LCR meter that can test high power MOSFETs.

[SpottedDick]

Hi All!

So I've been using my trusted T7 for about ten years now and it has been fantastic.

(Ignore the 18650 battery mod on the side, the original battery died years ago and this works better anyway!)

However, it let me down when I wanted to test some high power MOSFETs. Is there something similar and affordable with functions like the T7 that's capable of measuring high power MOSFETs? Like the IRFP260N?

Thanks,
SD

[madires]

Your T7 is a modified clone of the OSHW Transistortester project and its limit is 5V and 7mA, Any semiconductor requiring a higher voltage or more current can't be detected. Peak has a tester with a slightly higher test voltage/current but it's several times more expensive.

[alm]

Sounds to me like you're not looking for an LCR meter which measures inductance, capacitance and resistance (impedance), but rather a semiconductor tester or curve tracer. I believe there are some DIY or hobbyist-level designs that you may able to build for a few hundred dollars, but otherwise expect to pay more.

You may be able to do something with a programmable power supply with computer connection and software (see for example here), but it definitely won't be portable or very convenient. There is also a topic about an open source source measure unit (SMU), but I don't know how finished that is.

[SpottedDick]

Appreciate both your replies. Yes, scope and manual power supply is how I test high power stuff at the minute. Looks like I'll stick to that for now, since the T7 does 99% of my job for me

[pdenisowski]

Appreciate both your replies. Yes, scope and manual power supply is how I test high power stuff at the minute.

I would also recommend a scope and power supply for testing power electronics. 

We make a very nice LCR meter, but as the other posters have said, it's not the right tool for this application.

Incidentally, if you're designing power supplies, one of my colleagues wrote a very detailed, in-depth app note on AC-DC converter testing (using a scope )

https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/applications/ac-dc-converter-testing-fundamentals-application-note_56280-1297283.html