FADOS 9F1 vs 7F1: Which Circuit Board Tester Is…

Two FADOS Models, Different Missions

CBT Electronic’s FADOS lineup includes two main testers: the FADOS 9F1 (9 Functions in 1) and the FADOS 7F1 (7 Functions in 1). Both use the same VI curve tracing principle and FADOS analysis software, but they target different use cases.

The short version: 9F1 is for labs and production floors, 7F1 is for field service and budget-conscious workshops.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Feature	FADOS 7F1	FADOS 9F1
VI Curve Tracing	✓ Dual-channel	✓ Dual-channel
ADC/DAC Resolution	12-bit	12-bit
Oscilloscope	✓ Built-in	✓ Built-in
Equivalent Circuit Display	✓	✓
Reference Memory Database	✓	✓
Faulty Points Report	✓	✓
FADOS MUX Support	✓	✓
Built-in Power Supply	✗	✓ 0–40V, 0–2A programmable
IR Temperature Sensor	✗	✓ Non-contact thermal
Powered Board Testing	✗ (external PSU needed)	✓ Built-in
Best For	Field service, depot repair, education	R&D labs, production QC, complex diagnostics

The Two Extra Functions That Matter

The 9F1’s two additional functions, the programmable power supply and IR temperature sensor, aren’t just nice-to-haves. They enable a diagnostic workflow that can cut troubleshooting time by 5–10x for certain fault types:

1. Programmable DC Power Supply

The built-in power supply (0–40V adjustable in 100 mV steps, up to 2A) lets you power the board under test and observe how current draw changes as voltage ramps up. A board drawing excessive current at a specific voltage point tells you exactly which power rail has a fault and how much current the faulty component is drawing.

Without this feature (on the 7F1), you need a separate bench power supply, which means additional equipment, cables, and setup time.

2. Non-Contact IR Temperature Sensor

After briefly powering a faulty board, components drawing excessive current heat up. The 9F1’s IR sensor detects these hot spots without touching the board, point, scan, and the software highlights the overheating component.

This technique is particularly effective for finding shorted bypass capacitors, failed voltage regulators, and partially shorted semiconductor junctions that may not show clear V-I curve deviations in power-off testing.

When to Choose the 7F1

The FADOS 7F1 is the right choice when:

Field service: compact, portable, no internal power supply to add weight
Budget: lower cost of entry while retaining all core VI testing capabilities
Education: teaching VI curve tracing fundamentals in training labs
Simple repairs: boards where power-off VI comparison is sufficient
Multi-site deployment: equipping multiple technicians at lower cost per unit

When to Choose the 9F1

The FADOS 9F1 is the right choice when:

Complex diagnostics: multi-layer boards with subtle faults
Production QC: incoming inspection and outgoing quality verification
R&D labs: failure analysis and root cause investigation
High-value repairs: automotive ECUs, medical devices, aerospace boards
Time pressure: the power supply + IR combo dramatically speeds up difficult faults

The FADOS MUX: Production-Scale Testing

Both the 7F1 and 9F1 support the FADOS MUX multiplexer module, which automates VI curve testing across 96 test points. Connect the MUX to either FADOS unit and run automated pass/fail testing on production boards, ideal for incoming inspection, end-of-line testing, and batch verification.

Buy FADOS in India

GSAS Micro Systems is India’s authorized CBT Electronic partner. All FADOS units are assembled and tested at our Bangalore facility (ODM). We provide:

Demo units available at 7 offices across India
On-site training: installation, software setup, and operator training
INR invoicing with GST-compliant documentation
Local service and spares: repair, calibration, and spare parts from India

Request a quote → · Book a demo →