) meter movements will not work correctly if directly connected to alternating current, because the direction of needle movement will change with each half-cycle of the AC. (Figure below) Permanent-magnet meter movements, like permanent-magnet motors, are devices whose motion depends on the polarity of the

Explain how an ohmmeter is able to measure the resistance of a component (in this case, a light bulb) when there is no battery or other source of power connected to it: Also, identify the reading you would expect the ohmmeter to indicate if the light bulb were burnt out (failed “open”).

How is it possible to assign a fixed value of voltage or current (such as “120 volts”) to an AC electrical quantity that is constantly changing, crossing 0 volts, and reversing polarity?

Parts and Materials 6-volt battery 6-volt incandescent lamp Jumper wires Breadboard Terminal strip From this experiment on, a multimeter is assumed to be necessary and will not be included in the required list of parts and materials. In all subsequent illustrations, a digital multimeter will be shown instead of an analog meter unless there is some particular reason to use an analog meter. You are encouraged to use both types

In order to build the circuits described in this volume, you will need a small work area, as well as a few tools and critical supplies. This section describes the setup of a home electronics laboratory. Work area A work area should consist of a large workbench, desk, or table (preferably wooden) for performing circuit assembly, with household electrical power (120 volts AC) readily accessible to power soldering equipment, power supplies,

A meter is any device built to accurately detect and display an electrical quantity in a form readable by a human being. Usually this “readable form” is visual: motion of a pointer on a scale, a series of lights arranged to form a “bargraph,” or some sort of display composed of numerical figures. In the analysis and testing of circuits, there are meters designed to accurately measure the basic quantities

Volume I chapter 1.1 discusses static electricity, and how it is created. This has a lot more significance than might be first assumed, as control of static electricity plays a large part in modern electronics and other professions. An ElectroStatic Discharge event is when a static charge is bled off in an uncontrolled fashion and will be referred to as ESD hereafter. ESD comes in many forms, it can be as

PARTS AND MATERIALS Sensitive meter movement (Radio Shack catalog # 22-410) Selector switch, single-pole, multi-throw, break-before-make (Radio Shack catalog # 275-1386 is a 2-pole, 6-position unit that works well) Multi-turn potentiometers, PCB mount (Radio Shack catalog # 271-342 and 271-343 are 15-turn, 1 kΩ and 10 kΩ “trimmer” units, respectively) Assorted resistors, preferably high-precision metal film or wire-wound types (Radio Shack catalog # 271-309 is an assortment of metal-film resistors, +/- 1% tolerance) Plastic or metal mounting

Though mechanical ohmmeter (resistance meter) designs are rarely used today, having largely been superseded by digital instruments, their operation is nonetheless intriguing and worthy of study. The purpose of an ohmmeter, of course, is to measure the resistance placed between its leads. This resistance reading is indicated through a mechanical meter movement which operates on electric current. The ohmmeter must then have an internal source of voltage to create the

PARTS AND MATERIALS Calculator (or pencil and paper for doing arithmetic) 6-volt battery Assortment of resistors between 1 KΩ and 100 kΩ in value I’m purposely restricting the resistance values between 1 kΩ and 100 kΩ for the sake of obtaining accurate voltage and current readings with your meter. With very low resistance values, the internal resistance of the ammeter has a significant impact on measurement accuracy. Very high resistance values can cause

Every meter impacts the circuit it is measuring to some extent, just as any tire-pressure gauge changes the measured tire pressure slightly as some air is let out to operate the gauge. While some impact is inevitable, it can be minimized through good meter design. Voltage Divider Circuit Since voltmeters are always connected in parallel with the component or components under test, any current through the voltmeter will contribute to