The Gootee Curve Tracer Homepage

(NEW VERSION NOW SHIPPING!)

Actual Unsolicited Testimonials from Our Customers:

"I think you have a great product, and though we have top-of-the-line Huntrons in our instrument lab here at work, I would put your curve tracer up against them anyday."

"The kit just arrived. A very impressive job indeed. Makes me wish you would offer other kits. Can't find this kind of quality in kits these days."

"Continue to be impressed. The components that you supply are obviously first class and the cabinet is extremely nice. No corners were cut anywhere in this design, leaving a first class impression all the way ..."

"I LOVE the curve tracer! I use it all the time. The displays it produces are extremely sharp and clean, with no noise or jitter at all."

"Your curve tracer does SO MUCH MORE than units like the Huntron Tracker, which cost so much more. I've never seen anything else like it. It's really great!"

2N3906 PNP BJT	Unknown SCR	2N3819 FET: Id vs Vds	Unknown Transistor
Stairstep, positive	Stairstep, negative	Sawtooth Sweep	Triangle Sweep
Integrated Sine	Square Wave	100 uF, Triangle 30 Hz	100 uF, Sawtooth 30 Hz
Transformer 120v Primary	Transformer 12.6v Secondary	CdS Photocell, in light	CdS Photocell, in shadow
Pulse Output	Short Circuit!	Open Circuit!	Unknown BJTransistor
6.2v Zener Diode	1N914 Diode	1N4002 Diode	1N34A Germanium Diode
TIP31A BJT: Ic vs Vce	0.1 uF, Triangle sweep	0.1 uF, Sawtooth sweep	100 uH Choke Coil

In the last two pictures above, notice how the constant slope of the sawtooth's ramp-up translates into a constant dV/dt, and thus a constant I for the capacitor (i = C x dV/dt), and a constant dI/dt, thus a constant V for the inductor (V=L x dI/dt)! ("Well yeah, it's obvious. But it's nice to actually SEE it.")

Resting your mouse pointer on the images above will display settings' details.

PLEASE NOTE that the actual displays appear much clearer than in the pictures above.

The above pictures were taken of an oscilloscope connected to a

Gootee Curve Tracer:

NOTE:

(REPLACED WITH NEW VERSION, NOW AVAILABLE! - PHOTOS & SPECS COMING SOON.)

*** SOME OF THE NEW VERSION'S CHANGES: *** (Updated 18JUN07:)

- Now has: CALIBRATED BASE/GATE STEPS OUTPUT, with selectable current steps or voltage steps. Has twelve selectable step-size ranges (in a 1-2-5 type of sequence; with cycling 16-steps output for every range), from 200 uV or 0.002 mA per step, up to 1 V or 10 mA per step. Maximum step output is 15v or 150 mA.

- Now has: True sinusoid output, when Sine sweep is selected, with total harmonic distortion less than 0.1% (and usually MUCH less. More-detailed specs coming soon.)

- Now has: "Blanking Pulse" (BNC) output on rear panel (about 8 volts during negative-slope portions of sweep), suitable for the attached oscilloscope's "External Z-Axis Input", to turn off the CRT beam's intensity during "retrace".

- Now has: better linearity, accuracy, precision, temperature compensation, drift compensation, and much more.

- Now runs on AC LINE power, with internal switch to select line voltage, for worldwide compatibility.

- Now even easier to assemble, calibrate, and maintain.

- Now includes (if kit version) even-more-detailed assembly instructions and diagrams.

- More details coming soon.

- NOW SHIPPING!

(Photo is of older version. Photos of NEW version coming soon!)

The Gootee Curve Tracer:

Advanced Transistor Curve Tracer and Electronic Component and Device Tester

Also includes built-in Triple-Output Power Supply and Signal Generator!

Display transistor I-V curve families, for multiple (up to 16) base or gate currents, simultaneously, on your existing oscilloscope.

Easily spot bad components just by glancing at their "signature". Troubleshoot more quickly. Test components, IN-CIRCUIT or out.

MATCH transistors, or other devices, to select "matched pairs".

Display on your oscilloscope: current vs. voltage curves ("signatures") for diodes, capacitors, resistors, inductors, plus test points in cicuits, etc.

Compare signatures of circuit points in units being repaired to those in known-good units.

Characterize and measure components' parameters. Identify unknown components and "black boxes".

Features:

(NEW VERSION NOW AVAILABLE - SPECS COMING SOON.)

Selectable Current and Voltage to plot on the scope display: ANY of the three device currents versus ANY of the three device voltages. For example, for a bipolar junction transistor, you could display any one of Ic, Ib, or Ie, versus any one of Vce, Vbe, or Vcb.

