AT810A Digital Precision LCR Meter.
Anyone here that has an opinion on this LCR (I'm thinking of buying one 🙂).
Actually an Z, D, Q, θr, θd, R, X, G, B, Y, Vac, Iac, Δ, Δ% meter.
at810a lcr | eBay
http://www.applent.com/products/detail.aspx?familyid=lcr&model=AT810A
Anyone here that has an opinion on this LCR (I'm thinking of buying one 🙂).
Actually an Z, D, Q, θr, θd, R, X, G, B, Y, Vac, Iac, Δ, Δ% meter.
at810a lcr | eBay
http://www.applent.com/products/detail.aspx?familyid=lcr&model=AT810A
Applent makes some decent stuff, typically not killer but solid. I've noticed Tonghui has a similarly featured device with almost identical specs. Either could be the OEM or it might be they both OEM'd the design from a third party. It happens a lot (such as IET labs OEMing the DE-5000 from DerEE). That being said, the single accuracy listing is BS and that worries me a tad. In such an expensive instrument you should have detailed broken down accuracy ranges for MOST if not all of the listed values.
For example: here is the datasheet from an Agilent LCR that lists a similar 0.05% basic accuracy:
http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5989-4435EN.pdf
Clearly quoting 0.05% accuracy is disingenuous without more information. This applies to a VERY limited combination of values and frequencies. See the diagram on page 16 of that. As you can see, the farther you get away from that region: accuracy plummets. Without all of this information, you are pretty much flying blind.
Typical Chinese cloned products, the specs are poorly documented. It doesn't have built-in provisions for DC bias, a handy feature when measuring semiconductor capacitance.
I prefer using used GenRad/Quadtech or ESI digital bridges. IET is actively buying used GenRad 1689 on eBay, go figure.
I prefer using used GenRad/Quadtech or ESI digital bridges. IET is actively buying used GenRad 1689 on eBay, go figure.
This all being true, that is not what I was asking. Yes a LCR less than 1K $ will not have all the performance points that are desirable, but you have to consider I'm a hobbyist and thus I am working on a tight budget.
A few meters that are at the bottom end (actually I considered these to be top end before I started researchging this) are:
IET Labs DE 5000 Handheld LCR Meter- DE-5000 Handheld LCR Meter
BK Precision 879B Model 879B, 40,000 Count Dual Display Handheld LCR Meters - B&K Precision
The problems are, the DE 5000 stops at 20 Ohm 20 uH and 200 pF I do consider that pretty useless. The KB 879B gives not the precision that I would like to have.
I will stretch my budget and get a AT810A if I can find some people that will share a positive experience with this meter. That is what my question is about.
In other words, go for known and get the BK 879B or try my luck and get the AT810A.
A few meters that are at the bottom end (actually I considered these to be top end before I started researchging this) are:
IET Labs DE 5000 Handheld LCR Meter- DE-5000 Handheld LCR Meter
BK Precision 879B Model 879B, 40,000 Count Dual Display Handheld LCR Meters - B&K Precision
The problems are, the DE 5000 stops at 20 Ohm 20 uH and 200 pF I do consider that pretty useless. The KB 879B gives not the precision that I would like to have.
I will stretch my budget and get a AT810A if I can find some people that will share a positive experience with this meter. That is what my question is about.
In other words, go for known and get the BK 879B or try my luck and get the AT810A.
Actually you asked does anyone have an opinion, not does anyone have experience with either of these. So I gave you my opinion.
As a fellow hobbyist I find a hard time coming up with situations where the extra features of the Applent are useful. Unless you are designing high frequency networks (RF work, high frequency SMPS, etc.) and need to know the details at very precise frequencies. Most of the time I just need a general idea how its going to behave in a specific range and the ability to match parts close to each other. because of this I'd go with the Der EE DE-5000 (Der EE makes these for IET Labs).
