How to rule out bad transistor?

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Matt1982
Posts: 97
Joined: Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:54 pm

How to rule out bad transistor?

Post by Matt1982 »

I'm going mad. I can't figure out whether I have a solder bridge making a connection between two leads of a transistor or the transistor was fried. Right now there is continuity between two of the leads.

Does anyone have any ideas how to remedy this short of desoldering it out?
rayra
Posts: 269
Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2003 3:40 am
Location: Los Angeles

Post by rayra »

you have to put a known voltage to it and measure the output at the other end. But if it's shorted at the mounting that won't work.
If it's burned out but shorted on the board, you'd still get the continuity.

I really don't see a ready way to tell, short of dismounting it. And if you're going to that trouble you might as well just solder a new one in and be done. It's possible to kill them during the install by applying too much heat. Is that a possibility?
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