Selectable Device/Display Polarities: Allows flipping curves vertically and/or horizontally at any time. So, for the BJT example, you can actually display any of the currents Ic, -Ic, Ib, -Ib, Ie, or -Ie versus any of the voltages Vce, Vec, Vbe, Veb, Vcb, or Vbc.

Selectable Sweep Signal for device under test: Sawtooth, Triangle, or Sine (NEW VERSION'S Sine has very low THD!).

Selectable Voltage of sweep signal: From 1 to 30 volts peak-to-peak, in six steps: +-0.5, +-3, +-6, +-9, +-12, and +-15 volts.

Selectable Frequency of sweep signal: From 60 Hz to 22 kHz, in six steps: 60 Hz, 200 Hz, 750 Hz, 4.5 kHz, 12 kHz, and 22 kHz [Frequencies are user-changeable, by changing the values of capacitors.]

Calibrated Staircase Waveform (e.g. transistor's base or gate drive signal) with selectable current steps or voltage steps. Has twelve selectable step-size ranges (in a 1-2-5 type of sequence; with cycling 16-steps output for every range), from 200 uV or 0.002 mA per step, up to 1 V or 10 mA per step. Maximum step output is 15v / 150 mA.

Device Under Test's Current-Limiting resistance value is selectable, with values of 10, 50, 100, 500, 1K, 5k, 10k, 50k, 100k, 500k, 1Meg, and 5Meg ohms available, giving maximum peak device currents of from +/-1.5 amps down to +/-0.1 microamps.

Maximum device test current limited to 1.5 amps, using "+/-15v" sweep and "10 ohms" current-limiter settings. [Higher peak currents are available, by changing the value(s) of internal current-limiting resistor(s).]

High-Quality Components: Includes very-high-quality Op Amps, such as Analog Devices OP275GP. Also includes two LM394 supermatched NPN pairs, REF102BP voltage reference, Caddock MK 1% power resistors, gold-plated Molex connectors, and many other high-end components. And, where it counts, high-quality LOW ESR ("Equivalent Series Resistance") electrolytic capacitors and metallized polypropylene capacitors have been used.

External Power Requirements: 115 VAC/3Amps or 230 VAC/1.5 Amps (selectable), 50 to 60 Hz.

Includes a set of two multimeter-style probes with banana plugs, AND a set of three banana-plug-to-alligator-clip leads.

Includes complete, detailed assembly diagrams.

Includes complete set of detailed board and component-layout diagrams and complete set of detailed wiring diagrams.

Includes complete set of detailed, step-by-step assembly instructions (with Kit version).

Includes complete set of circuit schematics, plus overall block diagram.

Includes complete Adjustment and Alignment procedures.

Includes certain internal test-points' DC voltages, resistances, and waveforms.

Includes complete parts list (many parts have list of suppliers, part numbers, and pricing).

Parts lists now include circuit-board grid-location data for every component.

Now also includes a CD with PDF datasheets for many of the components and parts.

PLUS:

You can ALSO use the Curve Tracer as an Audio Signal Generator and as a Triple Output Power Supply, simultaneously.

Use as a Signal Generator:

External connectors provide sine, sawtooth ramp, triangle ramp, sync pulse/square wave, AND STAIRCASE outputs. Has synchronized simultaneous sawtooth/triangle/sine, pulse, and staircase test-signal outputs. i.e. A sawtooth ramp (or triangle or sine) sweep occurs during the level part of each stairstep, and a pulse occurs during the dropoff at the end of the ramp-up, synchronized with the change to the next stairstep. Additionally, a switch changes the sawtooth and pulse into a triangle and a square wave (at the same frequency), and another switch optionally activates a circuit that produces a sine wave (with very low THD) instead of the triangle wave. Sawtooth, triangle, and sine outputs are also COMPENSATED to very accurately provide EACH selected calibrated peak-to-peak voltage output, at EACH frequency setting.

Use as a Triple-Output Power Supply:

POWER SUPPLY OUTPUTS (banana jacks on rear panel) include: Outputs of +17.5 vdc and -17.5 vdc, at up to 1.5 amps DC each, and one output of +5 VDC/40mA. And the power supply has EXTREMELY LOW noise+ripple: measured at less than 300 MICROVOLTS peak-to-peak!! (Measured under load, with 17.5 VDC into 20 Ohms.)

Dimensions: Approximately 10"W x 3"H x 7.5"D (inches) (25W x 8H x 19D cm).

