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Products - Atlas DCA - Semiconductor Analyser - Model DCA55
Pricing (and terms)
  £49.95 inc VAT (£41.63 + VAT)  
UK shipping is £3 for the whole order. Airmail outside UK charged by total order weight and is calculated at checkout before you confirm your acceptance.
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DCA55 
If you prefer not to order online then don't hesitate to call us on +44 (0)1298 70012 or click here to find your nearest distributor.
If you're outside the UK then our overseas distributors can offer you competitive pricing and much faster delivery
See the Atlas DCA in action here:

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 See the DCA55 on YouTube
Atlas DCA - Semiconductor Component Analyser - Model DCA55
Now with tough premium probes
The Peak Atlas DCA
A fresh approach to component analysis has resulted in the fantastic Peak Atlas DCA, an intelligent, slim and invaluable tool. A world of detailed component data has never been so accessible.

Just connect your component any way round and press the test button. The Atlas DCA will then present you with detailed component information in concise, easy to read, scrollable pages. The displayed information will include: the component type, special component features, component pinout, and measured parameters (such as gain, leakage current, gate threshold voltages, volt drops etc...). No more searching through data books and catalogues in order to identify components and pinouts, the Atlas DCA does it all.
Analysis Portfolio
It doesn't matter how you connect the test clips to the component, the Atlas DCA can analyse a vast number of different component types including bipolar transistors, enhancement mode MOSFETs, depletion mode MOSFETs, Junction FETs (only gate pin identified), low power thyristors and triacs (less than 5mA trigger and hold), diodes, multiple diode networks, LEDs, bi-colour and tri-colour LEDs. It will even identify special component features such as diode protection and shunt resistors in transistors. For two-leaded components such as diodes and LEDs, any pair of test clips can be applied to the component any way round, the Atlas DCA sorts it all out for you.
Atlas DCA testing a BFY51 Atlas DCA testing a bicolour LED Atlas DCA testing a diode
Simplicity
There is no on/off switch, power is automatically turned on at the start of an analysis and then automatically turned off if inactive for more than 30 seconds. Each page of displayed information is presented in manageable amounts, with each page being displayed when you want it. If you want to concentrate on the "pinout" page then just select that page, you don't have to see information that you don't need.

The Atlas DCA Package 
The Peak Atlas DCA is supplied complete with a long life battery, universal test probes and a comprehensive illustrated user guide. Furthermore, free and unlimited technical support and advice is available to all users by telephone, fax, email or our web site.
Parameters Minimum Typical Maximum Notes
 Peak test current into S/C -5.5mA   5.5mA 1
 Peak test voltage across O/C -5.1V   5.1V 1
 Measurable transistor gain range (HFE) 4   65,000 2
 Transistor gain accuracy (for HFE<1000) -3%-5 HFE   +3%+5 HFE 2,9
 Transistor VCEO 2.0V   3.0V 2
 Transistor VBE accuracy -2%-20mV   +2%+20mV 9
 VBE threshold for Darlington identification   0.9V   3
 VBE threshold for Darlington identification (shunted)   0.8V   4
 Acceptable transistor VBE     1.8V  
 Base-emitter shunt resistance threshold   60k    
 Transistor collector-emitter test current 2.45mA 2.50mA 2.55mA  
 Acceptable transistor collector leakage   1.0mA   6
 MOSFET gate threshold range 0.1V   5.0V 5
 MOSFET gate threshold accuracy -2%-20mV   +2%-20mV 5
 MOSFET drain-source test current 2.45mA 2.50mA 2.55mA  
 MOSFET minimum acceptable gate resistance   8k    
 Thyristor/Triac gate test current   4.5mA   7
 Thyristor/Triac load test current   5mA    
 Diode test current     5mA  
 Diode forward voltage accuracy -2%-2mV   +2%+2mV  
 VF threshold for LED   1.50V    
 Short circuit detection threshold   10 ohms    
 Battery type GP23A 12V Alkaline
 Battery voltage range 7.50V 12V    
 Battery voltage warning threshold   8.25V    
 Inactivity power-down period   30 secs    
 Dimensions (excluding test leads) 103 x 70 x 20 mm
 Operating temperature range 0°C   50°C 8
 

