Electronic testing equipment is vital to any industry which must do regular maintenance on their electrical systems and supplies. To name a few, industries which utilize electronic equipment on a large scale include communications, electronics, defense, industrial electronics and automotive.

From meters for measuring electrical current to oscilloscopes and test probes to automotive electronic test equipment, electronic testing equipment comes in a variety of grades and uses. Most vendors of electronic test equipment sell a wide variety of types of electronic supplies, so if you need more than one type of equipment, you ought to be able to find everything you need from one distributor. Connect with the right electronic equipment related business for you by finding:

1. Suppliers of new electronic equipment specific to your business

2. Used electronic equipment components for reduced prices

3. Electronic test equipment rental service

4. Suppliers to buy your old supplies for electronics

5. Electronic supplies repair service to minimize replacement costs

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Equip your business with new electronic testing equipment

While buying new can be expensive, the advantage is the warranty and customer support that comes with the price tag. Bigger businesses needing to distribute new electronic equipment to multiple locations should consider purchasing new in bulk. Also, consider purchasing power supply measuring units new as precision with such instruments is vital.

I recommend: For electronic tools equipments, contact Test Equipment Sales for meters and Global Test Supply for DC power supply measurement systems.

Save money by purchasing surplus and used electronic test equipment

Rather than pay the full price for a new piece of electronic test equipment, smaller businesses may find purchasing used or refurbished electronic equip a viable solution. Also, surplus electronic equipment inventories sell government-issued equipment at reduced prices. For example, research institutions may find purchasing refurbished AC and DC electronic loads more practical than purchasing new.

I recommend: Buy used equipment for electronics testers from Tucker Electronics and TekNet Electronics. MG Electronics sells cheap surplus electronic equipment.

Rent electronic testing equipment for one-time use

If you just need to run some diagnostic tests on your equipment, consider electronic test equipment rental. Alternatively, if you need equipment for an extended period of time, but prefer not to purchase, lease your electronic component equipment. Electronic test equipment rental is common to businesses in the communications industry.

I recommend: Communications businesses can rent Spirent electronic equipment from McGrath RentCorp. Electro Rent has electronic equipment for both rental and lease.

Repair your equipment for electronics rather than purchasing replacements

For a nominal fee, a repair service can evaluate your damaged electronic supplies for repair. Consider repair if you own a particularly expensive or hard-to-replace piece of electronic equipment.

I recommend: OpLink Solutions repairs electronic equipment from major manufacturers, including Agilent, Hewlett Packard and Tektronix. A.H. Electronics specializes in the repair of out-of-production electronic equip, including many brands of signal generators.

Sell your company's extra electronic supplies to a surplus distributor

Make money by selling electronic equipment components that you no longer need to a surplus company. Consider selling items such as meters, as many consumers purchase these used. Buy-back businesses are much more likely to show interest in more popular items such as those.

I recommend: Test Equipment Depot and MetricTest both buy back supplies for electronics.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Opt for a premium warranty on your electronic test equipment and you'll save a lot of money on servicing in the long run. Be sure to cover rentals with an insurance policy in case something goes wrong.