A Simple "Component Noise" Tester Circuit!
Added 2025-04-16 11:32:01 +0000 UTCFind those noisy parts before you build, or use this circuit for component verification. This circuit will test all sorts of parts for intermittent noise, and even breakdown. A very beneficial tool for the test bench! See attachment below for the schematic. Enjoy!
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Comments
Hello, can I get the schematic for this simple tester from video 214? My email is predrag.nemcic@gmail.com
Predrag Nemcic
2025-11-25 14:14:50 +0000 UTCCan I please get the simple noise tester schematic as noted in a possible request… Thank you Mr. Carlson. MichaelScot4u@icloud.com (I don’t mind everyone knowing my email…. We are all in this electronics family together.)
Michael in Florida
2025-07-29 01:07:57 +0000 UTCIm currently on the lowest tier. Don’t think this allows me to send PM. How can i get the schematic? Thanks in advance.
Adriaan Diedericks
2025-07-15 06:53:58 +0000 UTCI thought if a diode was reversed it would fail.
Billy Sharp
2025-06-27 04:20:41 +0000 UTCGotta be careful of dragging components into different operating conditions when adding a voltmeter; some are relatively low resistance (hence why VTVM are so useful!) and might give a different result than what would happen in circuit.
Dan Lade
2025-06-02 14:27:06 +0000 UTCThis is a great video. Where can I get the schematic for video #214 and circuit for this? There is no Black letter link to click.
Jeff
2025-05-24 21:12:55 +0000 UTCI would imagine that if a battery on a computer board leaked out it would also get into the diode.
Kilroy's Odessa Woodworking & Maker Shop - Al
2025-04-29 20:10:29 +0000 UTCMr. C - Thanks for sharing ! Will definitely be an addition to the bench.
Bart H
2025-04-28 11:30:09 +0000 UTCI think it's a really nice design. The 100K Ohm resistor to limit current from the power supply. A 1M ohm resistor to discharge if you put a charged cap on by mistake for the device under test. 0.001uf to block DC, and the 1N4007 diodes in inverse parallel to protect the input of an audio amplifier.
Jonathan Hughes
2025-04-26 00:32:50 +0000 UTCOne of the most informative and enjoyable learning sessions, Thank you.
James Gebhard
2025-04-23 02:47:59 +0000 UTCWith the clip leads open, you would hear your supply without any component installed. So if needed, you could determine if your supply is noisy this way.
Mr Carlson's Lab
2025-04-22 08:49:59 +0000 UTCMy only concern is I don't own a very good power supply and it can be very noisy. Will this effect what you hear in the components you're testing with the circuit. how do you know you're not hearing the noise from a junk power supply?
Jonathan Hughes
2025-04-20 01:29:28 +0000 UTCYes, I too hope that Mr. Carlson will explain how the components make noise.
Ghashaan
2025-04-18 20:49:45 +0000 UTCMr. Carlson, can you explain the physics behind why some components are quite and some are loud? I am amazed by learning how useful the ultra probe is for different applications! Well appreciated.
Ghashaan
2025-04-18 20:47:08 +0000 UTCVery interesting question. My inclination would be that a gas tube like the 0A3 would be very noisy but I’ve never tested it. That might make for a nice follow on discussion and experiment.
X-Ray
2025-04-18 17:58:14 +0000 UTCJohn sorry if I righting to you! It is possible that you can tel me how i can contact mrCarlson to ask hem for some of the file e schematic! I don’t have is Email, i tray to contact hem hear and he did not replay. Can you pleas help me to how i can contact hem to let hem no if he can send the fail! I contribute to support is channel for quite some time, he is asking to use PM which i thing he meant personal message. Can you please gaudy me though i will appreciate! Thank you so much a sorry to disturb you. smarino51@ hotmail.com
Salvatore Marino
2025-04-18 15:39:17 +0000 UTCIt’s been years and they’re still making noise Very cool I remember both of those parts Those videos helped me when working on equipment When I was a kid I heard noise like on equipment and didn’t know what was causing it but it’s so simple That is neat how you can find the zener voltage with sound!
Kenny Fidler
2025-04-17 14:27:27 +0000 UTCPaul, when you design your test fixture consider using a miniature digital voltmeter across the test leads. Some of them are vey nice. The true voltage across the DUT may be helpful.
Donald Kash
2025-04-17 03:55:47 +0000 UTCBesides heat, humidity, poor quality control, and leaking electrolyte you can add leaking alkaline from batteries to the list. Very nasty stuff. I really like the idea of "pre-testing" components. Some people may think I am just being fussy but I want to know before I go that something is solid, dependable and reliable.
