Quick answer. Choose an IC tester on its device library, not on whether it is labelled digital, linear or universal. These instruments apply input patterns to a part they recognise and compare the outputs with the expected result, so a device that is not in the library cannot be tested at all. Send the list of logic families, operational amplifiers, timers and regulators your laboratory stocks, ask for each to be confirmed against the library, and ask whether you can add devices yourself by entering a pin configuration and truth table. A user-editable library is what keeps the tester useful in three years.
Five testers are listed here: IC-0001 Digital IC Tester, IC-0002 Universal IC Tester TR-02, IC-0003 Universal IC Tester TR-03, IC-0004 Linear IC Tester and IC-0005 Digital IC Tester TR-05. They are really three kinds of instrument, digital, linear and universal, with model variants whose differences the listing does not state, so quote the code and ask for the specification. Before you buy any of them it is worth being clear about what an integrated circuit tester can and cannot tell you, because laboratories routinely expect more of these instruments than they can deliver.
| Code | Tester | Intended devices |
|---|---|---|
| IC-0001 | Digital IC tester | Logic devices, tested against a stored truth table |
| IC-0005 | Digital IC tester, model TR-05 | As above; ask what the model difference is |
| IC-0004 | Linear IC tester | Operational amplifiers, timers, regulators and similar analogue parts |
| IC-0002 | Universal IC tester, model TR-02 | Claimed to cover both digital and linear; ask which families |
| IC-0003 | Universal IC tester, model TR-03 | As above; ask what distinguishes it from TR-02 |
An integrated circuit tester applies a sequence of input patterns to a device it recognises from its internal library and compares the outputs against the expected result. That makes it very good at one thing: telling you whether a part is functionally dead, wrongly marked or inserted the wrong way round. It is not a parametric test. A tester of this class will not measure propagation delay, output drive capability, input leakage, offset voltage or any other data sheet parameter, so a device that passes can still be out of specification in a way that matters in a fast or marginal circuit. It also cannot tell a genuine part from a re-marked one that happens to pass the functional test. Say this to students rather than letting them conclude that a pass means a good device.
Two practical limits follow. Devices must be tested out of circuit, so a soldered part has to be removed first, and the test tells you nothing about a fault that only appears under load in the real circuit. And the tester only knows devices in its library.
Ask these questions about every code you are considering, because they decide whether the instrument is still useful in three years:
Testers are used with loose integrated circuits, which is exactly the situation static damage happens in. Ask whether the instrument comes with a conductive storage arrangement, and set the bench up with a wrist strap and a dissipative mat; store parts in conductive foam or tubes rather than loose in a drawer. Three rules belong on the laboratory wall: never insert or remove a device with the socket powered; check pin one orientation before closing the socket, since a reversed device is usually destroyed; and do not force a part whose leads are bent, because a bent lead in a zero-insertion-force socket damages the socket, which is the expensive part to replace. Ask what a replacement socket costs and whether it is user-replaceable.
IC-0001 and IC-0005 are both digital testers and IC-0002 and IC-0003 are both universal testers, differing only by a model suffix that is not explained. Ask for the two specifications side by side in each case and buy the current model. Note also that a digital integrated circuit tester, a universal tester and a universal programmer appear again in the Testing and Measuring Lab Trainers listing under its own code series, so ask the supplier to confirm which product you are being quoted.
The manual with the device list; the quantity you need, which for a tester is usually one or two per laboratory rather than one per bench, since testing is a short operation; the display type and whether it is readable across a bench; the supply voltage, frequency and plug type for your country; calibration, if any is claimed, and on what basis; and the warranty. Any device count or coverage figure quoted is confirmed in writing on the quotation; ask for the device list itself rather than a total.
Device programming and erasing are under EPROM Programmer and Programmer Tester. The experiments these devices are used in are under Digital and Analog Trainers and Kits and Basic Electronics Trainers, with components themselves under Electronic Components. Processor and microcontroller work is under Microprocessor Trainers and Kits and Embedded System Trainers, and measuring instruments under Testing and Measuring Lab Trainers. Parent range: Electronics Lab Trainer Kits.
