WhatSMD: identify an unknown SMD component

Not sure which one you have?

Answer up to 4 quick questions and these 15 parts are ranked, with a meter test that settles it. It works on a dead part too.

The only part printed 88 in this package in our tables

BBY58-02L

What it is: Not recorded
Maker: Infineon
Package: Not recorded
Pins: Not recorded
Source: From the manufacturer's datasheet

Is it dead?

Diode range and ohms range, part lifted.

Working, it reads

Depends on what it is. The datasheet, or an identical part, says.

Dead, it reads

Between two pins, the same reading both ways, near 0 V with a continuous beep: shorted.
Open between every pair of pins: failed open, or a part that reads open when working.

On the board:: On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
Compare:: If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.

A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.

Datasheet

Printed with a code easy to misread

These parts are printed with a character that is easy to misread as what you typed. The odd one out is marked on each.

BZX384B4V3printed B8SOD-323Zener diode, 2 pins, VishayZener diode2 pinsVishay
Printed B8 on the part. Easy to misread as 88. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
What it is
Zener diode
Maker
Vishay
Package
SOD-323
Pins
2
Details
4.3 V Zener diode
Source
From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Diode range for the forward check, part lifted, red probe on the anode. A bench supply for the Zener voltage.
Working, it reads
About 0.6 to 0.8 V forward and open in reverse on the diode range. Its Zener voltage shows only on a supply: feed it through a resistor that sets about 5 mA, cathode to positive, read quickly, and it should hold near its rated voltage.
Dead, it reads
The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
Open both ways, forward too: failed open.
Holds well off its rated voltage on the supply test: drifted.
A soft knee, or a voltage that creeps on the supply test: leaky.
On the board:
On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
Compare:
If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
Watch for:
A meter's diode range stops at about 2 to 3 V, so almost every Zener reads open in reverse on it, good or bad; a 3 V meter may just show a 2.4 or 2.7 V part. Above about 3 V the meter cannot tell a Zener from a plain diode.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
Datasheetfor BZX384B4V3, opens in a new tab
BZX384B62printed 8BSOD-323Zener diode, 2 pins, VishayZener diode2 pinsVishay
Printed 8B on the part. Easy to misread as 88. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
What it is
Zener diode
Maker
Vishay
Package
SOD-323
Pins
2
Details
62 V Zener diode
Source
From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Diode range for the forward check, part lifted, red probe on the anode. A bench supply for the Zener voltage.
Working, it reads
About 0.6 to 0.8 V forward and open in reverse on the diode range. Its Zener voltage shows only on a supply: feed it through a resistor that sets about 5 mA, cathode to positive, read quickly, and it should hold near its rated voltage.
Dead, it reads
The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
Open both ways, forward too: failed open.
Holds well off its rated voltage on the supply test: drifted.
A soft knee, or a voltage that creeps on the supply test: leaky.
On the board:
On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
Compare:
If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
Watch for:
A meter's diode range stops at about 2 to 3 V, so almost every Zener reads open in reverse on it, good or bad; a 3 V meter may just show a 2.4 or 2.7 V part. Above about 3 V the meter cannot tell a Zener from a plain diode.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
Datasheetfor BZX384B62, opens in a new tab
MM3Z10Bprinted 8BSOD-323Zener diode, 2 pins, DiotecZener diode2 pinsDiotec
Printed 8B on the part. Easy to misread as 88. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
What it is
Zener diode
Maker
Diotec
Package
SOD-323
Pins
2
Details
SMD Planar Zener Diodes
Source
From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Diode range for the forward check, part lifted, red probe on the anode. A bench supply for the Zener voltage.
Working, it reads
About 0.6 to 0.8 V forward and open in reverse on the diode range. Its Zener voltage shows only on a supply: feed it through a resistor that sets about 5 mA, cathode to positive, read quickly, and it should hold near its rated voltage.
Dead, it reads
The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
Open both ways, forward too: failed open.
Holds well off its rated voltage on the supply test: drifted.
A soft knee, or a voltage that creeps on the supply test: leaky.
On the board:
On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
Compare:
If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
Watch for:
A meter's diode range stops at about 2 to 3 V, so almost every Zener reads open in reverse on it, good or bad; a 3 V meter may just show a 2.4 or 2.7 V part. Above about 3 V the meter cannot tell a Zener from a plain diode.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
Datasheetfor MM3Z10B, opens in a new tab
PEC3203CSprinted BBSOD-323ESD protection diode, 2 pins, PanjitESD protection diode2 pinsPanjit
Printed BB on the part. Easy to misread as 88. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
What it is
ESD protection diode
Maker
Panjit
Package
SOD-323
Pins
2
Source
From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Diode range, from the protected line to ground, part lifted if you can.
Working, it reads
A one-way part reads about 0.6 to 0.8 V forward and open in reverse. A two-way part reads open both ways. Arrays with several lines read as the datasheet's diagram draws them.
Dead, it reads
From the line to ground, the same reading both ways, near 0 V with a continuous beep: shorted.
A reading both ways on a one-way part: leaky.
A one-way part open both ways: failed open.
On the board:
On the board, a line reading shorted to ground can be this part or anything else on that line. Lift it: if the short goes with it, it has failed.
Compare:
The same part on the next line or connector pin is the healthy reading to compare with.
Watch for:
A two-way part reads open both ways when it is good, exactly like one that has failed open. The meter cannot tell them apart; an identical part on the next line can.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