Richard Goebel
2025-04-16 23:47:07 +0000 UTCThanks for an interesting and useful video. When testing a component can I assume you use the voltage that the component will see in the circuit? I can’t imagine putting 250 volts into a resistor that was in my vintage radio. Also I alway enjoy how and why a circuit works. What is it about a noisy resistor that makes the circuit produce static? Thanks
Peter S DeLuca
2025-04-16 22:38:30 +0000 UTCGreat stuff!👍
KPC01
2025-04-16 21:44:32 +0000 UTCDear Mr. Carlson wish you a very fine day, thank you very much for this nice useful circuit, from month ago I was thinking about your signal tracer Heathkit T3, and trying to find away to reverse engineering its schematic to design a noise detector like T3 can by using it with lower voltage, usually Heathkit T3 use from 150 to 200 VDC, and I don’t need that much volt every time, and I was thinking to use LR8N3 regulator to supply from 1.5 volt to 200 volt DC. But the problem is I don’t have bag full with noise component like you have, therefore I cannot design the circuit, and today you make me happy by making a great smart circuit for noisy components, I need to know what the safe voltage to use it with audio amp, or ultra prop?, thank you very much again.
LoSaYa
2025-04-16 20:31:01 +0000 UTCThank you for the info! Do you have de E mail address? Can you send it to me i don’t have is E mail. Thank you again.
Salvatore Marino
2025-04-16 18:50:40 +0000 UTCPaul, This was a very helpful video on one type of noise that components can generate. You may want to consider a follow up discussion on microphonics. Many capacitors become microphones. Some tube testers have the ability to test tubes for microphonics. Do you know any techniques to detect microphonic parts out of circuit? Also, some diodes with glass bodies can detect light and pn junctions can be used as temperature sensors.
Paul Rawlings
2025-04-16 18:10:17 +0000 UTCA few vacuum tube audio amplifiers have as high as 600v and RF amplifiers even higher. Is there an advantage to testing components at higher voltages for noise in the same voltage range.
Steve Foudray
2025-04-16 18:03:43 +0000 UTCVery interesting. Did not know zeners were so noisy. My old Heath signal tracer has a noise test, works well, but uses about 100V., so o.k. for my tube gear only.
Tom Harris
2025-04-16 17:54:19 +0000 UTCThe rules changed a little while ago. If you are a contributor to the channel, you just need to send Paul a pm and let him know which project you’re interested in. He will send those to you. It helps prevent those who don’t pay have access to everything that people who pay. If this has changed, maybe someone else can chime in.
John Parker
2025-04-16 17:51:02 +0000 UTCHi Paul, great little circuit but I'm curious how it differs from my noise circuit in my Heathkit signal tracer?
fred buchner
2025-04-16 16:44:54 +0000 UTCSo.. regulating supply voltage with a tube like an 0A3 say for an audio amp would be more silent then?
Carlos Pechiar
2025-04-16 16:35:49 +0000 UTCSorry i mean PM and Patreon
Salvatore Marino
2025-04-16 16:31:09 +0000 UTCHi Mr Carlson! This is my first time righting! I support your channel hear on Patron for some time. I will like to have access to some of the schematic and file to build the project! Ma tell me to go thru P R How i can have the possibility to have the schematic e file! I thot by contributing to the channel i would have access to the schematic and file bat this is not de case can you give me some indication on how i can access them! Even if i will eft pay extra! Email smarino51@hotmail.com
Salvatore Marino
2025-04-16 16:25:51 +0000 UTCYears ago I saw a schematic for a hardware random-number generator that was basically a reverse-biased diode, a bunch of gain, and (I think) a comparator to square up the waveform. This was connected to an old-school RS-232 serial port and the result was a stream of (presumably) high-quality random numbers, all thanks to the racket produced by reverse-biased diodes.
Circuitmike
2025-04-16 15:48:19 +0000 UTCVery nice simple addition to my Ultra Probe, Thanks Mr C!
Steve Retchko
2025-04-16 14:37:12 +0000 UTCMr. Carlson your carlsonlab.com page has a problem with the varification step sign on. I keep clicking the items it requests but it will not let me log on. It is like there is no end to varification. Please let me know why this is happening.
John E Barron III
2025-04-16 13:56:27 +0000 UTCI've learned so much stuff over the years thank you for sharing your knowledge
anthony Gru
2025-04-16 13:45:46 +0000 UTCNice little setup. Glad to have add-on features for my Ultra Probe. Thanks!
Sheldon Butler
2025-04-16 12:49:13 +0000 UTCPaul, Thanks for the fun and informative video. I'm curious about your back to back diodes for protecting the input to the external amp. What noise they might be generating.
ELZed
2025-04-16 12:40:03 +0000 UTCThanks Mr. C Question. To keep from having to turn the power supply off and on, and flipping the part you're testing around each time, would putting a TPTT (on/off/on) switch to flip the part around be quiet enough, or would that just inherently introduce more noise? Just wondering.
James Roberts
2025-04-16 12:29:49 +0000 UTCNice work Mr. Carlson
EMBALM YOU
2025-04-16 12:07:09 +0000 UTC
