Circuit Troubleshooting For Dummies
Once upon a time, I wrote down some troubleshooting steps for circuit builds in my EE labs. After some frustration I’d had with circuits that didn’t work, Teaching Assistants who refused to offer firm troubleshooting suggestions, etc., I compiled this list of things to try when I was too frustrated to think anymore.
In light of the previous discussion about Troubleshooting Methodologies, I offer these suggestions to other EE students — or anyone messing around with circuits for projects or entertainment. These are really simple steps, but sometimes the simple solution goes out the door when it’s one hour before your project is due and the blinkenlights just ain’t blinkin’. Hope they help you the way they’ve helped me.
1. Verify component placement. Where’s Pin 1 on your component? Are all the pins in the breadboard? Are all the pins *good* - no broken or bent pins that don’t make a firm connection? Are your transistors placed correctly? Are your diodes in the right direction?
2. Verify connections. Use the shortest possible wire for neater circuits. Are all your wires connected at both ends? Verify that all connections are wired from point A to point B correctly, and are in the right places. Check each wire twice against your schematic or your notes to make sure it’s in the correct position.
3. Verify loops. Is everything closed? Are your lines to GND and your power placed correctly? How about your lines to your input signal and meters and scopes and analyzers?
4. Check your cables. Your scope probes need to connect to GND as well. Check every cable twice.
If your circuit still isn’t working after these steps and troubleshooting takes longer than 15 minutes, NAG YOUR T.A.! That’s what they’re there for, and if they don’t seem helpful at first, nag them until you get some sort of resolution. They’re grad students, so they can take it!
Did I miss anything? Drop me an email or leave a comment and I’ll modify this post for future reference.
Related posts:
- Circuit Troubleshooting Resources
- Building A Troubleshooting Methodology
- Elenco/Amerikit Motion Detector Build Complete
- LadyAda & Phillip Torrone Debut “Citizen Engineer”
- A Method For Solving Math Proofs & Troubleshooting Computers
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