Datasheetfor PEC3203CS, opens in a new tab
10 more parts have no package on record. Nothing rules them out, so they stay.
- BAR81Wprinted BBPIN diode, InfineonPIN diodeNot recordedInfineon
  Printed BB on the part. Easy to misread as 88. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
  What it is
  PIN diode
  Maker
  Infineon
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  Not recorded
  Source
  From the manufacturer's datasheet
  Is it dead?
  Diode range, part lifted or one leg off the pad. Red probe on the anode.
  Working, it reads
  About 0.6 to 0.9 V anode to cathode, and open the other way.
  Dead, it reads
  The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
  Open both ways: failed open.
  On the board:
  On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
  Compare:
  If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
  Watch for:
  A varicap that has drifted in capacitance reads normal on a meter. Only a capacitance meter or the tuning itself shows it.
  A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
  Datasheetfor BAR81W, opens in a new tab
- BB555printed BBInfineonNot recordedNot recordedInfineon
  Printed BB on the part. Easy to misread as 88. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
  What it is
  Not recorded
  Maker
  Infineon
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  Not recorded
  Source
  From the manufacturer's datasheet
  Is it dead?
  Diode range and ohms range, part lifted.
  Working, it reads
  Depends on what it is. The datasheet, or an identical part, says.
  Dead, it reads
  Between two pins, the same reading both ways, near 0 V with a continuous beep: shorted.
  Open between every pair of pins: failed open, or a part that reads open when working.
  On the board:
  On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
  Compare:
  If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
  A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
  Datasheetfor BB555, opens in a new tab
- BBY58-07L4printed B8InfineonNot recordedNot recordedInfineon
  Printed B8 on the part. Easy to misread as 88. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
  What it is
  Not recorded
  Maker
  Infineon
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  Not recorded
  Source
  From the manufacturer's datasheet
  Is it dead?
  Diode range and ohms range, part lifted.
  Working, it reads
  Depends on what it is. The datasheet, or an identical part, says.
  Dead, it reads
  Between two pins, the same reading both ways, near 0 V with a continuous beep: shorted.
  Open between every pair of pins: failed open, or a part that reads open when working.
  On the board:
  On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
  Compare:
  If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
  A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
  Datasheetfor BBY58-07L4, opens in a new tab
- BCW61Bprinted BBTransistor, InfineonTransistorNot recordedInfineon
  Printed BB on the part. Easy to misread as 88. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
  What it is
  Transistor
  Maker
  Infineon
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  Not recorded
  Source
  From the manufacturer's datasheet
  Is it dead?
  Diode range, part lifted or its base leg off the pad.
  Working, it reads
  From the base, one probe colour reads about 0.6 to 0.75 V to the emitter and to the collector, and open the other way round. Collector to emitter reads open both ways.
  Dead, it reads
  Collector to emitter the same both ways, near 0 V with a continuous beep: shorted. The commonest failure.
  The base the same both ways to another pin, near 0 V or a middling value: a shorted junction.
  Only one junction reads, or none: a junction has failed open. It then looks like a diode.
  A reading the wrong way round, where it should be open: leaky.
  On the board:
  On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
  Compare:
  If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
  Watch for:
  A pair of diodes with a common pin reads just like a transistor, and some transistors carry a built-in diode or resistor. The datasheet says which.
  A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
  Datasheetfor BCW61B, opens in a new tab
- BZT52C3V0Kprinted B8Zener diode, Taiwan SemiconductorZener diodeNot recordedTaiwan Semiconductor
  Printed B8 on the part. Easy to misread as 88. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
  What it is
  Zener diode
  Maker
  Taiwan Semiconductor
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  Not recorded
  Source
  From the manufacturer's datasheet
  Is it dead?
  Diode range for the forward check, part lifted, red probe on the anode. A bench supply for the Zener voltage.
  Working, it reads
  About 0.6 to 0.8 V forward and open in reverse on the diode range. Its Zener voltage shows only on a supply: feed it through a resistor that sets about 5 mA, cathode to positive, read quickly, and it should hold near its rated voltage.
  Dead, it reads
  The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
  Open both ways, forward too: failed open.
  Holds well off its rated voltage on the supply test: drifted.
  A soft knee, or a voltage that creeps on the supply test: leaky.
  On the board:
  On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
  Compare:
  If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
  Watch for:
  A meter's diode range stops at about 2 to 3 V, so almost every Zener reads open in reverse on it, good or bad; a 3 V meter may just show a 2.4 or 2.7 V part. Above about 3 V the meter cannot tell a Zener from a plain diode.
  A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
  Datasheetfor BZT52C3V0K, opens in a new tab
- BZX884B22Lprinted BBZener diode, VishayZener diodeNot recordedVishay
  Printed BB on the part. Easy to misread as 88. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
  What it is
  Zener diode
  Maker
  Vishay
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  Not recorded
  Details
  22 V Zener diode
  Source
  From the manufacturer's datasheet
  Is it dead?
  Diode range for the forward check, part lifted, red probe on the anode. A bench supply for the Zener voltage.
  Working, it reads
