How to test transistors with a digital multimeter

This is my step by step instruction how to test different kinds of transistors using a digital multimeter. Actually it's not mine. I've just made a short summary of these two videos by w2aew:

• How to test transistors - NPN and PNP bipolar junction transistors, BJTs
• How to test MOSFETs with a DMM - a few methods...

That's not a full check – I can say nothing about transistors' quality params. But I can say one thing for sure – even if one of these tests is failed the transistor is definitely dead.

Сontents

• NPN bipolar junction transistor test
• PNP bipolar junction transistor test
• MOSFET N-channel transistor test
• MOSFET P-channel transistor test

NPN bipolar junction transistor test

1. Switch the multimeter to the diode test mode.
2. Connect the multimeter's positive lead to the base and negative lead to the collector.
   Multimeter should read some voltage across the p-n junction (something like 500–700 mV).
3. Switch the negative lead to the emitter.
   Multimeter should read some voltage too.
4. Now connect the negative lead to the base. Connect positive lead to the collector, and after that to the emitter.
   In both cases the multimeter should display an open circuit (FLUKE, for example, shows ".0L").
5. Connect one lead to the collector and the other to the emitter. Then swap the leads.
   Again we should read open circuit in both cases.

PNP bipolar junction transistor test

1. Switch the multimeter to the diode test mode.
2. Connect the multimeter's negative lead to the base and positive lead to the collector.
   Multimeter should read some voltage across the p-n junction (something like 500–700 mV).
3. Switch the positive lead to the emitter.
   Multimeter should read some voltage too.
4. Now connect the positive lead to the base. Connect negative lead to the collector, and after that to the emitter.
   In both cases the multimeter should display an open circuit.
5. Connect one lead to the collector and the other to the emitter. Then swap the leads.
   Again we should read open circuit in both cases.

MOSFET N-channel transistor test

1. Switch the multimeter to the diode test mode.
2. Connect the multimeter's negative lead to the source and positive lead to the drain. This time the gate is disconnected.
   The multimeter should display an open circuit – the transistor is turned off.
3. Disconnect the positive lead from the drain and momentarily connect it to the gate. Reconnect the lead to the drain.
   Multimeter should read some voltage. The transistor is turned on and it will stay open as the gate acts like a small capacity.
4. Discharge the capacity connecting the source and the gate with a finger.
   The multimeter should display an open circuit again – the transistor is turned off.

MOSFET P-channel transistor test

1. Switch the multimeter to the diode test mode.
2. Connect the multimeter's negative lead to the drain and positive lead to the source. This time the gate is disconnected.
   The multimeter should display an open circuit – the transistor is turned off.
3. Disconnect the negative lead from the drain and momentarily connect it to the gate. Reconnect the lead to the drain.
   Multimeter should read some voltage. The transistor is turned on and it will stay open as the gate acts like a small capacity.
4. Discharge the capacity connecting the drain and the gate with a finger.
   The multimeter should display an open circuit again – the transistor is turned off.