Is there any capacitance meter that can measure DC bias related capacity loss? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Chipguy
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 04, 2015, 03:39:43 pm
content: I am researching if there is any reasonable priced LCR meter or something similar that can measure capacity while DC biasing the capacitor.So far I have not been lucky, so I wondered if is even necessary to measure thatCollecting data from various manufacturers I first suspected that a simple table with size, voltage rating and dieelctric type could be all I need.But nope, it turned out that for instance 10µF/16V/X7R/size 1210 is not at all the same when I compared the various manufacturers.OK, so is there anything affordable on the market that can perform such measurement?

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2015, 03:45:04 pm
content: Any bridge type meter like IET Digibridge or HP 4263

author: Chipguy
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 04, 2015, 04:00:17 pm
content: Quote from: helius on October 04, 2015, 03:45:04 pmOk found a HP 4263B for $1500. DC bias range maximum voltage is 2.5V. That's not enough and the LCR meter is a bit out of the range I was looking for...

author: Chipguy
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 04, 2015, 04:45:37 pm
content: I might improvise one. That HP/Agilent one is expensive and not good enough in that regard.

author: barnacle2k
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2015, 04:45:59 pm
content: Stanford research sr715 allows up to 40v of external bias via banana plugs.Edit: here is the teardown of my unit:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/stanford-research-sr715-lcr-meter-teardown/

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2015, 05:10:48 pm
content: You can buy a cheap ($100) LCR meter from Ebay and put DC blocking caps in series with HPOT/HCUR and then apply the DC bias from a power supply through a 100k Ohm resistor.

author: Chipguy
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 04, 2015, 06:47:29 pm
content: Quote from: barnacle2k on October 04, 2015, 04:45:59 pmThat sounds pretty good, gonna see if used ones are in my price range.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2015, 06:53:24 pm
content: Or Philips/Fluke PM6306 RCL Meter, have feature to use an external DC bias up to 40 Volt, watch the last photo at bottom left.

author: Chipguy
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 04, 2015, 06:53:43 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on October 04, 2015, 05:10:48 pmI already got an LCR meter an I am thinking of a little box that lets me apply a DC bias....

author: Chipguy
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 04, 2015, 07:15:47 pm
content: I have to sink my head in shame.Just "discovered" that I already own an LCR meter capable of taking 30V DC bias in from an external source.A Digimess RLC300http://de.farnell.com/digimess/rlc300/digitalmultimeter-lcr-0-1/dp/5019801So I learned 2 important things today:1) Sometimes it's good to have a look at the backside of your instruments.2) The majority of the LCR meters only offer external DC inputs, and they don't make a big fuss about it.Actually a 3rd thing:The EEVBlog forum is awesome, thanks guys!

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 05, 2015, 05:16:37 am
content: For what it's worth at this point now that you've discovered what you have can do it, the HP 4262A LCR meter can take up to a 40V DC bias input directly through a jack on the rear panel, and with a blocking cap and some wiring to the test terminals (detailed in the operator's manual) can be fed with DC bias between 40 and 200V by that means.-Pat

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2015, 05:34:04 am
content: Kind of off topic (doesn't support DC bias, I don't think) but looks interesting:http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-10KHZ-BENCHTOP-DIGITAL-LCR-LCZ-RCL-METER-D-Q-FACTOR-/351514738372?hash=item51d7e93ec4

author: Chipguy
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 06, 2015, 05:53:05 am
content: Quote from: Electro Fan on October 06, 2015, 05:34:04 amFunny thing: The first picture in that ad shows a diffferent unit than the other ones.The BNC labels are different and the model number has vanished.

author: Chipguy
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 06, 2015, 06:17:06 am
content: Found another one, Keysight / Agilent / HP 4276A with option 001This one is rather convenient if you can remote control them via GPIB, only 1 unit to control.Without the option it still has an external voltage input.Those meters are selling rather cheap on ebay, but they are big and chunky 19" units.

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2015, 01:57:59 pm
content: The GenRad Digibridge series can do up to 60V stock. 1657,1658,1689...

author: alexkok
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 28, 2017, 12:43:12 am
content: Quote from: Chipguy on October 04, 2015, 03:39:43 pmMay be my answer is too late for you, but it may be useful for someone else.Look at Accuhard A101 USB LCR meter with one click DC bias voltage scan up to 30V and auto chart buildingaccuhard.com