Electron Plus CTL 503... opinions?

[pizzigri]

Hello!
I was looking around for a cheap or DIY curve tracer, and found this device from Electron Plus. I could not find a teardown, opinion or anything really here on EEVblog.....

https://www.saelig.com/product/ct503.htm

Anyone here has one and would like to share some info, good bad and maybe the guts of it?
Considering that it’s either an octopus, or the Peak or.... huge + expensive Tek monsters, and really nothing in between
Franco

[Kean]

I don't have any experience with this unit but there seems to be a lack of documentation, even on the main product website.  Maybe it is quite newly released, but I expect a bit more from test equipment user manuals than some software setup instructions.
https://electron.plus/product/ctl503-curve-tracer

The owner of Electron Plus is a member of the EEVblog forum with user name "fcb", and hopefully he will chime in.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/profile/?u=25995

I have a Peak DCA75 which is pretty good.  It is a bit limited in comparison, but good enough for my occasional needs.

[cncjerry]

I've been looking at curve tracers again after building the one from QST years ago that is excellent.  I was recently contacted by someone about my QST build so I was looking around again.  The issue with this one, if it is the same one I checked out, was that the maximum current was low and I can't remember what the max voltage was but I think that was low as well.

there is a pretty cool Arduino project around and that has current up to 50ma and max 12v but the voltage can be increased with the right opamps to 18v.  But the arduino project doesnt do negative voltages.

Anyway, all these tracers can get curves but are they displaying accurate values or just relative?  and does it matter since most time you are just matching.  One other point, there is a step generator type on eBay that someone gave me, it works well, and costs about 1/3 this one.  That one works with a scope.

[pizzigri]

Hey Jerry, that was me!
Yes I am interested in both a good Diy and a product, one for learning and one —- well if I cant get it to work obviously...

[slugrustle]

I'm curious if anyone has tried out one of these.

[Ancato]

I just bought the Electron Plus CTL503 a few days ago and I am quite happy with the functionality, after some initial trouble.
The max current (3A) and max voltage (100V) makes CTL503 more capable than other curve tracers that I have (Atlas DCA75 Pro & a selfmade Arduino based curve tracer).
Here are my thoughts after a few hours of playing around with the instrument.

Pros:
The max voltage and current: 100V and 3 A.
Both continuous and pulsed mode operation.
The CTL503 seems to handle NPN/PNP, NFET/PFET, Diode and SCR (I have only tested different NPN transistors so far).
All parameters that I can think of can be easily adjusted from the user interface.
The reult data seems to be very precise. There is also a calibration procedure that I havent tested yet.
All data from each run is saved in a text-file.

Cons:
The documentation is unfortunatly still pretty much non existing, see: https://electron.plus/pages/manuals
There are still no reviews or information about the Electron Plus CTL503 on Internet.
The user interface is a bit buggy (the 64-bit version of the sofware was very unstable for me - the 32-bit version works better).
I miss the possibility to see exact data values with "mouse over" on the curves.

[ixtern]

Would be nice to see some screenshots from the app with trace curves. I am thinking about some USB trace curver to buy and apart form hardware diffs would like to see software differences between DCA75 and CTL503, as I rather don't need high currents and voltages for testing.

[Ancato]

My software stability issues are gone with the latest software update that came yesterday (CTL24.002). Now everything works smooth.
See attached screenshoots of the CTL503 software and my own Excel Viewer.

[cyo3fff]

Hello Ancato,

Seems that you are the only one testing this instrument
I want to buy one of it but the way they present it is...hm, chines, not made in the UK! The manual is...as you mentioned, none existing.
So, I download the latest SW CTL24.002 (64 bit) to have a "feel and look". Don't know if it is due to have no instrument connected but I cannot understand few things.

On the graph types I have:
- for BJT: VCE-IC; VBE-IC; VCE-IB; IC-IB; than it jumps to FET
- FET: VDS-ID
and then jumps back to BJT: VCE-IC; VCE-IC; VCE-IC; VCE-IC; (yes! there is no typo, this graph repets 4 times. why?) and then jump to
- TEST: VR-VC (don't know what is good for - diodes?)

So, could you please clarify if this device is capable to measure and display MOSFET/FET/Diodes - Zener, SCR parameters? If that is so, how do you connect the diodes/SCR?
Is there a possibility to customize these graphs? Say for diodes to have I/V plot/measurements of for FET Id/Vgs, etc.

Another question is how fast the measurements are taken at full speed and maximum steps (12)?

