LCR meter reccomendations, mostly for measuring ESR on e-caps

[RiRaRi]

Hello. I am looking for good quality LCR which can measure at different freq. I need it mostly for measuring caps. I was looking at popular DE DER5000 and more expensive BK 880. Which LCR do you use for this and which one is good quality option for this purpose?

[tautech]

Used smart tweezers only for years and recently got a pair of these:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/design-a-new-precision-lcr-tweezers/

Top product at a good price and don't think you can't use SMD tweezers on thru hole parts....have for many years.

[sonpul]

Which LCR do you use for this and which one is good quality option for this purpose?

I use DE DER5000 and am happy with it. And I don't need anything else.
There is only one minus. DER DE5000 does not remember the selected mode when turned on. When turned on, the AUTO mode is set in which he himself determines the capacitor, inductance or resistor, frequency 1kHz, measurement D. But I'm used to it.
The second disadvantage is the possible need to purchase additional tweezers or crocodiles to obtain a terminal block in order to independently manufacture a Kelvin four-wire connection.
But in any case, I am very pleased with the device and glad that I did not buy something from another brand.

Be careful when choosing. Many LCR meters do not have a Kelvin connection, although they appear to have. In fact, inside the flat contact is not divided into isolated + - halves.

[kripton2035]

Yes having the possibility to use kelvin clips is really important with an lcr meter, especially if you're measuring small values.
I have a DEREE DE5000 for some years now and very happy with it.
I also have a mastech ms8911 tweezers and they are ok for simple ( and not small values) measurments, but the de5000 is better.
if you buy the de5000, buy it with all possible probes, it will be difficult and more expensive to get them afterwards

[YulyPH]

I have the uni-t UT622C. Got it for the 0.1V test level for in circuit measurements.
Every time I use it I'm impressed by the ohmic measurements (even with gold plated probes contact pressure matters).
Managed to trace the path of a low value inductor, something that is just impossible with a normal multimeter.
I replaced the clamps with the tips of multimeter probes for pcb measurements. Also got some hock adapters for probe tips to hold component leads.

[rhb]

I have a Peak ESR70, LCR45, BSIDE ESR02 Pro, a Tenma ??? for motor capacitors in my HVAC toolbox,  DE5000, HP 4284A and 4285A all of which measure ESR very well out of circuit. 

In circuit the *ONLY* thing I have found reliable is an EDS-88A. Informal comparison puts the BSIDE as roughly equal to the non-HP LCR meters.  At the price, functionality and  build quality I think it foolish not to have a BSIDE.  I also think it foolish not to have the cheapest model of Harbor Freight 3.5 digit, yellow or red.  I have lots of them all over the place, the battery drawer, many toolboxes including my electrical toolbox which also has a clamp  on ammeter.  I use whatever is easiest for the task at hand.

Reg

[Arts]

I use the DE DER5000 for most ESR & capacitance measurements. For leakage I use either my Sencore LC53 or Heathkit IT-11/IT-28. 

[Veteran68]

I have the Hantek 1833C and really like it so far. However there's been some question as to whether the guard terminal is active, as Kerry Wong pointed out in a recent video. It does seem to be connected internally at the opamp, and he recently noted that it could be wired to ground instead of signal and would still work. But for my purposes to this point it has worked fine. If I was in the market for another in the price range, I'd probably go for one of the Uni-T UT622 series, or else the old standby DER5000.

[pdenisowski]

if you buy the de5000, buy it with all possible probes, it will be difficult and more expensive to get them afterwards

And the AC adapter and the hard case as well

[kripton2035]

if you buy the de5000, buy it with all possible probes, it will be difficult and more expensive to get them afterwards

And the AC adapter and the hard case as well

not so sure about the AC adapter... the battery I put in years ago are still alive ...

[Martin72]

Hello. I am looking for good quality LCR which can measure at different freq. I need it mostly for measuring caps. I was looking at popular DE DER5000 and more expensive BK 880. Which LCR do you use for this and which one is good quality option for this purpose?

For general purposes I do not know a better meter than the DE5000 in it´s pricerange.
But for

mostly for measuring ESR on e-caps

it is not uninteresting to know what frequencies you have in mind for ESR measuring.
Because like almost all "cheap" LCR-Meters the DE5000 have no problems with measuring the main parameters LCR, but the secondary parameters could and will depend on the testfrequency how trustworthy they are.

[RiRaRi]

Isnt that the thing for all LCR meter? That you have to select needed freq in order to accuratly test cap? Or more expensive meters like BK880 can do it on all freq?

[TimFox]

The ESR itself is a function of frequency, in general.
The DE-5000 has 100 and 120 Hz (for normal rectifiers), 1000, 10k, and 100 kHz setrtings.

[pdenisowski]

Isnt that the thing for all LCR meter? That you have to select needed freq in order to accuratly test cap? Or more expensive meters like BK880 can do it on all freq?

