5 parts are printed 7B. 9 printed with a similar-looking code.
5 parts are printed 7B
Not sure which one you have?
Answer up to 4 quick questions and these 5 parts are ranked, with a meter test that settles it. It works on a dead part too.
BC807-25SOT-23PNP transistor, 3 pins, PanjitPNP transistorSOT-233 pinsPanjit
- What it is
- PNP transistor
- Maker
- Panjit
- Package
- SOT-23
- Pins
- 3
- Details
- -45 V, -500 mA PNP small-signal transistor, gain group 25
- Source
- From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Diode range, part lifted or its base leg off the pad.
Working, it reads
Black probe on the base 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.
BC807-25-AUSOT-23Transistor, 3 pins, PanjitTransistorSOT-233 pinsPanjit
- What it is
- Transistor
- Maker
- Panjit
- Package
- SOT-23
- Pins
- 3
- Details
- Bipolar transistor
- 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.
BZX384B56SOD-323Zener diode, 2 pins, VishayZener diodeSOD-3232 pinsVishay
- What it is
- Zener diode
- Maker
- Vishay
- Package
- SOD-323
- Pins
- 2
- Details
- 56 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.
MMBT3906SOT-23PNP transistor, 3 pins, NexperiaPNP transistorSOT-233 pinsNexperia
- What it is
- PNP transistor
- Maker
- Nexperia
- Package
- SOT-23
- Pins
- 3
- Details
- 40 V PNP small-signal transistor
- Source
- From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Diode range, part lifted or its base leg off the pad.
Working, it reads
Black probe on the base 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.
PESD5V0S2UATSOT-23ESD protection diode, 3 pins, NexperiaESD protection diodeSOT-233 pinsNexperia
- What it is
- ESD protection diode
- Maker
- Nexperia
- Package
- SOT-23
- Pins
- 3
- Details
- Double ESD protection diode in SOT23 package
- 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.
9 more parts are printed with a code easy to misread as 7B
Printed with a code easy to misread
One character differs, and it is one that is easy to confuse under a lamp. The odd one out is marked on each.
BZX84-C39printed T8SOT-23Zener diode, 3 pins, NexperiaZener diodeSOT-233 pinsNexperia
Printed T8 on the part. Easy to misread as 7B. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
- What it is
- Zener diode
- Maker
- Nexperia
- Package
- SOT-23
- Pins
- 3
- Details
- 39 V approx. ±5% voltage regulator (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.
BZX84J-B51printed TBSOD-323Zener diode, 2 pins, NexperiaZener diodeSOD-3232 pinsNexperia
Printed TB on the part. Easy to misread as 7B. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
- What it is
- Zener diode
- Maker
- Nexperia
- Package
- SOD-323
- Pins
- 2
- Details
- 51 V ±2% voltage regulator (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.
BZX384-C3V9printed T8SOD-323Zener diode, 2 pins, NexperiaZener diodeSOD-3232 pinsNexperia
Printed T8 on the part. Easy to misread as 7B. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
- What it is
- Zener diode
- Maker
- Nexperia
- Package
- SOD-323
- Pins
- 2
- 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.
MMFTP3008Kprinted TBSOT-23MOSFET, 3 pins, DiotecMOSFETSOT-233 pinsDiotec
Printed TB on the part. Easy to misread as 7B. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
- What it is
- MOSFET
- Maker
- Diotec
- Package
- SOT-23
- Pins
- 3
- Source
- From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Diode range, part lifted. Test drain to source first, then short gate to source and test again.
Working, it reads
One way between drain and source reads about 0.4 to 0.9 V, the body diode, and the other way open. The gate reads open to both other pins.
Dead, it reads
- Drain to source the same both ways, near 0 V with a continuous beep, and still so after shorting gate to source: shorted. The classic failure.
- The gate reads low to source or drain: gate shorted.
- No body diode at all: failed open.
- On the board:
- On the board the gate usually has a resistor to the source, which reads as that resistor and is not a fault. Lift a leg to be sure.
