Decade Boxes
Decade boxes are versatile precision test instruments designed to replicate exact electrical values. Whether you need a resistance decade box, capacitance decade box, or inductance decade box, these devices allow for quick and easy substitution of precise component values into circuits. Their configurability to nearly any desired resistance, capacitance, or inductance makes them invaluable for optimising circuit operation. As a laboratory decade box or for field use, they are ideal for verifying test equipment accuracy, troubleshooting, and serving as a resistance substitution box in various electrical and electronic applications. Ideal for both laboratory and field use, decade boxes serve as essential tools for engineers, technicians, and educators working with electrical and electronic systems.
How Do Decade Boxes Work?
Decade boxes are passive devices that consist of switches and either a series of resistors, capacitors, or inductors of different values arranged to form "decades." Decades are groups of components scaled in factors of ten.
For example, a resistance decade box may include:
- First decade: 5-ohm, 2-ohm, and two 1-ohm resistors
- Second decade: 50-ohm, 20-ohm, and two 10-ohm resistors
- Third decade: 500-ohm, 200-ohm, and two 100-ohm resistors
By selecting combinations of these switches, this decade box can be set to any resistance value between 1-ohm to 999-ohms in 1-ohm increments. Some advanced decade boxes may have six or more decades to allow for very wide ranges and highly precise values.
Decade boxes are characterised by their range, maximum resolution, and accuracy. Using a decade box for testing consists of setting the box to the desired value and connecting the input device, such as a transmitter, controller, or multimeter. The display value of the input device should match the set value of the decade box.
Types of Decade Boxes
Decade boxes are specialised test instruments that provide precise electrical values for testing and calibration, categorised by the component they simulate.
Resistance Decade Boxes
A resistance box, or resistance decade box, is a precision instrument offering adjustable resistance values via rotary or toggle switches. It allows users to quickly set desired resistances for circuit testing, calibration, or troubleshooting. Some models provide high-precision resistance decade boxes or high-accuracy decade box capabilities for demanding applications.
Capacitance Decade Boxes
Capacitance decade boxes offer adjustable capacitance values by utilising switchable capacitors. These are invaluable for testing circuits sensitive to capacitance changes, such as filters, oscillators, and timing circuits, commonly found in a laboratory decade box setting.
Inductance Decade Boxes
Inductance decade boxes offer adjustable inductance values through precisely selected inductors. They are useful for testing and prototyping circuits relying on specific inductance, like resonant circuits, filters, and transformers, and are essential for certain specialised electronic and RF applications.
Industrial Applications of Decade Boxes
Decade boxes are indispensable tools across various industrial and educational sectors, offering precision and flexibility for electrical testing and development.
Calibration of Measurement Instruments
Decade boxes are frequently used to calibrate and verify the accuracy of various measurement instruments, such as oscilloscopes, and process calibrators. By providing highly precise and known resistance, capacitance, or inductance values, they ensure other instruments are functioning correctly in both field and laboratory settings.resistance, capacitance, or inductance values, they ensure other instruments are functioning correctly in both field and laboratory settings.
Circuit Design and Prototyping
For engineers and designers, decade boxes are invaluable during circuit design and prototyping. They allow for rapid substitution of component values, enabling quick experimentation to find optimal resistance, capacitance, or inductance without constantly soldering and desoldering physical components. This significantly streamlines the development process.
Educational and Training Laboratories
In educational establishments and training laboratories, decade boxes serve as fundamental teaching aids. They help students understand the principles of electricity and electronics by allowing them to easily manipulate and observe the effects of varying resistance, capacitance, or inductance in a circuit.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Decade boxes are crucial for maintenance and troubleshooting tasks in electrical systems. Technicians can use them to simulate specific fault conditions or replace a suspect component, quickly diagnosing issues and verifying repairs in the field or workshop.
Simulation of Sensor Outputs
Beyond standard component substitution, decade boxes can effectively simulate sensor outputs for testing control systems. By providing precise, variable resistance, capacitance, or inductance, they allow engineers to test how a system responds to different sensor readings without needing the actual sensor or its real-world conditions.
Delivery Information
As a trusted supplier and distributor of decade boxes in Singapore, RS supports engineers and technicians with quality instruments from leading brands like Chauvin Arnoux, Cropico, and Time Electronics. We also offer essential testing equipment, including bench power supplies, to provide complete measurement solutions. Enjoy a seamless ordering experience and fast delivery within Singapore, with most online orders shipping the next working day (Terms & Conditions apply). For more details on our delivery services and charges, please visit our Delivery Information page
