Progressive Electronics 200B Inductive Amplifier Signal Tracer LM386 9V

Progressive Electronics 200B Inductive Amplifier Signal Tracer LM386 9V

The Progressive Electronics 200B is a handheld inductive amplifier — commonly called a signal tracer — used to detect and follow audio-frequency signals without making direct electrical contact. It picks up signals inductively through its needle probe and outputs the detected tone through a built-in speaker, letting a technician trace a live signal along a wire, through a cable bundle, or across PCB traces. The amplifier circuit is built around the LM386 low-voltage audio amplifier IC and is powered by a single 9V battery (NEDA 1604, not included). U.S. Patent No. D297,715.

Specifications & What's Included

• Model: Progressive Electronics 200B
• Type: Inductive Amplifier / Signal Tracer
• Amplifier IC: LM386 audio amplifier
• Power: 9V battery, NEDA Type 1604 (not included)
• Battery access: two screws, lift-off cover (instructions printed on bottom of unit)
• Probe: dual needle inductive probe tip, approximately 1.5 inches in length
• Output: built-in speaker with grille on rear of housing
• Form factor: handheld, pen/wand style
• Patent: U.S. Pat. No. D297,715
• Includes: unit only — no battery, no carrying case

Applications

Inductive amplifiers like the 200B are standard tools in telephony installation and troubleshooting, electronics repair, and cable plant maintenance. They are used in combination with a tone generator (sold separately): the generator injects an audio-frequency tone onto a wire pair or cable, and the inductive amplifier is swept along cable bundles, punch-down blocks, or PCB traces to locate and identify the toned conductor by sound — without breaking the circuit or needing a physical connection. This technique is widely used by telephone and data cabling technicians to trace pairs through walls, conduit, and large punch-down frames, and by electronics technicians for continuity tracing on populated circuit boards. Progressive Electronics has produced this style of tracer for decades and the 200B remains a recognized model among field technicians and hobbyists working with legacy telephone infrastructure, structured cabling, and low-voltage electronics.