Best DMM and LCR for small low voltage circuits ie cell phones and tablets - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: BirdManPhil
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2024, 02:48:08 am
content: Ive been doing a ton of board work on cel phones and tablets over the past couple years and I've gotten by with my cheap $30 Chinese dmm, and my more expensive 5.5 digit Hantek bench dmm.Bith meters are very sluggish in continuity (beep) mode. Neither Meter has any lcr functions but can guestimate capacitance roughly.I am looking to up my game alot this summer by obtaining a high quality accurate dmm and also an lcr meter.I'd like a dmm or lcr meter that can accurately measure the teeny tiny caps on iphone logic boards for example, as well as provide almost immediate audible alerts when using beep mode. I can't stand how long i have to wait for my meters to register continuity.Separate continuity/ohm/diode modes are a must.High voltage and high current abilities aren't necessary at all. I'm more concerned with the accuracy of low voltage, low resistance and low capacitance measurements as well as responsiveness.Data logging and or pc interface is also nice but not 100% necessaryI am looking at a few different fluke handheld dmms as well as a few lcr meters.I might grab 2 lcr meters, the shannon st42 tweezers and a de-5000Any advice or dmm recommendations would be appreciated tyvm.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2024, 02:56:08 am
content: Quote from: BirdManPhil on May 20, 2024, 02:48:08 amWelcome to the forum.IMO you need skip any thoughts of DMM's for fine SMD work and get proper SMD smart tweezers that provide very fast readings and a pile of features.I highly recommend these from member Shannon:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/design-a-new-precision-lcr-tweezers/AliExpress listing:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004239869204.html?

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2024, 03:21:37 am
content: +1 for the Shannon ST42 tweezers. They're fantastic. If you want something truly better, you'll need to spend at least 10 times as much on a bench meter. If budget isn't an issue, than get yourself the Shannon tweezers, and a Sourcetronic ST2830 or ST2832. You can get tweezers that attach to the LCR bench meters, but even that attachment will cost as much as the Shannon tweezers if you don't buy generic.

author: indman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2024, 06:34:37 am
content: Quote from: BirdManPhil on May 20, 2024, 02:48:08 amPay attention to this device - it will good replace all the other lcr meters you have listed beforehttps://www.amazon.com/stores/LCR-Reader/LCR-Reader/page/BBF0E19C-D5B7-4E73-AF3A-DFC2CFC8923C

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 20, 2024, 08:40:47 am
content: Quote from: BirdManPhil on May 20, 2024, 02:48:08 amWhatever you get, get some super fine precision meter leads like these:https://www.amazon.com/POMONA-6342-TEST-PROBE-SET/dp/B0026GV3A2

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2024, 08:40:53 pm
content: Pomona 6342 - Small size is good, but not sure I like these lightly sprung probe tips -

author: shapirus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2024, 10:20:59 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on May 20, 2024, 02:56:08 amBut a DMM is still needed for continuity testing and voltage measurements. LCR tweezers won't do it.Speaking of that, there's been a ton of threads and posts specifically regarding the continuity buzzer response speed. Brymens (maybe not all) are good. Same with Flukes. At least some Uni-T meters are also very fast in that.Another important parameter to watch out for is autoranging speed. Slow autoranging is just as annoying as slow continuity response.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2024, 11:25:12 pm
content: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/multimeter-with-continuity-test-buzzer-that-responds-immediately/https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cXzYpIoyVm9QJUju4KXqM22CEQZP3_xwWvDyeVwxTy4/edit#gid=570637604https://lygte-info.dk/info/DMMReviews.html(you have to click on each meter review then search for continuity time measured)Brymen 829 (<5ms) should be good? But there are many others.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2024, 11:50:43 pm
content: Quote from: shapirus on May 23, 2024, 10:20:59 pmYeah well my now retired ST3 smart tweezers had a graphing mode capable of 8V but not sure what the latest ST* versions offer.Never used it as any slipup would possibly wreck a very valuable tool that even 15 yrs ago cost more than I've spent on all DMM's since.QuoteWRT the great ST42, a buddy tried it out against his $ $ Agilent LCR meter the other day and was shocked at the measurement speed and precision.Immediately said to get one for him.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 24, 2024, 12:28:45 am
content: Quote from: armandine2 on May 23, 2024, 08:40:53 pmYeah, they could be firmer.

author: shapirus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2024, 07:57:31 am
content: Quote from: tautech on May 23, 2024, 11:50:43 pmYeah, I meant DMMs in that context. I have the ST42 myself. Great tool, and yes, autoranging is very fast indeed.

author: BirdManPhil
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2024, 10:28:28 pm
content: Can I buy these in the US I can't use aliexpres they force delivery with speedx who steals packages

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2024, 10:43:01 pm
content: Quote from: BirdManPhil on May 24, 2024, 10:28:28 pmST42 ?Jump into the ST42 thread and ask Shannon if he has a US reseller:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/design-a-new-precision-lcr-tweezers/

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2024, 10:52:47 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on May 24, 2024, 12:28:45 amI like ProbeMaster fine tip probes miles better than that Pomona..For Pomona I got tip kit that includes solid needles too.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2024, 11:21:32 pm
content: Quote from: BirdManPhil on May 24, 2024, 10:28:28 pmClick on the delivery options on the right side.. They give you three options, two are aliexpress.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 25, 2024, 01:15:20 pm
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on May 24, 2024, 10:52:47 pmInstead of Pomona 6342, I have bought a few sets of Pomona 6275. These have the solid stainless tips (quite sharp) instead of the gold pogo spring tips.I still have to occasionally squeeze the sockets in the handpieces a touch to tighten them up, but I find the smaller probes more convenient.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2024, 02:03:56 pm
content: Quote from: Kean on May 25, 2024, 01:15:20 pmThat is just a version of bundled combination of probes/tips. I have bought Probes 6342 and tip kit 6354.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 25, 2024, 02:11:28 pm
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on May 25, 2024, 02:03:56 pmIndeed, I should have mentioned the 6354 tip kit. I bought one years ago, but found the only tips I continued to use from it were the solid stainless P/N 6213.It costs almost as much as a new probe set, so not great value unless you will use more than one type or really want the "fancy" multi-point pogo-pins (aka P75-Q1/Q2 I think).