I do electronics and sometimes, measuring the parameters of an unknown component can be "interesting" to say the least. Many companies will use "house branded" parts which may be a common device but will have an identification number known only to that company. If the company is defunct, so are your chances of learning what the part really is.
Just ran into this puppy on eBay:
2014 Mega328 Transistor Tester Diode Triode Capacitance ESR Meter MOS/PNP/NPN 5
1:Automatic detection of NPN and PNP transistors, n-channel and p-channel MOSFET, diode (including double diode), thyristor, transistor, resistor and capacitor and other components
2: Automatic test the pin of a component, and display on the LCD
3:Can detect the transistor, MOSFET protection diode amplification coefficient and the base to determine the emitter transistor forward biased voltage
4: Measure the gate and gate capacitance of the MOSFET threshold voltage
5:Use 12864 liquid crystal display with backlight
So, basically, you plug your device into this unit, power up and it will tell you what it thinks you have. Lots of pictures at the eBay listing. Hell, for under $20, this is a no-brainer. If it gets me part way to a positive identification, I can fine tune with my other instruments.
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