How to build Beeper to find short circuits



Circuit diagram

This circuit uses two 741s or equivalent op amp to form a beeper that is used to detect short circuits. This design offers a way to trace resistance in the milliohm range, right to a short between bridged traces beneath a solder mask. A1 is configured as a multivibrator. R1 and C1 determine the frequency of oscillation and Q1 and Q2 boost the output. Assuming a virtual ground at the output of A2, free-run frequency is about 1kHz. Q1 and Q2 deliver a +/-10v squarewave to R4, dumping a +/-100mA through a short circuit placed across the probe tips. R5 ensures that the open circuit voltage never exceeds +/-0.1v. A2 monitors the voltage between the probes. When the probes are open, A2's gain equals the R4/R5 divider loss, and the output of both amplifiers is identical. This has two effects: First, hysteresis is greatly increased and frequency falls to a low growl, and secondly, the loudspeaker that bridges the two in-phase outputs is effectively silenced. A dead short across the probe tips will return nothing to A2 and the circuit will squeal at its nominal 1kHz rate. Anything less than a perfect short produces some output from A2, increasing multivibrator hysteresis and lowering the pitch.


Author: "Electronics Design" Magazine, Mar, 20, 95
Email:
Website: http://www.electronics-lab.com

Similar diagrams


Important!!!
We are not responsible for any injuries or damage caused by information from this website! Working with electricity is dangerous for your life, especially diagrams related to high voltage! We do not guarantee success in building devices using our diagrams! They are not tested by us. For questions about diagrams use author info below diagram or our contact page. Thank you!