Circuit and firmware COPYRIGHT; 1996-2007
It is ideal for RF and audio work where accurate
measurement of small values is needed.
maximum resolution of 1 nHy / .01 pF
maximum range of 150 mHy / 1.5 uF.
Capacitors must be non-polorized as the test signal is AC.
The unit features
AUTOMATIC RANGING and SELF-CALIBRATION.
It is available fully assembled and tested or as a
"solder it together and it works" kit.
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What some of my customers have had to say.
REVIEWS L/C Meter IIB inductance / capacitance meter is widely recognized for its accuracy and low price. |
Instruction Manual? click here.
I have an unconditional money back guarantee, even on kits.
ERROR ANALYSIS 5/1/2005 error analysis against standard Inductor sets.
Display:
Operating modes:
When the Lx and Cx switches are off the ZERO switch acts as a MODE SELECT.
L/C Meter IIB zeros out stray inductance and capacitance by storing their values in RAM and subtracting them from the measured values. It can zero out any value in it's range allowing longer test leads and slightly improved accuracy over L/C Meter II.
L/C Meter IIB works by measuring the shift in frequency caused by inserting an unknown into it's oscillator tank circuit. A PIC16C61 micro-controller measures the frequency before and after. It then computes the value of the unknown using a floating point math package and displays the result on a 16 character intelligent LCD display.
L/C Meter IIB will NOT measure inductors designed for 60 or 120 Hz applications such as power transformers, filter chokes or motors. The minimum test frequency is about 20KHz and these devices have enormous core losses at that frequency.
A Kelvin clip is an alligator clip with
electrically isolated jaws.
Clip the plastic at the tips even with the
copper tongs using a fingernail clipper.
Attach 4" to 6" heavy stranded wire
and banana plugs as shown.
Pick up the SMT part like a tweezer and let go,
it is held in the probe by springs.
Has the advantage that you can get your body out
of the measurement because you don't have to hold the probe.
If this seems confusing, all will become clear
when you have the clip in your hands.
 Available as a Kit $20.00 postpaid |
Other TEST ADAPTER ideas for regular and SMD parts.
Chuck, K7QO's Patented jig
quoted from
Chuck's homepage
"Here are some pictures of a piece that I designed and has been published in several places. Almost All Digitial Electronics, http://www.aade.com/, has an L/C Meter that sells for $99.95 for the kit, which just about any experimenter must have for serious work. In order not to bend leads and mess with different geometries I used PC board material to make two rectangular pieces. I then used a nibbler to make a centered channel for the binding posts to go into. Then soldered two machined socket pins for inserting component leads into. That's all there is to it. "
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE.
jon, EA2SN's version as inspired by Chuck's
design.
Here is a method you can use to measure Varactor diode capacitance
| Hi Neil, Attached are two pictures--of the meter with simple fixture using piece of PCB, and picture of the diagram. I can redo, if not suitable. There's not much to it. The key is isolation of the right-side input jack with the large capacitor. 100,000pF is much larger than the largest varactor (~500pF), thus has little effect on the measurement. An accuracy check can be done by measuring an ordinary capacitor (under 1000 pF) in the fixture. Most varactors are specified at 1 volt or 4 volts for maximum capacity, and can be measured by setting the pot for the desired voltage. The voltmeter can remain connected; it doesn't affect the test. I used a Dremel tool with a narrow carbide bit to hand-cut the several lines for mounting the trimpot and for isolating the various sections. Holes were drilled and banana plugs soldered to the PCB. I used mini-clips for holding the varactor. Steve |
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| Steve was one of my first customers several years ago so his meter has the older panel decal. |
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For those who might use the meter for long periods of time or continuously this item may be of interest.
I DO NOT SELL IT.
click
on picture
At the bottom of the page.
or it would be pretty easy to make your own from an old 9 to 12 volt wall transformer. Just remember that the buttons on the battery clip should be the reverse (male / female) of what they would be if clipped on a battery.
A paypal account is NOT required
By Phone with Visa/MasterCard
By FAX with Visa/MasterCard
By Mail Almost All Digital Electronics, 1412 Elm St. S.E., Auburn, WA 98092
L/C Meter IIB kits are also available from:
In Japan:
KEV HAM RADIO SHOP/Philip Y. Shibuya
:In Germany and Europe
- Theuberger Verlag
- Berliner Str
- 13189 Berlin, Germany
- +49-30-44 66 94 72 (8 to 12 European Standard Time)
- FAX +49-30-44 66 94 69
In Norway