Once you move to benchtop LCR meters you can usually specify a precise frequency (rather than select from a set of discrete frequencies) and/or sweep across a range of frequencies.  This is also true for more advanced impedance analyzers as well.

Always best to test your components at the frequency (or range of frequencies) of intended operation.

[mawyatt]

The specification capacitor measurement frequency is usually associated with the intended usage. For example, electrolytic types are usually specified at 100 or 120Hz as this is the dominant frequency of the charge current is a typical "linear" type mains power supply, whereas a film type might be specified at 1KHz, caps intended for SMPS use are often specified at higher frequencies (10KHz, 100KHz). Some caps intended for RF use are specified at 1MHz or higher.

Anyway, for serious considerations one really needs the ability to measure over a broad frequency range and why bench type LCR meters are valuable, ones extending into the MHz range more so, and why we have the DE-5000, supplemented by the TH2830 and IM3536. Expensive yes, but necessary for our work, as capacitors are the most widely utilized and least understood passive component, and Murphy is always hiding within  

Best,

[mawyatt]

Isnt that the thing for all LCR meter? That you have to select needed freq in order to accuratly test cap? Or more expensive meters like BK880 can do it on all freq?

Once you move to benchtop LCR meters you can usually specify a precise frequency (rather than select from a set of discrete frequencies) and/or sweep across a range of frequencies.  This is also true for more advanced impedance analyzers as well.

Always best to test your components at the frequency (or range of frequencies) of intended operation.

Very good advise

Best,

[RiRaRi]

Thank you all for advices. So to sum up good option would be DER DE5000. I am mostly testing caps in solid state radios and audio equipment but i dont think i need Mhz testing options, or do i?
Thing is that i want invest in something little bit better but cant find anything in middle price point of DER and BK880. DER seems too cheap for what it can do.

[TimFox]

For serious RF work, you may need to use 1 MHz or greater, but a VNA is probably better at those frequencies.
One use case for my DE-5000 is to check that a capacitor for an audio application is polypropylene, rather than polyester (large difference in dissipation factor/Q).

[RiRaRi]

This is too expensive for me. I plan to do basic repairs of boombox and similar items so for just testing caps of they are good or bad i think some basic LCR like these mentioned will do. Or am i wrong?

[Martin72]

Thing is that i want invest in something little bit better but cant find anything in middle price point of DER and BK880.

If a benchtop meter is "allowed", the ET4410 could be a good choice.

DER seems too cheap for what it can do.

The DER DE5000 is rather surprisingly good for the money.

[TimFox]

The price of the DE-5000 is very good for a unit with its performance.
This is due to the use of a dedicated chipset, the Cyrustek ES51919, which I believe emulates the measurement of the old G-R "Digibridge".
My only regret is that it will not display magnitude and phase of impedance, which I believe is a matter of firmware.
One can build ones own test fixture, with true 4-terminal connections, by starting with a TL-21 probe and re-wiring it for different connectors.
Notes:
1.  The guts are "floating" with respect to a common terminal, brought out as guard.  Since the unit is battery-powered, placing it on a plastic box allows measurement of circuits that are grounded (watch out for charged capacitors or powered circuits).
2.  The "calibration" of this and similar units is not calibration of the ohms or farads, since that is due to an internal precision resistor, but a computational correction for the test fixture in use.  Even using the panel connectors directly, one should always calibrate the unit after power on with open and short circuits.
3.  Since I have to calibrate it anyway, I never minded having the unit not remember the previous setting.
4.  The test voltage amplitude is fixed (no user control) at roughly 600 mV rms.

[RiRaRi]

Thanks. So to sum up. Is there any difference in these more expensive and DER DEE5000 in terms of testing old electrolytic capacitors? Why would someone choose something more expensive LCR for this usage?

[tautech]

Thanks. So to sum up. Is there any difference in these more expensive and DER DEE5000 in terms of testing old electrolytic capacitors? Why would someone choose something more expensive LCR for this usage?

Convenience and indicative accuracy are the real requirement IMO which is why I suggested smart tweezers in the 1st reply that also cover you for SMD work.

[RiRaRi]

I understand. But in my opinion der de 5000 is more convenient since you can use it with multiple probes also tweezers. Also it has 100 khz option which is the best for testing the majority of elecrolytic caps. Would you agree and does this tweezers has something that i am not aware of?

[pdenisowski]

Thanks. So to sum up. Is there any difference in these more expensive and DER DEE5000 in terms of testing old electrolytic capacitors? Why would someone choose something more expensive LCR for this usage?

Honestly, for "hobbyist" purposes the DE-5000 should work just fine. 

I have access to my company's high-end LCR meter (the LCX), but when I just need to test a cap, I usually pull out my DE-5000.  I also have a Tenma handheld that is quite sufficient for "hobbyist" use as well, but I prefer the DE-5000.