Every listing carries one
Condition grading scale
Every part in the catalog carries one of these 6 grades. Grade 1 is the best. The grade says two things: what state the part is in, and what was actually put on the bench before it was listed. Where a part was measured, the figure is on its listing.
New old stock means the part was made, stocked and never used. Pulled means it came out of equipment. Both are sold here, and the difference is on the label, never buried in a description.
At a glance
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Grade 1, New old stock, sealed | NOS sealedNot tested, because opening the pack ends the seal. We will sample test before shipping if you ask. |
| Grade 2, New old stock, open stock | NOS open stockNot individually tested. Markings, leads and storage are checked by hand before listing. |
| Grade 3, New old stock, tested | NOS testedTested to its basic function, for example gain, capacitance, forward voltage or continuity. The measured figure is on the listing where we have it. |
| Grade 4, Pulled, tested | Pull testedTested to its basic function after removal. The measured figure is on the listing where we have it. |
| Grade 5, Pulled, untested | Pull untestedNot tested. Identification is by package marking only. |
| Grade 6, Salvage | SalvageNot tested and not returnable on function. |
Grade 1: New old stock, sealed
Condition: New old stock, sealedNever used and never opened. Still in the factory tube, tray, reel or bag it shipped in, with the original date code intact.
Testing. Not tested, because opening the pack ends the seal. We will sample test before shipping if you ask.
Grade 2: New old stock, open stock
Condition: New old stock, open stockNever used. The original pack has been opened, or the quantity was split off a full reel or tube. Leads are original and unclipped.
Testing. Not individually tested. Markings, leads and storage are checked by hand before listing.
Grade 3: New old stock, tested
Condition: New old stock, testedNever used, and every unit in this lot went across the bench before listing. The safest choice when the part has to work the first time.
Testing. Tested to its basic function, for example gain, capacitance, forward voltage or continuity. The measured figure is on the listing where we have it.
Grade 4: Pulled, tested
Condition: Pulled, testedDesoldered from working equipment and then tested. Leads are shortened and may be tinned, so plan for the shorter lead length.
Testing. Tested to its basic function after removal. The measured figure is on the listing where we have it.
Grade 5: Pulled, untested
Condition: Pulled, untestedDesoldered from equipment and not tested. Priced as a gamble, so buy it that way. Leads are shortened.
Testing. Not tested. Identification is by package marking only.
Grade 6: Salvage
Condition: SalvageSold for parts, practice, the case or the hardware. There is known damage, or no way to verify it works.
Testing. Not tested and not returnable on function.
If a part is not what the grade said
Send the part number, the stock number from the listing, and a photo of what arrived. If it does not match its grade, it goes back at our cost. A salvage grade part is the exception: it is sold for parts, so it is not returnable on function.