  About 0.6 to 0.8 V forward and open in reverse on the diode range. Its Zener voltage shows only on a supply: feed it through a resistor that sets about 5 mA, cathode to positive, read quickly, and it should hold near its rated voltage.
  Dead, it reads
  The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
  Open both ways, forward too: failed open.
  Holds well off its rated voltage on the supply test: drifted.
  A soft knee, or a voltage that creeps on the supply test: leaky.
  On the board:
  On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
  Compare:
  If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
  Watch for:
  A meter's diode range stops at about 2 to 3 V, so almost every Zener reads open in reverse on it, good or bad; a 3 V meter may just show a 2.4 or 2.7 V part. Above about 3 V the meter cannot tell a Zener from a plain diode.
  A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
  Datasheetfor BZX884B22L, opens in a new tab
- ESDBNB8V0A1printed B8ESD protection diode, JSCJESD protection diodeNot recordedJSCJ
  Printed B8 on the part. Easy to misread as 88. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
  What it is
  ESD protection diode
  Maker
  JSCJ
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  Not recorded
  Details
  ESD protection diode, VRWM 8 V
  Source
  From the manufacturer's datasheet
  Is it dead?
  Diode range, from the protected line to ground, part lifted if you can.
  Working, it reads
  A one-way part reads about 0.6 to 0.8 V forward and open in reverse. A two-way part reads open both ways. Arrays with several lines read as the datasheet's diagram draws them.
  Dead, it reads
  From the line to ground, the same reading both ways, near 0 V with a continuous beep: shorted.
  A reading both ways on a one-way part: leaky.
  A one-way part open both ways: failed open.
  On the board:
  On the board, a line reading shorted to ground can be this part or anything else on that line. Lift it: if the short goes with it, it has failed.
  Compare:
  The same part on the next line or connector pin is the healthy reading to compare with.
  Watch for:
  A two-way part reads open both ways when it is good, exactly like one that has failed open. The meter cannot tell them apart; an identical part on the next line can.
  A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
  Datasheetfor ESDBNB8V0A1, opens in a new tab
- PEC3203C2Eprinted BBESD protection diode, PanjitESD protection diodeNot recordedPanjit
  Printed BB on the part. Easy to misread as 88. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
  What it is
  ESD protection diode
  Maker
  Panjit
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  Not recorded
  Source
  From the manufacturer's datasheet
  Is it dead?
  Diode range, from the protected line to ground, part lifted if you can.
  Working, it reads
  A one-way part reads about 0.6 to 0.8 V forward and open in reverse. A two-way part reads open both ways. Arrays with several lines read as the datasheet's diagram draws them.
  Dead, it reads
  From the line to ground, the same reading both ways, near 0 V with a continuous beep: shorted.
  A reading both ways on a one-way part: leaky.
  A one-way part open both ways: failed open.
  On the board:
  On the board, a line reading shorted to ground can be this part or anything else on that line. Lift it: if the short goes with it, it has failed.
  Compare:
  The same part on the next line or connector pin is the healthy reading to compare with.
  Watch for:
  A two-way part reads open both ways when it is good, exactly like one that has failed open. The meter cannot tell them apart; an identical part on the next line can.
  A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
  Datasheetfor PEC3203C2E, opens in a new tab
- TLV70710DQNprinted BBLDO regulator, 4 pins, Texas InstrumentsLDO regulator4 pinsTexas Instruments
  Printed BB on the part. Easy to misread as 88. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
  What it is
  LDO regulator
  Maker
  Texas Instruments
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  4
  Details
  200-mA, Low-IQ, Low-Noise, Low-Dropout Regulator for Portable Devices
  Source
  From the manufacturer's datasheet
  Is it dead?
  Voltage, board powered, black probe on ground. Then ohms with the power off.
  Working, it reads
  Input pin at the supply, output pin at its rated voltage, and the enable pin high if it has one.
  Dead, it reads
  Output equal to the input: the pass element has shorted. Everything after it may have taken the full input.
  Input present, enable high, no output: failed open, or holding itself off into a shorted load. Power off and measure output to ground.
  Power off, input to output near 0 Ω: shorted.
  On the board:
  An output at 0 V is often a shorted load with the regulator in current limit. Lift the output pin: if the short stays on the board, the regulator may be fine.
  Compare:
  The same regulator on another rail or another board shows the right voltages and the right resistances.
  Watch for:
  Makers put input, output and ground on different pins in the same package, so take them from this part's datasheet. Diode or ohms readings between its pins say little; check it powered.
  A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
  Datasheetfor TLV70710DQN, opens in a new tab
- TSS0230Uprinted BBSchottky diode, Taiwan SemiconductorSchottky diodeNot recordedTaiwan Semiconductor
  Printed BB on the part. Easy to misread as 88. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
  What it is
  Schottky diode
  Maker
  Taiwan Semiconductor
  Package
  Not recorded
  Pins
  Not recorded
  Source
  From the manufacturer's datasheet
  Is it dead?
  Diode range, part lifted or one leg off the pad. Red probe on the anode.
  Working, it reads
  About 0.15 to 0.45 V anode to cathode, roughly half a silicon diode, and open the other way.
  Dead, it reads
  The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
  A reading the wrong way round as well: leaky.
  Open both ways: failed open.
  On the board:
  On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
  Compare:
  If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
  Watch for:
  A large Schottky can read about 0.1 V forward and beep like a short, and leaks a little the wrong way when good, more when warm. It is shorted only if it reads the same both ways. Measure it cold, beside an identical cold one.
  A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
  Datasheetfor TSS0230U, opens in a new tab

