LC meter with measurement frequency 1-10MHz - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: AlexRG
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2025, 11:13:43 am
content: Simple multimeters that can measure capacitance - ESR, as well as inductance - quality factor, take measurements at a frequency of 10-100 kHz. Maybe there are already simple and affordable multimeters that could measure the ESR of capacitors and the quality factor (D) of chokes at a frequency of 1-10 MHz?

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2025, 11:18:31 am
content: The DVMs from china for $20 will measure at 1 kHz.See the many app notes on RLC measurentns , and high frequency impedance ...Needs a HP/GenRad/Wayne Kerr Yokogawa RLC meter or analyzer for 1-10 MHz. lab instruments usually $500-20,000.jon

author: pdenisowski
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2025, 10:44:29 pm
content: The R&S LCX goes up to 10 MHz and can measure quality factor (D or Q)https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/products/test-and-measurement/rs-essentials-meters-and-analyzers/rs-lcx-lcr-meter_63493-1172288.htmlI made a video on it as wellAs jonpaul stated, LCR meters that can go that high in frequency are significantly more expensive than lower frequency meters

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2025, 10:51:36 pm
content: Look for old-fashioned bridges on eBay or similar.For that frequency range, I have two Wayne-Kerr passive bridges: a B601 for 15 kHz to 5 MHz, and a B801A for 1 to 100 MHz.Since they are passive with sealed reference components, they still work, but you need an external source (RF generator or synthesizer) and detector (a CRO works).

author: liamwonka
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 27, 2025, 07:40:24 am
content: You can consider investing in a NanoVNA (~$50-$200), which can measure S-parameters and derive ESR and Q at 1-10 MHz.

author: LooseJunkHater
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2025, 05:23:55 pm
content: Quote from: liamwonka on June 27, 2025, 07:40:24 amThis is the route I ended up going personally, getting a NanoVNA (SAA2 tinyVNA) with a range of 50KHz-3GHz. Spent a lot of time looking into measuring ESR + Qfactor using oscilloscopes, AWG, multimeters, custom circuits, and even expensive LCR meters, but none made sense to me, were overly complicated, or were not as simplistic as a NanoVNA.Many NanoVNA's can do a minimum frequency of 50KHz which can be quite high for some components (but I have seen a few that can do 10KHz minimum), but is otherwise great for measuring ESR at higher frequencies (100KHz, 1MHz) as well as a components self resonant frequency. Additionally as a persons knowledge grows, the NanoVNA's capabilities allow you to continue to expand your knowledge (ex. getting into RF applications).

author: radiolistener
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2025, 06:15:31 pm
content: Quote from: LooseJunkHater on July 10, 2025, 05:23:55 pmYou can use firmware that supports measurement range from 10 kHz.But some low quality nanovna can have low dynamic range at that frequency.

author: Songhua
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2025, 06:47:36 pm
content: I have a NanoVNA-F V3 which can measure frequency ranging from 1MHz to 6.3GHz. Enough for small applications and it has something similar to LCR meter. The accuracy is not high but the frequency range is amazing. Yet a handheld LCR meter is necessary.

author: u666sa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2025, 10:55:52 pm
content: Quote from: AlexRG on June 15, 2025, 11:13:43 amDevice is called LineVNA 64 from Zeenko Tech, measures up to 6.4 GHz and up to 9 GHz on harmonics with lower accuracy.NanoVNA version differences --https://mysku.club/blog/misc/99119.html