Mastech M-830B Transistor Test

The Mastech M-830B is capable of measuring the hFE value of a transistor, which is the DC current gain parameter. This is very useful for testing and diagnostic purposes.

To test a transistor you first need the documentation of that transistor to figure out which of its leads is emitter, base and collector, and whether it is PNP, or NPN type. You also need to determine the stated hFE value for comparison purposes.

Transistor Test

Here is a BC549C general-purpose transistor to be tested. The documentation usually shows the package type and the configuration of the leads. This particular transistor is an NPN type; therefore, it inserts into the NPN side of the socket.

Simply push the transistor leads into the correct holes on the NPN side of the test socket. The meter then displays the hFE value of the transistor.

The test obtained an hFE value of 518, and the transistor documentation indicates 500, therefore this transistor is operating within normal parameters.

Manual Testing

I prefer to use the diode test or a continuity test function and check each junction manually, as shown in my power amplifier repair guides. As one gets experienced one can tell straight away whether a transistor is short or open at any particular junction. This information is far more useful in fault diagnosis, and figuring out what is happening within a circuit.

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