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Introduction:Powering UpRE: the FECPC1RE: the ISA SlotThe Change LogSchematics

Tests and Programs:MAXX OverviewMAXX CommandsTests in GeneralAvailable TestsTest FormatUsing MAXXLoggingOptionsParts Programs

Accuracy/Calibration: SpecificationsCalibration OverviewCalibration Step-by-StepStep-by-Step .pdf file

Troubleshooting:IntroductionMaintenance HintsCalibrated BoardsPlug-In BoardsSwitching PointsTheta/DVF CheckWhat BoardsBack to BasicsSchematics

FEC Home > Customer Support > FEC200 Support Home > Starting Up

FEC200 Powering Up

Unpacking and Connecting

When you have unpacked all the components, please interconnect them as shown on the connection drawing (pdf file). You also can reference the FEC200 typical setup drawing (pdf file). However, don’t plug into the AC mains just yet. Also you need not connect any automatic handlers yet. Just the manual station(s) will be sufficient.

It is best if you connect all of the peripheral equipment to the AC power strip in the tester, rather than connecting the computer, monitor or printer directly to the mains.

Please note the second panel from the top on the tester. This is the analog card rack. Please remove the four screws from the panel and lower it. Take this opportunity to inspect the card rack. All of the circuit boards should be firmly plugged in. Observe that there are some BNC connectors, tip, and banana jacks available behind this panel.

It is almost time to plug in the single AC mains cord to a source of 120VAC. But first, be sure that none of the interconnecting cables have come loose during shipment and that all of the connector retainers are screwed in.

Turn off all of the toggle switches on the tester and then plug in the power cord. Be sure that the toggle switch on the power strip is turned on. There is a lamp on this strip that should be glowing.

POWER UP

First turn on the small toggle switch on the lower right corner of the TOP panel. This powers up the “operating power” for the tester logic and low level analog circuits.

The voltages are +5V +12V and +/-15V.

Now turn on the monitor, printer, and computer.

ABOUT SOFTWARE INSTALLATION

The software is pre-installed on the hard drive. Your tester manual also contains a CD-ROM with a copy of the MAXX software. Read more about MAXX here. Read about the FreeDOS operating system here.

The computer will start up in FreeDOS in the C:\MAXX subdirectory. Enter MAXX to start the MAXX software. About 30 seconds later the MAXX main screen will appear. There will be a diagnostic program running in the background at this time (as it does whenever MAXX is running). Look for a bright red block on the screen indicating a SELFTEST failure. Hopefully, you will NOT see this message.

TROUBLE?

If you do see the SELFTEST error message, please recheck all the connections and in particular, please check the cable between the tester and computer and make sure that the interface board in the tester is firmly plugged in.

If you find something unplugged or plugged in wrong, please power-down and try again. Please don’t turn on any other toggle switches (except the top right) until you get the error message to go away.

OK NOW?

When the MAXX main screen is visible with no SELFTEST error message, you can proceed to turn on the test power (black button on corner panel and “2KV Power” on upper left).

Now you can load a test program, join it to a manual station, turn on the station and test. We have placed a few sample programs on your disk. To see a list of them, enter the command DIR.

1. Load your chosen program with LOAD <filename>. It will be loaded into station 0 (basically a holding station).
2. Use the <F4> key to select a station connected to a manual test station. Look for the yellow square cursor. We will refer to this as "station n."
3. Press <F6> to join the test program that you have loaded in station 0, into station n.

(You can read the program by pressing <F5> or print it with <F2> then <F5>.)

4. Activate station n by entering START n.
5. Enter the command WATCH n so that the test results will be monitored on the screen. If you want to print the readings also, you can also enter PLOG n.
6. Later, if you want to disable printing of readings, enter PLOG 0 or just PLOG. You can turn off the screen monitor in the same manner with WATCH 0 or just WATCH.

You should now be able to test a diode suitable for the test you have chosen by connecting it to station n and pressing the two TEST buttons on the test station.

You can also test the “current” station by pressing and holding <Alt> while pressing the <1> key. The “current” station is the one you high-lighted with the <F4> key.

When you test a diode, a small colored rectangle near the top of the screen will indicate the results of the SHORT, OPEN, POLARITY, AND CONTACT/KELVIN (SOPK) TEST. All four “Force” and “Sense” leads must be connected or you will get a CONTACT result.

SUCCESS?

If you couldn’t get the tester to work as above, you should review the troubleshooting section and call us for assistance if necessary.