e-licktronic Forum

I'd really like a noobs guide to testing the power input volts for the IC pads before soldering the IC in as mentioned in the build notes.

What should I look for?
Is there a ground reading I need to take?
Where would I take the reading for the + volts or other needed readings?
Where will I ground my multimeter whilst taking the readings?
What voltages should I expect to see?
Other tips?

Sorry for the noob question but I've been looking at the data sheets, schematics and the PCB.pdf and am still feeling unsure.

Thanks in advance

My advice is DONT solder in the ICs, use sockets!

Sockets are cheap and will save you a lot of pain if something goes wrong.

The power voltages are shown on the back of the board. See those little black squares and circles around the solder pads? Those are your power points. On the single pin ICs they are the 4th and 8th pin.

Put your multi-meter in DC mode, negative pen goes to the ground wire on your PSU (you can kind of just put it in the wire housing on J5. Make sure its on the GROUND wire). Use red pen on your multi-meter to the power points.

Voltages should be around +15V and -15V. I think there are some +5V on some of the DIP ones..

I would also recommend socketing all ICs, as Rowan said.

Thanks for your input!!

I presume from looking at the .pdf of the board not all values are important to test?
I see some just have a square or just a circle marker.

I've decided to go down the socketed route, I'm sure this will pay off.

Thanks