Since its release in 2013, LCR-Reader has become a popular test and debugging tool for electronics development. It was important that the tool was offered at half price than its predecessor Smart Tweezers by reducing functionality and simplifying the operation of the device.
On the contrary, LCR-Reader MP (Multi Purpose) offers many new features covering various aspects of electronic measurement and testing. It offers all features previously available on the original Smart Tweezers LCR-meter ST-1 and goes beyond that with AC/DC voltage measurement, oscilloscope mode, frequency measurement, pulse counting, signal generation, etc. Most importantly it offers 100 kHz test frequency that allows 1 nH resolution for inductance and 0.01 pF for capacitance measurements.
Oscilloscope mode allows to analyze voltage waveforms with frequencies up to 100 kHz on active circuit board making LCR-Reader MP an indispensible tool for PCB debugging. The use of recently released LCR-Reader Probe Connector makes the device even more powerful by allowing to check waveforms at various nodes on the board quickly and easily.
LCR-Reader MP is well-suited for measurement of very large capacitances up to 600 mF. The electrolytic capacitors are measured at 100 Hertz with ESR measured at 100 kHz according to the regular electrolytic capacitor test conditions. For Large Capacitance mode, test frequency is reduced to 25 Hertz thus allowing to evaluate very large capacitances with a reasonable accuracy. A wide range of test frequencies available in LCR-Reader MP allow to adjust it for optimal measurement conditions. Available frequencies are: 25, 100, 120 Hz, 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75, and 100 kHz.
A summary of features is as follows:
Automatic LCR, ESR and Diode/LED measurement
Basic accuracy better than 0.1%
AC/DC voltage measurement up to 15 V
Oscilloscope Transient Voltage display for up to 100 kHz
Measurement of Frequency, Pulse period, Duty Cycle up to 400 kHz
Signal Generator: Sine, Rectangle, Triangle pulse shapes up to 100 kHz
Li-Ion Battery, USB Charger
Diode/LED and Continuity test
Two Test Signal levels, Automatic Test Signal Reduction to 0.1 V for in-circuit measurement
Easy Short/Open Calibration, Offset Removal
Handling of components as small as 0201 size (about 0.3 mm)
Display of active and reactive impedance components
Just 2 Oz (60 grams) weight
Drawbacks of the new model: maximum test signal available is 0.65 Vrms, that is not enough for reliable evaluation of some ceramic capacitors resulting in a lower than actual capacitance values. Another issue is a rather high test signal source resistance of 1 kOhm.
Physically, the new device is larger and twice as heavy of the original LCR-Reader and the latest model of Smart Tweezers ST-5S, but the larger size allows for a bigger screen with better readability for results and icons.
The new LCR-Reader MP will be available for sale after September 1, 2017 with an introductory offer of US$388.99 each. Pre-orders are available and will be shipped as soon as the devices become available.
Siborg also offers other tweezer-like tools including Smart Tweezers Bluetooth and accessories.
Siborg Systems Inc.
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