Don MacArthur

A differential probe is an active device used to take measurements of certain circuit elements of electronic devices. They are most often used in conjunction with an oscilloscope. Key features and applications of differential probes are summarized in this article.

You know that feeling when a capacitor’s datasheet claims one thing, but NRTL’s online certification directory tells a different story? This blog is all about that - specifically a capacitor rated X1 and Y1, but the certification directory only showed X1. Moral of the story? Double check those certs early in the game to avoid delays.

The 5-Hour Rule, a simple concept many successful people use, is a solution to making the time for honing and developing new skills.

This month's blog is pulled from the product safety playbook. It highlights a potential issue to avoid when considering an optocoupler's creepage distance when placed onto a printed circuit board (PCB).

There is one important skill to develop, over and above all others, that makes life much easier, sets you on a path toward success, and increases your status as a true compliance professional.

Electricity meters and other similar devices have their own set of unique standards and requirements.

There are many properties of antennas used to describe their performance. The antenna factor is most useful to those performing electric field radiated emissions measurements.

If pre-compliance activities are good for discovering EMC design weaknesses early in product development, why not apply the same thought process to product safety?

This blog explains CDM ESD testing using the field-induced (FI) method, which is important for semiconductor manufacturers. It covers building a CDM-FI tester, waveform details and verification, and qualification nuances. 

This month's blog explains X-type capacitors, which suppress emissions in switch-mode power supplies and variable drives.