Improving logic probe usage: Which accessory enhances troubleshooting by simultaneously showing logic states on many IC pins while you selectively probe signals?

Introduction / Context:
While a logic probe helps check a single node at a time, troubleshooting often benefits from a broader view of multiple related nodes (e.g., all pins on a counter or latch). An accessory that attaches to an IC and displays the logic state of many pins in parallel can dramatically speed diagnosis.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Standard DIP/SOIC logic families (TTL/CMOS) are being tested.
• Goal: correlate pin states without moving the probe for each pin.
• Accessory should be non-invasive and easy to clip on/off.
• Budget/bench-top context favors handheld tools.

Concept / Approach:
A logic clip is designed to clamp over an IC package and present each pin’s logic state via LEDs or indicators. While a logic probe remains useful for detailed node-by-node inspection, the clip offers an overview—revealing stuck pins, floating inputs, or unexpected toggling patterns. Frequency counters and oscilloscopes are powerful but serve different purposes; current tracers locate opens/shorts based on current flow, not logic state.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Diagnose a stuck bus line: the logic clip quickly shows which lines are permanently HIGH/LOW; then the probe or scope can investigate causes like shorted outputs or missing enables.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:
Misaligning the clip across pins; using an incompatible clip for the package; forgetting ground reference; drawing conclusions without correlating with the circuit’s truth table.

Final Answer:
logic clip