Keep yourself current in a rapidly changing field by getting electronic components testing education and training. Getting a degree shows others in the industry that you are serious about your work and indicates that you are willing to put in the effort to learn the ins and outs of components testing.

Learning to test electronic components requires lab time and hands-on work. Many educational institutions offer this sort of training. To educate and train yourself in the field of electron component testing you might want to consider the following options:

1. Learn how to test electronic components from courses geared toward electrical engineering.

2. Obtain electronic components testing education and training in the area of engineering technology.

3. Attend electronic testing workshops, conferences and seminars.

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

Get hands-on experience with electronic components testing and measurement while getting a degree

Determine the intricacies of testing electronic components as you earn an Associates Degree in Electrical Engineering. Learn about current theories and practices in the industry by learning from experts who stay current in the field.

I recommend: World Wide Learn offers a summary for what a degree in electrical engineering entails along with the types of career a graduate could expect. It lists a series of colleges and universities offering online and on-site courses, so you know where you can obtain this degree. Degrees Online focuses primarily on colleges and universities that offer online courses leading to a degree in electrical engineering. It has an easy-to-use list of educational institutions with links to learn more about each one.

Get training in components testing through classes focused on engineering technology

Whether you are learning in a university classroom or taking advantage of distance learning resources, consider earning a degree in engineering technology and learn the fine details of electronic testing.

I recommend: All Star Directories proposes a list entitled "AllEngineeringSchools," which lists programs from IT schools and engineering schools that offer degrees in engineering technology. Each school comes with a fact sheet and contact information. Universities.com offers a listing where students can go to find a university or college in their state that offers a degree in engineering technology. It also has a listing of distance-learning universities and colleges.

Attend workshops and seminars that highlight electronic component testing

Keep current on electronic parts testing tools and trends by attending conferences, seminars and workshops dedicated to this field. Use the seminars to network with other professionals. This shows your dedication to your field as you take the time to educate yourself further.

I recommend: CTI, also known as the Components Technology Institute, offers a series of conferences for component professionals. Its conferences cover topics such as the one entitled "FACTS-Failure Analysis and Components Test Symposium." Drive Systems takes pride in its training format, allowing students to balance course reading with hands-on work in the lab. Its seminars start with basic instruction and become more detailed as students learn about testing active and passive electronic components.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Gain some experience in the testing of electronics components by working as an intern for a business specializing in this industry.

Testing electronic components allows you to save money by finding and isolating problems with the design before production begins. You can find flaws like electrical overstress, circuit layout problems and poor thermal design. If you skip the testing, you may be liable to consumers who buy your product and experience problems with it.

Electronic component testing provides diagnostics and specifications for your products. Not only does this help you sell your product to suppliers, it also gives consumers the information they need to determine whether your product is the best product for them to buy.

Before you decide to perform your own testing of electronics components, consider the following:

1. Evaluate your skill at electronic testing and determine whether you need to hire an outside expert to assist you during this component of the design process.

2. Inventory your tools, and factor in the cost to buy the equipment you need to complete the testing.

3. Keep in mind that consumers appreciate companies who use third-party or independent testing companies.

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

Rent electronic testing equipment for your business

Renting equipment often costs less than buying the equipment new. If you have a problem or a machine malfunctions, you can return it to the company and get another machine to complete your tests.

I recommend: TRA-RenTelco rents electronic component testing equipment to help you test and maintain electrical apparatus. Continental Resources, Inc. rents, sells and leases test and measurement equipment for use in electronic testing.

Buy electronic components testing and measurement equipment

If you plan to do a large quantity of electronic testing, it may benefit you to purchase the equipment. Authorized dealers or distributors often carry a larger line and offer guarantees that non-authorized dealers don't. Usually an authorized dealer must meet expectations for the manufacturer to remain authorized.

I recommend: EMSCO, a division of Hammond Electronics, sells test and measurement equipment, including multi-function tools like the AEMC 6470 Multi-Function Ground Resistance Testers. Newark carries a variety of electronic equipment, including thermal imagers.

Hire a company to perform electronic testing for your design

Professional companies know how to test electronic components for a wide array of specifications, including circuitry, continuity, failure analysis, resistance and sensitivity. These companies have all the equipment necessary to test electronic components, which means you won't have to purchase the equipment.

I recommend: Get a free quote for services from 360 Degree Test Labs, which provides world-class electronic components testing solutions for large and small corporations. DRA Component Services Inc. offers electronic components testing, including equivalent, environmental and burning-in testing.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Internet guides offer insider tips and techniques to help you test your own products. Before you pull out your credit card, evaluate the guide to ensure the author has expertise in the field. It's also a good idea to look for a money-back guarantee.

Electronic component testing equipment is extremely important for checking the operation of electronic components against quality standards before these components are delivered to customers. Electronic testing equipment is also useful for detecting the erroneous working of electronic components in an industrial or residential device.

Electronic testing equipment is available in various categories, such as analyzers, probes, testers, meters or signal-generating devices. While interacting with experts from the electronic industry, you will need to understand various technical terms that indicate types, processes or technologies related to an electronic components testing device. This guide will familiarize you with some electronic component testing key terms, such as oscilloscope, ohmmeter, ground resistance testers and thermography.

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

Thermography or infrared imaging

Thermography consists of infrared imaging processes that allow changes in temperature to be seen using the amount of radiation emitted by an object. Electrical power line technicians use infrared imaging cameras to detect overheating joints and parts to prevent potential hazards.

I recommend: If you want to understand thermography or infrared imaging, read through information at the Infrared Training Center, an infrared training company.

Oscilloscope

An oscilloscope is a device that displays a graphical representation of electrical signals. Technicians find oscilloscopes useful for repairing television sets and other electronic items.

I recommend: You can get detailed information on oscilloscopes and their applications at Trinity College Dublin.

Circuit breaker test sets

These devices are useful for testing circuit breakers and switching devices. You can use circuit breaker test sets to test low voltage power or thermal and magnetic motor overloads by simulating fault conditions.

I recommend: TRS-RenTelco, a supplier of industrial test equipment, provides information on circuit breaker test sets.

Ohmmeters

An ohmmeter is a portable device for measuring relatively low values of electrical resistance. It is an important test laboratory device.

I recommend: You can get detailed information on ohmmeters at IET Labs Inc., a supplier of testing devices.

Ground resistance testers

Ground resistance testers are devices useful in testing electrical grounding systems. These testers can measure ground resistance, current leakage and insulation resistance. The applications for ground resistance testers vary from construction to telecommunications projects.

I recommend: You can learn more about ground resistance testers at GlobalSpec, an online resource.

Megohmmeter or insulation resistance tester

A megohmmeter measures high value insulation resistance under a constant voltage supply. It is useful in the cable manufacturing, aeronautic and automotive industries and test laboratories.

I recommend: To learn more about megohmmeters and their applications, read through information at Sefelec, a leading manufacturer of measurement and power conversion equipment.