 

 Example screenshots for a typical transistor:

Example screenshots
  1. Between any pair of test clips.
  2. Collector current of 2.50mA.
  3. Resistance across reverse biased base-emitter > 60k.
  4. Resistance across reverse biased base-emitter < 60k.
  5. Drain-source current of 2.50mA.
  6. Collector-Emitter voltage of 5V.
  7. Thyristor quadrant 1, Triac quadrants I and III.
  8. Subject to acceptable LCD visibility.
  9. BJT with no shunt resistors.
Customers who bought the Atlas DCA also bought:
   
Carry case for Atlas DCA Atlas LCR Passive Component Analyser - Model LCR40 Atlas ESR Electrolytic Capacitor Analyser - Model ESR60 GP23A/MN21 12V Battery
Custom padded carry case Atlas LCR Atlas ESR Spare 12V Battery
Atlas DCA - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  Is the DCA ok with germanium transistors, can it measure leakage current and does it take into account the leakage current for it's gain measurement? Yes. The DCA will detect the germanium (or silicon) type of semiconductor. It will measure leakage current and it takes that leakage into account when measuring gain (unlike most multimeter HFE measurements).  
I've noticed the leakage current of my germanium transistor gradually drop with each subsequent measurement. Is my DCA battery failing or something else wrong? Leakage current is extremely temperature dependent and particularly noticeable for germaniums as the current is fairly high to start with. The leakage current can double for just a 5°C increase in temperature. So after some handling, the transistor temperature slowly falls and can lead to a decreasing leakage current. That's completely normal and correct. Additionally, DCA55 test currents are completely independent of battery condition.
The Collector and Emitter of my germanium transistor is showing the wrong way round, is the DCA55 wrong? If the leakage current of the germanium transistor is quite high (due to warming from your fingers for example), the DCA55 can reject the "correct" pinout. However, it will then search for all other device types and configurations. It can, in those circumstances, find a transistor of opposite type (NPN/PNP) and with the C-E swapped (although gain can be very low). Tests in a simple circuit confirm that you can get a germanium transistor to work, with some gain, in that way. So the DCA55 is not wrong, it's just found a configuration that yields a low leakage current. Try keeping your transistor cool during testing to avoid this situation.
Can the Atlas DCA measure Zener diodes? Perhaps low voltage ones? No, the DCA doesn't currently support Zener diodes. Low voltage (<5V) zener diodes can lead to confusing results although the displayed forward voltage may represent the Zener voltage which can be useful. Higher voltage Zeners (>5V) will be shown as a regular diode and the forward voltage will be the voltage of the pn junction not the zener voltage).
Can I use the DCA to match transistors? Yes. The main parameters that you may be interested in are HFE and VBE. Both of these parameters are measured by the DCA. This enables you to group your transistors that have similar gain figures for example.
What will the DCA show if my component is faulty? Generally, the DCA would show "Faulty or unknown component". Sometimes it may still be able to see a pn (diode) junction within the component you're testing, in which case it would display "Diode or diode junction(s)". If there is a short circuit within your component then the DCA will display "Short circuit on RED GREEN" for example.
Can my Atlas DCA be upgraded online? The only way to upgrade the firmware is to send your unit to us. It's a very low cost process. Click here to see how to order an upgrade. We can upgrade even the oldest units.
What is the latest version of the Atlas DCA? The latest firmware version is 2.8 and 2.93. Both are current versions (different numbers for two PCB manufacturing streams). Version 2.8 added "digital transistor" support.
Why can't the DCA analyse triacs or thyristors that need higher currents than 5mA? The test currents of the Atlas DCA are deliberately kept below 5mA to avoid damage to any potentially random component that can be connected any way round. The Peak Atlas SCR is aimed specifically at analysing a wide range of triacs and thyristors that require test currents from less than 100uA up to 100mA.
How long is the warranty period? All our products now have a warranty of 24 months. This doesn't cover accidental damage or abuse however.
   
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