- Compare:
- If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
- Watch for:
- The diode range can charge the gate enough to turn the part on, and then drain to source reads near 0 both ways on a good part. Short gate to source and test again before you condemn it.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
PESD3V3U1UBprinted T8SOD-523ESD protection diode, 2 pins, NexperiaESD protection diodeSOD-5232 pinsNexperia
Printed T8 on the part. Easy to misread as 7B. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
- What it is
- ESD protection diode
- Maker
- Nexperia
- Package
- SOD-523
- Pins
- 2
- Details
- Ultra low capacitance unidirectional ESD protection diodes
- 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.
PUMD24printed T8SOT-363Digital transistor (PNP, resistors built in), 6 pins, NexperiaDigital transistor (PNP, resistors built in)SOT-3636 pinsNexperia
Printed T8 on the part. Easy to misread as 7B. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
- What it is
- Digital transistor (PNP, resistors built in)
- Maker
- Nexperia
- Package
- SOT-363
- Pins
- 6
- Details
- 50 V, 20 mA NPN/PNP resistor-equipped double transistor; R1 = 100 kΩ, R2 = 100 kΩ
- Source
- From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Ohms range, part lifted. The datasheet gives the built-in resistors: R1 in series with the base, R2 from base to emitter.
Working, it reads
Base to emitter reads about R1 plus R2 either way round, about 20 kΩ on a 10 k and 10 k part, give or take their wide tolerance. Collector to emitter reads open. A part with no R2 reads a junction behind R1 one way instead.
Dead, it reads
- Collector to emitter the same both ways, near 0 Ω with a continuous beep: shorted.
- From the base, open or far above R1 plus R2: R1 has failed. Static damage shows here most often.
- Base to emitter near 0 Ω: failed short.
- 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:
- The readings depend on the resistor values, so an identical part elsewhere on the board is the surest reference. Measure it the same way.
- Watch for:
- On the diode range a good part with 10 kΩ resistors reads open on every pair, so a good part looks dead there. Use the ohms range.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
EIA-96:78printed 780603Precision resistor (EIA-96 code), 2 pinsPrecision resistor (EIA-96 code)06032 pinsNot recorded
Printed 78 on the part. Easy to misread as 7B. Check that character with a loupe before you order anything.
- What it is
- Precision resistor (EIA-96 code)
- Maker
- Not recorded
- Package
- 0603
- Pins
- 2
- Details
- EIA-96 precision chip resistor, significand 63.4; the printed mark adds a multiplier letter (78A = 634 Ohm, 78B = 6.34 kOhm)
- Source
- Added by hand from a published table
Is it dead?
Ohms range, across it, power off.
Working, it reads
Its marked value, within tolerance. On the board it reads the same or lower, because everything around it sits in parallel.
Dead, it reads
- Open: burnt, cracked, or eaten through by sulphur. The commonest failure.
- Well above its marked value: drifted high.
- On the board, clearly higher than its marked value: it has failed, since the board can only pull a reading down.
- On the board:
- A reading lower than marked on the board proves nothing; lift one end. A reading higher than marked is a fault even on the board.
- Compare:
- The same position on another channel usually carries the same value, and so does the matching part on another board.
- Watch for:
- A burnt resistor usually means the part it feeds pulled too much. Find that before fitting a new one, or it burns too. The marking, not the reading, says what to fit.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
2 more parts have no package on record
BAR88-07LRHprinted T8PIN diode, InfineonPIN diodeNot recordedNot recordedInfineon
Printed T8 on the part. Easy to misread as 7B. 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.
BZT52C16Kprinted T8Zener diode, Taiwan SemiconductorZener diodeNot recordedNot recordedTaiwan Semiconductor
Printed T8 on the part. Easy to misread as 7B. 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.
6 more parts have codes that begin with 7B
Codes that begin with 7B
For a marking with its end worn or burnt off. Each one shows its full printed code.
BZT52B30printed 7B1SOD-123FZener diode, 2 pins, DiotecZener diodeSOD-123F2 pinsDiotec
Printed 7B1. 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
- Diotec
- Package
- SOD-123F
- 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.
PJT138Lprinted T8LSOT-363MOSFET, 6 pins, PanjitMOSFETSOT-3636 pinsPanjit
Printed T8L. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.
- What it is
- MOSFET
- Maker
- Panjit
- Package
- SOT-363
- Pins
- 6
- Source
- From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Diode range, part lifted. Test drain to source first, then short gate to source and test again.
