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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.
