TEST EQUIPMENT IDENTIFICATION

1-2 Another purpose of this chapter is to introduce you to calibration and repair procedures, and basic voltage and current measurements. You will also learn how ac bridges are used for precise measurements of resistance, capacitance, and inductance. Much of the theory of operation and practical applications of the basic types of test instruments used in electrical and electronic circuits are found in the instruction books and technical manuals that accompany various equipments. You should read and understand these books before you attempt to use any test instrument. You should also know the established safety precautions to ensure your safety and safe equipment operating procedures to protect equipment from damage. TEST EQUIPMENT IDENTIFICATION One of the first things you must learn as a maintenance technician is how to identify the various electronic equipment and components by their appropriate nomenclatures. You will find that several methods are used to identify test equipment used; this may be somewhat confusing to you at first. For example, a Tektronix Model 541A oscilloscope can also be identified as a CBTV-541A. The Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS) is used by all branches of the military to identify equipment by a system of standardized nomenclatures. Q-1. What system is currently used by all branches of the military to identify test equipment? ELECTRONIC TEST EQUIPMENT CLASSIFICATION The Electronic Test Equipment Classification Board was established in 1973 to control the increased use of undesirable electronic test equipment (ETE) in fleet and shore activities. The board classifies electronic test equipments as GENERAL PURPOSE (GPETE) or SPECIAL PURPOSE (SPETE) and assigns responsibility for their management. Items classified as general purpose are managed by the Space and Warfare Systems Command (SPAWARSYSCOM). Items classified as special purpose are managed by the individual systems command that generates the requirement. GPETE is test equipment that has the capability, without modification, to generate, modify, or measure a range of parameters of electronic functions required to test two or more equipments or systems of basically different design. Special-purpose electronic test equipment (SPETE) is specifically designed to generate, modify, or measure a range of parameters of electronic functions of a specific or peculiar nature required to test a single system or equipment. These special test equipments are procured by the systems command that has the responsibility for the system/equipment requiring the SPETE for maintenance. Q-2. Name the two classes of test equipment. Q-3. What test equipment is designed to generate, modify, or measure a range of parameters of electronic functions of a specific nature required to test a single system or equipment? Until the ETE classification board was established, the uncontrolled increase in use of nonstandard GPETE had resulted in loss of inventory control and increased support costs. NESEA has the responsibility for evaluating requests to purchase nonstandard GPETE and for recommending its approval or disapproval to NAVSEA. NAVSEA will then forward its final decision to the originating command for such requests.