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The Global Specialties PB-503A is a self-contained circuit design trainer that combines a solderless breadboard work surface with the lab resources most often needed to bring an electronics experiment to life: a triple-output DC power supply, a digital function generator, logic switches and indicators, debounced pulsers, uncommitted potentiometers, BNC connectors, and an audio speaker. The datasheet positions the PB-503A as a robust platform suitable for all levels of electronics instruction and design, intended to give students hands-on breadboarding experience while remaining capable enough for experienced designers working on demanding projects.
The applications listed on the datasheet span the full range of analog, digital, and microprocessor circuit work the trainer is designed to support. Opto-device circuits, clocks, multivibrators, oscillator circuits, timers, and function generator circuits exercise the analog and timing resources. Logic circuits, gates, counters, flip-flops, analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters, and medium-scale integration circuits exercise the digital section. Phase lock loops and operational amplifier work draw on the combined analog and digital capabilities of the platform.
Global Specialties has been a long-established name in solderless breadboarding and electronics training equipment. The PB-503A datasheet carries a 2021 copyright notice from Cal Test Electronics, Inc., reflecting the brand's current corporate ownership and shared distribution with the broader Cal Test test-accessory line.
| Specification | PB-503A |
|---|---|
| AC Line Input | 115 VAC @ 60 Hz or 230 VAC @ 50 Hz (switchable) |
| Power Supplies | Fixed DC: +5 VDC 1.0 A max. (current limited); Ripple <5 mV. Variable + DC: +1.3 VDC ±0.05 V @ 150 mA to +15 VDC @ 500 mA, Ripple < 5 mV. Variable - DC: -1.3 VDC ±0.05 V @ 150 mA to -15 VDC @ 500 mA, Ripple < 5 mV |
| Binding Posts | 4: Ground, +5 VDC, Variable ±VDC Power Supply Outputs |
| Pulsers | 2 Pushbutton-operated, open-collector output pulsers. Each with 1 normally-open, 1 normally closed output. Each output sinks up to 250 mA |
| Digital Function Generator | Frequency Range: 0.1 Hz to 100 kHz, two ranges. Output Voltage: 0 to +10Vp-p into 600 Ω Load (20 Vp-p in open circuit), short circuit protected. Output Impedance: 600 Ω except TTL. Output waveforms: Sine, Square, Triangle & TTL. Sine Wave Distortion: <3% @ 1 kHz Typical. TTL Pulse: Rise & fall time: <25 ns, drive 100 TTL. Square Wave: Rise and fall times <0.5 μs |
| Logic Switches | 8 Logic Switches select Logic High and Logic Low. Logic Low Level: Ground. Logic High Level: Switchable between +5 V and the variable positive power supply |
| Switches | 2 Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT) - uncommitted |
| Logic Indicators | LEDs: 16 LEDs; 8 red to indicate logic high and 8 green to indicate logic low. Logic High Threshold: 2.2 V (nominal) in TTL/+5 V mode, 70% (nominal) of selected operating voltage in CMOS mode. Logic Low Threshold: 0.8 V (nominal) in TTL/+5 V mode, 30% (nominal) of selected operating voltage in CMOS mode |
| Connectors | 2 BNC - uncommitted |
| Potentiometers | 2: 1 kΩ and 10 kΩ - uncommitted |
| Speaker | 8 Ω, 0.25 W - uncommitted |
| Breadboards | Removable plexiglas socket plate (PB-3) with 2,520 tie-points with 200 additional bus strip tie-points internally connected to power supply outputs and ground |
| Weight | 7 lbs (3.2 kg) |
| Dimensions | 6.5 x 12.75 x 10 in (16.5 x 32.4 x 25.4 cm) (H x W x D) |
| Warranty | 3 Years |
Please review the Manufacturer's Data Sheet to verify published specifications. Feedback on this webpage is always welcome — please reach out to your Test Architect at any time for questions or concerns. Thank you, we truly appreciate you being our customer.
Model No
Global
Condition
New
Manufacturer
Global Specialties
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