Instrument Basics: LCR Meter - Workbench Wednesdays

[@UpcycleElectronics]

Thanks James. I wish someone would do an upload like this but more focused on inductors. Specifically, inductors as they relate to basic DC-DC switching converters. It is quite easy for a hobbyist to build a MC34063, UC3842, or TL494 based switching converter now. There are even a few online calculators that greatly simplify the required math. The difficulty I've experienced is understanding the correct way to test and verify the magnetic components. For instance, I have removed the transformer from a working converter, after measuring the input/output. I then disassemble it, count the secondary turns, and rewind it to my desired turns to voltage ratio, (while cognizant of the secondary to primary current relationship). I want to learn to measure and quantify a design like this hack for a more intuitive understanding. I want to learn how to qualify magnetics of an unknown origin or with an incomplete datasheet.

[@borysandreyev9717]

Thank you very much, James! Very clear explanation. Even with my huge experience I learned something

[@daviddipasquale5479]

Good refresher. Well presented!

[@markhenderson7407]

Can someone out there help me with why the two different LCR meters that I own give me completely different inductance readings for a simple transformer 120v primary??? I admit both meters are somewhat cheap. The first one is a Velleman DVM 6243, and I just purchased a GME LCR 200 from All Electronics catalog. The Velleman shows 6.7 mH and the GME shows 13 mH (twice the amount). Could this be something where the signal frequency that each individual meter puts out has to be factored in??? Most videos I saw didn't show having to do anything like this. The clips were hooked up and up came the reading. I can't see even two cheap meters being this far off with such a common 120v winding (actually going from a center tap to end here). Any expertise advice would be appreciated.

[@bobbauvian7700]

can I ask you a question please, would a hi frequency lcr meter (5 Mhz) be of any use in a pcb repair lab? already have a hp 4263A up to 100KHz.

[@AB-yu2tj]

Thank you. Can lcr meter be helpful for a circuit repair shop.

[@rohithraoyannamaneni1088]

best video ever!

[@51nw]

i have a question that i cant find an answer too. i have a bench lcr meter and it has 4 connections for the kelvin clip test leads. the meter's test lead connections are marked Lcur, Lpot and Hcur ,Hpot. which two connections does the positive test lead connect to? i cant find which test lead goes to which two terminals anywhere.

[@sumitm8904]

Is it possible to measure the LCR of NFC tag using LCR meter?

[@richmiller9844]

Thanks so much for the great explanation!

[@worldwide1376]

Does the meter remember the calibration of a particular probe after shutdown?

[@roshanbalachandar4315]

What's the difference between DCR and R in the lcr meter ? Ive seen R increase with freq increase while DCR remains constant Is the resistance due to skip depth ? Does total z = sqrt (R^2+ DCR^2+(Xc-Xl)^2) or jus sqrt (R^2+(Xl-Xc)^2)?

[@wileyreeves791]

Great video, thank you

[@mohammedzaidkhan6197]

Very Informative. Keep up the good work sir.

[@ELECTROxigeno76.]

Exelent video 💯 tks 🎩

[@pinoylbtech1812]

can test LCR on board.?

[@giacomo1191]

What could you suggest as borderline between small and large ? 100uF is large or small ?

[@KX36]

pF is small, uF is large.

[@giacomo1191]

And if you have 10nF ?

[@KX36]

@@giacomo1191 I knew you were going to ask that... :D I'd just take measurements with a few different frequency and series/parallel settings and hope some of them are consistent.

[@richardgray8593]

@@KX36 Or look at the accuracy specs in the manual and use the range, parallel or series model, and frequency that corresponds to the best accuracy for the size cap that you are measuring.

[@johnverg6809]

Well explained, Thanks

[@nickfatsis9607]

Does anyone know what the bargraph in this LCR meter is actually measuring, it says "%" but what is that in relation to?

[@KX36]

it's a 2000 count meter, so I think it's just an analog representation of the current range with 0 being 0% and 2000 counts being 100%. analog bars on digital meters are often not so much useful as a way of taking a measurement, rather they are useful as an indicator as to whether the measurement shown is valid. Analog bars usually update a lot faster than the digital display so you might see a lot of flickering on an analog bar that would indicate the reading is noisy for want of a better word. Super cheap meters often don't update this any faster, in which case it might as well not be there. I can't tell how fast the analog bar updates on this meter from this video.

[@wafiullah-shafia]

Hi I'm a beginner in electronic I want to make small lap but I don't know name of good measurement tool's to by it. Can you help me?

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Hi, thanks. Is this a good buy? This LCR meter (for occasional video game console repair attempt) that looks like a multi-meter? Can you measure the capacitor without desoldering it with this meter: 2J` P1510 Thank you. By the way, what's the difference between and ESR meter, multi-meter and an LCR meter? God bless, Happy Easter! He is risen.

[@AgungSubekti.]

How the way i can measure supercapacitor that 1 farad or more thankyou sir

[@zoozolplexOne]

cool !!!

[@CABohol]

Nice

[@KX36]

8:35 The 100uF cap is not OL because "the capacitor doesn't work so great at high frequency". That statement makes me totally lose confidence in the presenter's knowledge. LCR meters measurement range decreases with frequency. At 100kHz the highest range for capacitance measurement listed in the manual is 200nF, so its no wonder the 100uF cap reports back as OL. I wish it were true that the reason for different test frequencies is so that you can test it at the frequency close to the one you expect to use it at in your circuit which he says a couple of times, but that's also not really true. The unfortunate fact is that if you measure at the wrong frequency it doesn't represent how the capacitance changes over frequency, it just gives you the wrong capacitance.

[@Dime_Bar]

What happens if you don't discharge the capacitor?