background image

Huntron Shortrack model 90 User’s Manual (part no. 21-1186);
Rev 1, 1/98

INTRODUCTION

The Huntron SHORTRACK Model 90 is a short locating accessory for the Tracker line of Analog
Signature Analysis (ASA) instruments. A Tracker can detect that there is a low impedance fault
on a certain node of a PCB but it cannot always locate where the fault is. The SHORTRACK is
designed to pick up and give an indication of the current flowing through the fault so that it can
be followed and located.
The SHORTRACK can be used with the LOW range of the Tracker 1000, Tracker 2000 or
Tracker 5100DS. It is powered by a 9 Volt battery and has a LCD display with a fast responding
analog bargraph and a digital readout. An inductive probe is used to trace current flow in the
PCB.

HOW TO USE THE SHORTRACK

This section explains how to use your instrument. Topics included are:
- Description of physical features and their operation
- Setup procedure

-

 Application 

examples

Features

This section describes the features of your instrument. Refer to the figure below.

Display:

The display is an LCD which consists of an analog display and a digital display:
The Analog Display is a 101 segment bargraph that simulates a meter movement. It is elliptical
in shape to allow the large number of segments to be displayed. The bargraph responds quickly
to signal changes and it can be understood directly so this is the primary means of tracing
current with the SHORTRACK.

Summary of Contents for Shortrack 90

Page 1: ...and has a LCD display with a fast responding analog bargraph and a digital readout An inductive probe is used to trace current flow in the PCB HOW TO USE THE SHORTRACK This section explains how to use your instrument Topics included are Description of physical features and their operation Setup procedure Application examples Features This section describes the features of your instrument Refer to ...

Page 2: ...digital displays to 100 while the probe monitors a reference current POWER Switch This switch turns the instrument ON and OFF Probe Receptacle This connector is for the current probe Setup 1 Select the LOW range on the Tracker NOTE The SHORTRACK is designed to be used with the LOW range of any Tracker All other Tracker ranges do not provide enough current to give meaningful readings 2 Connect the ...

Page 3: ...ce the reading will drop to zero when you pass the short or the current branches off into another trace If there is no other physical branch where the reading goes to zero inspect that location for the fault that is causing the short Applications Now that you have a basic idea of how to use the SHORTRACK we will provide several examples covering various types of low impedance faults Hard Shorts le...

Page 4: ...f the PCB Cutting the area between the two traces can remove the short and restore the proper signature that should exist when the Tracker leads are connected to the two traces Backplane Example A common problem in a manufacturing environment is a solder bridge between adjacent pins of a device In this example you have detected a short between two adjacent traces on the backplane PCB shown in the ...

Page 5: ...t A 2 Align the probe and adjust GAIN for a reading of 100 3 Probe point B The reading will be 100 so all the current at point A is still flowing at point B 4 Probe point C The display will drop to zero because point C is past the fault U2 is the suspect IC and you can verify that current is flowing through it by putting the probe on top of U2 This will show a fairly strong reading 40 60 whereas t...

Page 6: ... not pick the best location for connecting the Tracker leads to the PCB the first time moving the Tracker leads around can be a normal part of short location MAINTENANCE Repairs or servicing not covered in this manual should only be performed by qualified service personnel as described in the HUNTRON SHORTRACK Model 90 Service Manual contact Huntron for availability General Maintenance To clean th...

Page 7: ...lease include a description of the malfunction An instrument under warranty will be promptly repaired or replaced at Huntron s option and returned at no charge See the front of this manual for warranty terms If the warranty has lapsed the instrument will be repaired and returned for a service fee Contact Huntron for prices SPECIFICATIONS Signal Source LOW range of a Huntron Tracker open circuit vo...

Reviews: