Who finds their LCR Meter indispensable - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Cicada
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2021, 07:19:44 pm
content: HiI would like to hear why you find your LCR meter indispensable. I have never had a need for it. I would like to know what I am missing or what part of electronics development I have not encounter because I never use LCR meters.Who will use a meter like this?I see that for this meterhttps://www.keysight.com/zz/en/product/E4980A/precision-lcr-meter-20-hz-2-mhz.htmlPrimary Applications = LCR components, Materials measurement, SemiconductorsI suppose the RF guys can find this type of meter very handy.https://www.keysight.com/zz/en/assets/7018-03342/brochures/5990-9911.pdfBut beyond what is mentioned above where would one use an LCR meter. Maybe if you do R&D on switch mode PSUs.I would like to be educated by your experience.Cicada

author: esepecesito
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2021, 07:23:56 pm
content: Like everything, for hobby never needed. In the work, measuring solenoid valves in one day, could have not made without.

author: TimNJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2021, 09:57:39 pm
content: 1. Simple sanity checks, especially for unmarked surface mount components...."Hmm, my circuit is not working how I thought it might. Did I use the correct value of 1000pF, or did I accidentally put in 100pF instead?"2. Anything involving custom magnetics, i.e. power electronics (transformers, inductors). If you are prototyping custom magnetics, use the LCR meter to dial in the correct value (maybe as you are adding turns to a toroid or as you file away material from the center leg of a ferrite core.)3. Binning/sorting of components. Suppose you have a critical timing circuit which needs an exact capacitance value to set the frequency. You may want to go through 10-50 parts until you find the closest one.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2021, 10:03:27 pm
content: I have a large collection of impedance bridges, but I rely on my modern DE-5000 for these purposes.Besides the uses posted by TimNJ, I would add4. Matching capacitors, either to improve CMRR on an AC-coupled differential amplifier or to ensure that the RIAA equalization is the same on both channels of a stereo system.5. Measuring the loss of film capacitors, to discriminate between polypropylene (very high Q) and polyester/Mylar (mediocre Q) if the component is unmarked or untrusted.

author: dietert1
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2021, 10:25:47 pm
content: For repairs. For example if a crystal oscillator does not start, you need to check its capacitors.Before using electrolytic capacitors from the drawer i always check their ESR. Some old parts in between..And sometimes measuring losses can help to select the right part, e.g. when replacing old RIFA capacitors (preventive maintenance). A good film cap will display D=0.000 - or maybe a 1 in the last digit.Yes, and matching capacitors.Regards, Dieter

author: bob91343
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2021, 01:20:59 am
content: I measure parts frequently with my several LCR meters. I have two GR bridges, a cute little Chinese-test-everything gadget, two Q meters, an RX meter, and two nanoVNAs. Oh yes also the EICO 950B. But I don't use the EICO; it's going to a swap meet next week.

author: Cicada
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2021, 08:21:17 pm
content: Thanks for all the repliesI liked these ones.Measuring the loss of film capacitors, to discriminate between polypropylene (very high Q) and polyester/Mylar (mediocre Q) if the component is unmarked or untrusted.Anything involving custom magnetics, i.e. power electronics (transformers, inductors). If you are prototyping custom magnetics, use the LCR meter to dial in the correct value (maybe as you are adding turns to a toroid or as you file away material from the center leg of a ferrite core.)Cicada

author: Conrad Hoffman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2021, 12:03:42 am
content: I have a bunch. I measure most every cap I put in a build (hobbyist/prototype) and certainly any time I wind a coil for anything. Sometimes I measure material properties so I know the effect of supporting a circuit or component. The only thing I almost never measure with an LCR meter is R. Actually, my GR1608 is very good at low resistances, sub-ohm. Advertised as a CGRL meter, it's just an LCR meter that can also do G and has the letters mixed up! Or is LCR mixed up?