1 more part has a code that begins with 88

Codes that begin with 88

For a marking with its end worn or burnt off. Each one shows its full printed code.

PLZ8V2Bprinted 8B2Zener diode, VishayZener diodeVishay
Printed 8B2. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.
What it is
Zener diode
Maker
Vishay
Package
Not recorded
Pins
Not recorded
Details
8.2 V Zener diode
Source
From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Diode range for the forward check, part lifted, red probe on the anode. A bench supply for the Zener voltage.
Working, it reads
About 0.6 to 0.8 V forward and open in reverse on the diode range. Its Zener voltage shows only on a supply: feed it through a resistor that sets about 5 mA, cathode to positive, read quickly, and it should hold near its rated voltage.
Dead, it reads
The same reading both ways round, near 0 V with a continuous beep or the same middling value: shorted.
Open both ways, forward too: failed open.
Holds well off its rated voltage on the supply test: drifted.
A soft knee, or a voltage that creeps on the supply test: leaky.
On the board:
On the board this is a first look only: the meter reads every path between those pins, and a short can be a neighbour. Lift one leg before you condemn it.
Compare:
If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
Watch for:
A meter's diode range stops at about 2 to 3 V, so almost every Zener reads open in reverse on it, good or bad; a 3 V meter may just show a 2.4 or 2.7 V part. Above about 3 V the meter cannot tell a Zener from a plain diode.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
Datasheetfor PLZ8V2B, opens in a new tab

One code, several parts

Marking codes are not unique. In the standard code book, 6H on a SOT-23 is an NPN transistor, a varicap, an N-channel JFET, two digital transistors, a 3.6 V voltage detector: six parts from five makers. So a search shows the parts we hold under that code and under codes easily misread as it, with only the columns that tell them apart.

6Hon a SOT-23, in the code book

NPN transistor
Varicap
N-channel JFET
Digital transistor ×2
3.6 V voltage detector

When more than one is left

Tap Help me choose. Up to 4 quick answers: whether the part has failed, then what separates the parts left. Those get ranked with the reasoning and a test that settles it. That uses one identification: 2 a month are free without an account, and 3 with a free account.

When you cannot read it

Tap the camera in the field. We read the characters, keep the ones we are unsure of, and search every reading. A photo too soft to read is turned back on your phone first; if it is the only one you can get, you can still send it.

What’s printed on it?

BBY58-02L

Is it dead?

Printed with a code easy to misread

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Is it dead?

Codes that begin with 88

Is it dead?

One code, several parts

When more than one is left

When you cannot read it