Re: Finding an open on pcb


Uriah wrote:
Thanks but I think I didn't state my problem clearly enough.

What I need to do is follow node or pin on a chip around a large pcb.
and find out where it ends and if there is an open. The problem is
that
the traces are so small and they go from top to bottom it takes a long
time to track down one trace. I need to track down a hundred of these.
The short locator has a AC probe that pulses when you are on the
trace and when you go the wrong way it shows you that you are off
track. Is there anything like that for an open?

Thanks
Russ

Hi, Russ. Sorry, but the device you're looking for doesn't exist.

An ohmmeter with an audible diode/continuity check works well if you're
the board manufacturer. Just use the CAD software to do a node
printout, and this will tell you (if it's not a power/GND node) most of
what you need to know. Just go from point to point with the artwork in
hand (or on screen) and find it.

If this is a home brew etched board, do the reverse. Get your node
list and confirm continuity on all the nodes. If a vendor sold you a
board like this, dump the vendor.

In nearly all cases, repair work (if the board was shipped and was
working) assumes there is no broken trace, unless the repair tech did
it while removing the board and trying to fix it. In which case, he's
got a problem.

Cheers
Chris

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