Working, it reads
One way between drain and source reads about 0.4 to 0.9 V, the body diode, and the other way open. The gate reads open to both other pins.
Dead, it reads
- Drain to source the same both ways, near 0 V with a continuous beep, and still so after shorting gate to source: shorted. The classic failure.
- The gate reads low to source or drain: gate shorted.
- No body diode at all: failed open.
- On the board:
- On the board the gate usually has a resistor to the source, which reads as that resistor and is not a fault. Lift a leg to be sure.
- Compare:
- If an identical part sits elsewhere on the board, measure it the same way: that is what this one should read.
- Watch for:
- The diode range can charge the gate enough to turn the part on, and then drain to source reads near 0 both ways on a good part. Short gate to source and test again before you condemn it.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
TL431BQDCKprinted T8USOT-363Voltage reference, 6 pins, Texas InstrumentsVoltage referenceSOT-3636 pinsTexas Instruments
Printed T8U. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.
- What it is
- Voltage reference
- Maker
- Texas Instruments
- Package
- SOT-363
- Pins
- 6
- Details
- Precision Programmable Reference
- Source
- From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Voltage with the board powered; ohms from each pin to ground with it off.
Working, it reads
Supply pin at its voltage and the output doing what the datasheet says. Readings between pins depend on the part.
Dead, it reads
- A pin near 0 Ω to ground or to the supply pin where an identical part does not read that: failed short.
- Supply present, output stuck: failed, or its load has.
- On the board:
- A pin shorted to ground on the board can be anything on that net. Lift the pin to be sure.
- Compare:
- The surest reference is the same IC on a working board, measured pin by pin.
- Watch for:
- Its protection diodes can read like junctions between pins, even like a transistor. That proves nothing either way.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
TL432BCDBVprinted TBCJSOT-23-5Voltage reference, 5 pins, Texas InstrumentsVoltage referenceSOT-23-55 pinsTexas Instruments
Printed TBCJ. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.
- What it is
- Voltage reference
- Maker
- Texas Instruments
- Package
- SOT-23-5
- Pins
- 5
- Details
- Precision Programmable Reference
- Source
- From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Voltage with the board powered; ohms from each pin to ground with it off.
Working, it reads
Supply pin at its voltage and the output doing what the datasheet says. Readings between pins depend on the part.
Dead, it reads
- A pin near 0 Ω to ground or to the supply pin where an identical part does not read that: failed short.
- Supply present, output stuck: failed, or its load has.
- On the board:
- A pin shorted to ground on the board can be anything on that net. Lift the pin to be sure.
- Compare:
- The surest reference is the same IC on a working board, measured pin by pin.
- Watch for:
- Its protection diodes can read like junctions between pins, even like a transistor. That proves nothing either way.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
TL432BCDBZprinted TBCSSOT-23Voltage reference, 3 pins, Texas InstrumentsVoltage referenceSOT-233 pinsTexas Instruments
Printed TBCS. Only the start matches what you typed, so this fits only if the rest of the marking is worn off.
- What it is
- Voltage reference
- Maker
- Texas Instruments
- Package
- SOT-23
- Pins
- 3
- Details
- Precision Programmable Reference
- Source
- From the manufacturer's datasheet
Is it dead?
Voltage with the board powered; ohms from each pin to ground with it off.
Working, it reads
Supply pin at its voltage and the output doing what the datasheet says. Readings between pins depend on the part.
Dead, it reads
- A pin near 0 Ω to ground or to the supply pin where an identical part does not read that: failed short.
- Supply present, output stuck: failed, or its load has.
- On the board:
- A pin shorted to ground on the board can be anything on that net. Lift the pin to be sure.
- Compare:
- The surest reference is the same IC on a working board, measured pin by pin.
- Watch for:
- Its protection diodes can read like junctions between pins, even like a transistor. That proves nothing either way.
A dead part still carries its marking. A short or an open says it has failed, not that it is a different part.
1 more part has no package on record
PLZ7V5Bprinted 7B5Zener diode, VishayZener diodeNot recordedNot recordedVishay
Printed 7B5. 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
- 7.5 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.
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.
- 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.