Shipping Weight: Approximately 12 lbs (5.5 kg), with a box size of 12x12x6 inches (30x30x15 cm).

Questions? Email to tomg@fullnet.com

The "Build-It-Yourself" Kit version ALSO includes: The set of three etched, drilled, and silkscreened printed circuit boards, the front and rear instrument panels' ready-to-apply artwork and hole/drill templates (with the front and rear panels and instrument case), fabrication instructions for the instrument panels, plus complete, detailed step-by-step assembly instructions and diagrams, and, of course, ALL needed components and hardware, etc, PLUS 10 different-colored rolls of wire and a roll of .032" solder. You would also need the use of a set of drill bits and a 1.5" holesaw bit (for the holes in the front and rear panels), and the use of a drill press, plus common hand tools.

Gootee Curve Tracer PRICES:

Fully-Assembled and Tested units include One-Year Parts and Labor Warranty.

Shipping and Handling Fees:

For the KIT or ASSEMBLED version: Add $15.00 per unit for shipping & handling for delivery to the continental USA. For shipping to other locations (outside the USA/48), please inquire before ordering the KIT or assembled version, for shipping and handling costs (email tomg@fullnet.com).

LEGAL NOTICE: When ordering or buying the Gootee Curve Tracer Kit, which includes the copyrighted Gootee Curve Tracer Plans, YOU MUST AGREE to not sell, nor give away, nor reproduce, in any manner, any part of the PLANS or included documentation. And you must agree to order another Gootee Curve Tracer Kit, from Gootee, for EACH curve tracer unit that is built, for whatever is the then-current price of the Gootee Curve Tracer Kit. Just by ORDERING or buying the Gootee Curve Tracer Kit, you DO agree to this, even if you do not state it in writing.

TO ORDER:

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

We accept payments with all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, et al), but only through the *secure* Paypal website, at https://www.paypal.com , payable to tomg@fullnet.com . Paypal now services most international buyers, too. If you want to sign up for Paypal (it's free, and quick and easy, and safe and secure), please use the link below:

For making credit card or instant-bank-transfer payments through Paypal, the Paypal payee-name is: tomg@fullnet.com .

We also accept payment by postal money order, cashier's check, and personal or company check (checks MAY delay shipping until cleared, but usually won't, especially company checks). (International buyers: Please inquire about acceptable payment methods and shipping costs, before ordering. ALSO: We will need your shipping address, or at least your postal code and country name, to be able to provide you with shipping options and their costs.)

We also accept Western Union electronic money transfers. Go to http://www.westernunion.com , to find the location of a merchant, near you, who also serves as a Western Union agent (and possibly options for ordering a money-transfer with a credit card, by phone, or online). [Western Union agents are almost "everywhere", all over the world. There are even three of them within two miles of us.] We would then only need to know the first name and the last name of the person who sent the money, and the amount that was sent.

For MAILED payments, payee/address info is:

Thomas  P.  Gootee
1795  Schuetter  Rd.
Jasper,   IN   47546
USA

Please make checks, etc, payable to: "Thomas P. Gootee" .

U.S. Company/Institutional: PURCHASE ORDERS are always welcome. Please inquire first, by email, to Tom, at tomg@fullnet.com .

You will be emailed, with the tracking number if applicable, after your order has been shipped. Delivery time may vary. If all parts are in stock, shipment should be within two to ten days. If one or more parts are out of stock (we try not to let that happen) or backordered, shipment could be delayed.

Actual Unsolicited Testimonials from Our Customers:

"The kit just arrived. A very impressive job indeed. Makes me wish you would offer other kits. Can't find this kind of quality in kits these days."

"Continue to be impressed. The components that you supply are obviously first class and the cabinet is extremely nice. No corners were cut anywhere in this design, leaving a first class impression all the way ..."

"I LOVE the curve tracer! I use it all the time. The displays it produces are extremely sharp and clean, with no noise or jitter at all."

"Your curve tracer does SO MUCH MORE than units like the Huntron Tracker, which cost so much more. I've never seen anything else like it. It's really great!"

Questions? Email to tomg@fullnet.com

Link to my Used Test Equipment and New Electronic Components

Link to Gootee Homepage Index

Link to my EASY PCB Fabrication page

Link to my Decade Resistor Box: Complete On-Line Plans

All prices and specifications are subject to change.

(C) Copyright 2006 by Thomas P. Gootee

Click to hear: Three-Part Invention No. 12 in A major; by Bach, Johann Sebastian (1685-1750, Germany)

This web page is at: http://www.fullnet.com/u/tomg/gooteect.htm

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