Build a Budget Electronics Laboratory
Build a capable, reasonable quality, electronics laboratory on a budget.
Goals and Limitations
Recommended Software
Signal Analysis
Sigrok is a portable, cross-platform, open-source signal analysis suite.
On Debian-derived Linux systems, install sigrok with the following command.
apt install sigrok sigrok-cli pulseview
Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Design
KiCAD is an electronics design automation (EDA) suite.
On Debian-derived Linux systems, install KiCAD with the following command.
apt install kicad kicad-libraries
Optionally, install the large (over 4 GB) collection of 3D models for 3D board rendering and integration with mechanical CAD software.
apt install kicad-packages3d
Recommended Equipment
ESD-Safe Anti-Magnetic Tweezers
ESD-Safe Wire Strippers
Unlike scissor-style wire strippers, the following precision wire strippers work reliably, take up less space, and have an adjustable stop so that you can repeatedly strip the same length of insulation.
Pliers and Cutters
Solderless Breadboards
- Jameco ValuePro WBU-206-R 2390-Point Solderless Breadboard
(Jameco): $27
- Hole spacing: 0.1 inch
- Bus strips: 5
- Low static, plastic body (CMOS safe)
- Nickel-plated clips
Jumper Wires
Optical Magnification
- Paylak LP47995 Watchmakers Set of 5 Eye Loupes
(Amazon): $16
- Magnification: 2.5x, 3x, 5x, 7x, 10x.
- Andonstar V160 USB Digital Microscope with Stand
(AliExpress): $50
- Interface: USB 2.0.
- Magnification: 1x – 500x.
- Illumination: 8 SMD LEDs (dimmable).
- Sensor type: CMOS (2.0 Megapixels).
- Maximum resolution: 1600x1200.
True-RMS Auto-Ranging Digital Multimeters
You need at least two, and preferably four, multimeters. Measuring power requires concurrently measuring both voltage and current, which requires two multimeters. Calculating power supply efficiency requires four multimeters: two for measuring input power and two for measuring output power.
Since I have a ready supply of rechargeable AA and AAA batteries, I prefer multimeters that run on AA or AAA batteries. I avoid multimeters that run on 9V batteries.
- Brymen BM235
(Amazon,
EEVblog): $125
- Display count: 6000.
- Power source: 2 x AAA batteries.
- Safety:
- UL certified.
- 300V CAT IV, 600V CAT III, 1000V CAT II.
- HRC (High Rupture Capacity) fuses.
- ZOTEK ZT111
(AliExpress): $30
- Display count: 9999.
- Power source: 2 x AAA batteries.
Logic Analyzers and Oscilloscopes
I prefer logic analyzers and oscilloscopes that are supported by sigrok.
- HiLetgo 24 MHz, 8 Channel, USB Logic Analyzer
(Amazon): $12
- Maximum sampling rate: 24 MHz.
- Input channels: 8 digital.
- Input voltage: -0.5 V – 5.25 V.
- Logic low: -0.5 V – 0.8 V.
- Logic high: 2.0 V – 5.25 V.
- Input impedance: 1 MΩ, 10 pF
- SODIAL LHT00SU1 Virtual Oscilloscope Logic Analyzer (Amazon): $29
When your oscilloscope needs exceed the LHT00SU1, save up and buy a quality oscilloscope like the Rigol DS1054Z. Current USB oscilloscopes lack important features and are priced too high for their limited features.
- Rigol DS1054Z Digital Oscilloscope
(Amazon): $375
- Input channels: 4 analog.
- Input voltage: 100 Vrms CAT II, 300 Vrms CAT I.
- Input coupling: DC, AC, or GND.
- Input impedance: 1 MΩ, 15 pF
- Sampling rate:
- 1-channel: 1 GS/s.
- 2-channel: 500 MS/s.
- 3-channel: 250 MS/s.
- 4-channel: 250 MS/s.
- Protocol decoders: RS232/UART, I2C, SPI.
Power Supplies
I prefer programmable power supplies that are supported by sigrok.
- Korad KA6003P
(Amazon): $145
- Output Voltage: 0 V – 60 V.
- Output Current: 0 A – 3 A.
- Output Power: 0 W – 180 W.
- Model numbers ending with “P” are programmable via sigrok.
Soldering Stations
- Weller WES51 Analog Soldering Station (Amazon): $95