Noob Question

[LettucePrey]

Is there a way to check a component to see if it is still functioning before you put it on a board? Would a multimeter give you an idea of the components status?

[IvIark]

You can get a multimeter that will measure capacitance, resistance, and also check gain of resistors and test diodes.  The only think you can't really check easily is an IC, which is a good enough reason to always use sockets.

I have a Unitrend UT60E which will do everything except the transistors (I have a separate tester for them) but I'm sure they'll do a model with transistor sockets too.  Have a quick check on eBay, but this one seems to do them all

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320920478527

[dodido]

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[LettucePrey]

Ok great Thanks. I just picked this one up yesterday as it was fairly cheap and I just wanted to try it out...It should do what I'm needing i suppose?

[IvIark]

It doesn't look like it will do everything you want, it doesn't measure capacitance, transistors or diodes by the look of it.

Sometimes you really need to pay a little more to get all the features you want.

[JaviCAP]

If you don't want to spend much money, you can try this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BEST-DT9205A-Handheld-3-1-2-LCD-AC-DC-Volt-Amp-Ohm-Digital-Multimeter-Electrical-/140794722560?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item20c804f900

I purchased it in order not to put on risk my most expensive multimeters, and finally is the one is use the most: cheap, reiliable and if it gets broken, you can buy a new one for a bargain.

Is cheap, but works really fine.

BR