If you have time, maybe you can add a plot for each device (BJT is done) (FET, MOSFET, Diode, Zener and maybe SCR). It will really help.

Thank you for your time!

BR,

Cristian

[bnilsson11]

Hi,

I am interested in this device too.
There are not too many affordable tracers around that can use collector currents >1000mA.

One of the measurements I would like to make is to map Hfe vs. collector current for a BJT.
It is not one of the standard curve tracing operations, or is it?
If not, can the CTL503 be wrestled to do it anyway?

[Neshco]

Me as well.
Is it possible that no one else tested it?

[RAPo]

Mine came in today. I'm taking the first hurdles.
Imho you need experience with an analogue curve tracer in order to use this instrument properly.

It is not plug-and-play like the atlas; it is not delivered with test leads.
I tried to reproduce a simple V_ce/Ic plot of a 2N222. However, using comparable settings, I got different images.
This requires quite a bit of study.

[Kean]

I tried to reproduce a simple V_ce/Ic plot of a 2N222. However, using comparable settings, I got different images.
This requires quite a bit of study.

Your traces seem to be limited by your Ic Max of 10mA (per the message at lower left).  Try increasing that to maybe 100mA.
But yeah, that looks weird!

I'm still interested in one of these units, but don't have a specific need and I already have a Peak Atlas DCA Pro.  For higher voltages & currents I surely can script something using one of my programmable PSUs (e.g. BB3) and if needed my K2400 SMU, but it would be nice to have something ready made with a nice automated GUI.

[RAPo]

Thanks for commenting.
I tried again with the 32-bit software, which gives better results for both 10mA and 100mA.
Then, I switched back to the 64-bit software, and the problem disappeared 9with the same setup).

The values in sampling (e.g. 50Hz) are a misnomer: it means 50 points on each trace, it has nothing to do with measurement s per second.
The scope graticule (on/off) is not working.
If you say I want my info saved at another directory, only the images are saved there, the csv files are in the progrma\n_files. I really dislike that all my data is separate from the program itself.

This software is in my lingo alpha state.

I'm really in dubio about sending this device back: the hardware is fine, but the software gives me the creeps.

[fcb]

Just been made aware of this thread update - will answer as much as I can.

Thanks for commenting.
I tried again with the 32-bit software, which gives better results for both 10mA and 100mA.
Then, I switched back to the 64-bit software, and the problem disappeared 9with the same setup).

The values in sampling (e.g. 50Hz) are a misnomer: it means 50 points on each trace, it has nothing to do with measurement s per second.
The scope graticule (on/off) is not working.
If you say I want my info saved at another directory, only the images are saved there, the csv files are in the progrma\n_files. I really dislike that all my data is separate from the program itself.

This software is in my lingo alpha state.

I'm really in dubio about sending this device back: the hardware is fine, but the software gives me the creeps.

The 50Hz (adjustable from 10 to 100Hz, in 10Hz increments) is actually the effective sample rate (the internal sample rate is much much higher).  To understand this better it helps to explain the way the CTL503 operates:

When "RUN" is commanded, an HV generator is started and this charges a small bank of capacitors (as well as suppling some other analog rails) to around 115V-130V. After the HV has enough time to reach it's operating voltage and the base/gate generator has stabilised, then the collector circuit is 'released', this will generate a ramped voltage over a number of seconds.
Collector voltage is constantly monitored by one of the channels of the dual ADC - this will cut-off the collector circuit when the maximum voltage is reached.

Like the base/gate generator, the collector circuit has the ability to be pulsed - this can be for approx. 80us or 300us and this happens at the 10-100Hz, this is done for two main reasons (1) lower heating in an part to be tested (2) so we don't need a >300W PSU (CTL503 is supplied with a 12V, 1.5A adaptor).


There is a new version (24.003) of the PC software (CTL) pretty close to release (we were aiming for 1st Nov 2024, but found a couple of things we wanted to improve and automate), this also comes with a better manual.  There are a whole slew of improvements and options. I should get time later this week to release it.

The software is written by me in a language called PureBasic. It is then compiled into a 32b and 64b version - there should (ostensibly) be no difference between them - we use double floating point precision so there may be something interesting going on at compile that we haven't spotted.  Certain anti-virus software complains occasionally about our SW - this seems to have gone away recently and we never really figured out why.

[RAPo]

fcb,

Thanks for this detailed explanation.
Regarding the virus checker part, I had to disable all Avast shields to install the software. After that, I enabled the shields and could run the program.

Could I give you the following pointers for enhancing the software?