Send the list of device types your laboratory stocks and ask for a quote that confirms each one is in the tester's library, and states whether the library is user-editable. For example Universal IC Tester (IC-0002), two units, with the device list and the update policy supplied in writing. Contact Ray Export for prices, device lists and lead times.
A digital tester, IC-0001 or IC-0005 (model TR-05), checks logic devices against a stored truth table. The linear tester, IC-0004, is for operational amplifiers, timers, regulators and similar analogue parts. The universal testers, IC-0002 (TR-02) and IC-0003 (TR-03), are claimed to cover both digital and linear devices, so ask exactly which families. The listing does not explain how TR-05 differs from IC-0001, or TR-03 from TR-02, so ask for the two specifications side by side in each case and buy the current model.
No. A tester of this class is a functional test, not a parametric one. It is very good at telling you whether a part is dead, wrongly marked or inserted the wrong way round, but it will not measure propagation delay, output drive capability, input leakage, offset voltage or any other data sheet parameter. A device that passes can still be out of specification in a fast or marginal circuit, and a re-marked part can pass the functional test. Tell students this directly, rather than letting them conclude that a pass means a good device.
No. Devices must be tested out of circuit, so a soldered part has to be removed first, and the test tells you nothing about a fault that only appears under load in the real circuit. Ask the pin count of the zero-insertion-force socket and whether adapters are available for other packages, because almost all of these testers take dual-in-line parts only and a surface-mount device needs an adapter. If you repair boards, also ask whether the tester can search its library to identify an unknown device, and how reliable that is.
Ask how many devices are in the library and which families, then ask for the device list itself rather than a total. Check that the logic families your laboratory stocks are covered and, for the linear and universal testers, which operational amplifiers, timers and regulators. Ask whether the library can be updated, how updates are delivered, whether they are free and for how long, and whether you can add a device yourself. Finally, ask whether the tester reports the failing pin or vector or only pass and fail; for teaching, the diagnosis is the lesson.
The listing does not say, so ask for each code whether it works standalone or connects to a computer. If a computer is needed, ask which operating system and version the software requires, whether the software licence is included, and whether the drivers work on your machines. For a standalone unit, ask the display type and whether it is readable across a bench. In either case confirm the supply voltage, frequency and plug type for your country, the warranty, and that a manual with the device list is supplied.
Testers are used with loose integrated circuits, which is exactly when static damage happens. Set the bench up with a wrist strap and a dissipative mat, store parts in conductive foam or tubes rather than loose in a drawer, and ask whether the instrument comes with a conductive storage arrangement. Put three rules on the wall: never insert or remove a device with the socket powered; check pin one orientation before closing the socket, since a reversed device is usually destroyed; and never force a part with bent leads, which damages the socket. Ask whether the socket is user-replaceable.
Ray Export is a manufacturer and exporter of laboratory, scientific and educational equipment based at Plot No. 449, HSIIDC Industrial Area, Saha, Ambala, Haryana 133104, India. Enquiries: [email protected], +91-9817319615.
Written by Palak Mall, Senior Content Writer. Technically reviewed by Arvind Kumar, Lab Equipment Specialist, 12+ years in laboratory and testing instrumentation. Last updated: 17 October 2026.
Library coverage, device counts and every other specification are confirmed in writing on the quotation; ask for the device list itself rather than a total. For calibration or any other certificates, contact us for the latest copies of the relevant certificates. No price is quoted here. Listing defects noticed: IC-0001 and IC-0005 (digital) and IC-0002 and IC-0003 (universal) differ only by model suffixes that are not explained; and a digital IC tester, a universal tester and a universal programmer appear again in the Testing and Measuring Lab Trainers listing under a separate code series, so confirm which product is being quoted.
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