*Please use the same directory the user can specify for images for the CSV files.
*the green of the graticule is very bright compared to the trace colours. Could that have less intensity (or make the graticule disappear if the user wants that).
*Please add right click action to the graticule part for cleaning the traces
*it would be great if the program identifies the kind of object (npn, pnp etc) instead of a user action that can be forgotten
*in some intermittent situations (I cannot reproduce it systematically) I have to press run twice to get a good graph. Is there a way to delete a run from within the program?

I decided to keep the unit so if you want a betatester don't hesitate to send me a pm.

[fcb]

fcb,

Thanks for this detailed explanation.
Regarding the virus checker part, I had to disable all Avast shields to install the software. After that, I enabled the shields and could run the program.

Could I give you the following pointers for enhancing the software?

*Please use the same directory the user can specify for images for the CSV files.
*the green of the graticule is very bright compared to the trace colours. Could that have less intensity (or make the graticule disappear if the user wants that).
*Please add right click action to the graticule part for cleaning the traces
*it would be great if the program identifies the kind of object (npn, pnp etc) instead of a user action that can be forgotten
*in some intermittent situations (I cannot reproduce it systematically) I have to press run twice to get a good graph. Is there a way to delete a run from within the program?

I decided to keep the unit so if you want a betatester don't hesitate to send me a pm.

Thank you RAPo - I've added your comments to our list however:
.."cleaning the traces" - can you elaborate what effect you are hoping to see or what processing you think should be applied?
.."identifying object" - do you mean an ID function like Peak's DCA75? Or perhaps have the quick-set (NPN/PNP/NMOS/PMOS/DIODE/SCR) be remembered? or something else?

thanks, Ben

[RAPo]

Hi Ben,

Thanks for the quick response.
In answer to your question:
-identifying object: indeed Atlas-like functionality (just the object not switching the channels after identifying)
-clearing the graticule: the most ideal situation would be a popup after right-clicking the graticule that gives the user a choice: clean current trace: the selected graph i.e. VCE-IC is cleared: no traces on the screen or a choice: clean all traces: all of the graphs VCE-IC, VBE-IC belonging to the DUT at hand are cleaned. I know that this can conflict with the bottom left bar for the CSV files. Maybe the best way would be to clean the traces and advance the run counter.

[bnilsson11]

Question to fcb about the measurement setup:
Is it possible the user to configure templates/template.csv and miniN.csv to do custom measurements as well, provided that proper documentation is presented on how to do it?

[fcb]

"template.csv" is primarily for internal use however it's contents are fairly self explanatory.

It's exact format and contents changes a little with updates - however the look up is:

3=Vr, 4=Vb, 5=Vc, 6=Ir, 7=Ib, 8=Ic, 9=TIB, 10=TVB
Vr is the measured VCE prior to a pulse
Vb is the measure VBE
Vc is the measured VCE during a pulse
Ir,Ib,Ic selfexplanatory
TIB is Theoretical Base/Gate Current
TVB is Theoretical Base/Gate Voltage

There is a set of other codes (including HFE) but these will work properly on 24.003 onwards.

mini0.csv through to mini9.csv is used to generate mini-graphs on the button - this is going away.

[rbola35618]

How do you connect a diode to get a curve? I am using the CTL503. If you can produce a video show how to use it would very helpful.  The user manuel does not explain any of the function and it would nice to a well documanted user manuel.  Regards Robert Bolanos

[RAPo]

For a diode you use the emitter and Collector terminals

How do you connect a diode to get a curve? I am using the CTL503. If you can produce a video show how to use it would very helpful.  The user manuel does not explain any of the function and it would nice to a well documanted user manuel.  Regards Robert Bolanos

[RAPo]

@fcb,
I was working with negative voltages.
The x-axis runs (from left to right) from 0 to the maximum voltage.
It would be more logical to show this the other way around, so the 0 voltage is on the farmost right.

Could this be updated in the software? (It is not a high priority for me because I always post-process the CSV files.

[fcb]

Good idea. I'll add it to the list of tweaks for 24.004

[cyo3fff]

Hello Ben (Fcb),

I still waiting after new SW release (and manual).
Do you think it would happen this year?
Also, would you be so kind to send a message when this will be released.

Still considering to buy your instrument but...the way the actual SW it presented is not attractive at all.

Thank you.

BR,

Cristian

[fcb]

Hi cyo3fff,

We are working on the release of revised CTL software over the Xmas break. Lots of +ve changes.

Will post here when it's released.

Ben

[RAPo]

Thanks. Have a good x-mas for you, your team, and you're loved ones