As for what you say, the DE5000 doesn't have a bottom at 20ohm, that's the top of the bottom range. It's a very badly worded phrase which comes from the DerEE datasheet. So the real ranges are technically as follows:
Resistance: 1 milliohm-200 megaohm
Inductance: 1nanohenry-2 kilohenry
Capacitance: 10femtofarad-20millifarad
You can easily pick up the DerEE DE-5000 shipped with all of the accessories (except USB connectivity and the carrying case) from Japan for <$140 on ebay. On EEVBlog its considered basically one of the best deals out there on a TRUE LCR meter.
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That's where our language backgrounds differ, in Dutch the phrase would have implied that to get the opinion you must have experienced(held/owned/used) it 🙂
It is intended for DIY audio stuff, selecting/matching capacitors, resistors and inductances. Resistors of interest are down to 200 mOhm and 1% of this would be a good resolution. Capacitors down to 10 pF also to be measured with a precision of 1%. Inductances down to 1 uH are to be measured.
That's an advice I will consider 🙂
That is what I completely missed, thanks for pointing that out.
Yes I have seen these offerings. de-5000 lcr | eBay
Based on what you describe the Der EE DE-5000 should fit the bill perfectly. It is capable of everything you mention and then some. It has an extra frequency range over the BK plus it has automated binning features allowing you to quickly match relative tolerances in bins down to +/- 0.25%.
Depending on what you will test (leaded or not) select the needed accessories level and you will be set! Price ranges from $80-130. To measure leaded components you don't need ANY accessories, though the TL21 alligator accessory can be convenient for components with super thick leads. For SMD components, you need TL22 tweezers. The TL23 is basically just a banana to aligator clip adapter, not worth it.
Depending on what you will test (leaded or not) select the needed accessories level and you will be set! Price ranges from $80-130. To measure leaded components you don't need ANY accessories, though the TL21 alligator accessory can be convenient for components with super thick leads. For SMD components, you need TL22 tweezers. The TL23 is basically just a banana to aligator clip adapter, not worth it.
I did not get the 'IET Labs DE 5000' or the 'BK Precision 879B', next I considered the 'Agilent U1733C' and did not buy it.
The main point is the upper limit on capacitors (max 20mF) and I do like to have a bit more precision (the capacitors are the most expensive parts of an amplifier and the deserve a good quality report, as there sizes are 33mF and up it is not possible to use the handheld devices). One other usage that I need the LCR for is making quality reports for components being used in (big) amplifiers, it seems that the AT810A is better equipped to do this. The higher precision of the AT810A will look good in these reports (the reports included with the products are of commercial use).
After exchanging a lot of emails with Applent about there AT810A I have been convinced that there quality is as promised and the precision as advertised. I did get a very good deal for the price of the unit.
I'm convinced (at the moment 🙂) (lets see when the AT810A arrives) this LCR will be a good investment for years to come. I will report my experience when the LCR arrives.
The main point is the upper limit on capacitors (max 20mF) and I do like to have a bit more precision (the capacitors are the most expensive parts of an amplifier and the deserve a good quality report, as there sizes are 33mF and up it is not possible to use the handheld devices). One other usage that I need the LCR for is making quality reports for components being used in (big) amplifiers, it seems that the AT810A is better equipped to do this. The higher precision of the AT810A will look good in these reports (the reports included with the products are of commercial use).
After exchanging a lot of emails with Applent about there AT810A I have been convinced that there quality is as promised and the precision as advertised. I did get a very good deal for the price of the unit.
I'm convinced (at the moment 🙂) (lets see when the AT810A arrives) this LCR will be a good investment for years to come. I will report my experience when the LCR arrives.
Yeah the 20mF limit is due to them all using the same chipset (Cyrustek ES51919/ES51920). In general Applent has a decent reputation in the T&M community. They seem to do what they say, I haven't heard any horror stories from them. So in the end I think you found exactly what will work for you. Keep us posted on how it works out.
Another alterternative for lcr?
Hi Frans,
Would you dare to to consider a diy meter from elector?
Specs seem in the range you want, ad on first review and price about half of the at810a.
Beknopte technische specificaties*: L-bereik: 0,1 nH - 100 H, C-bereik: 0,1 pF - 100 mF, R-bereik: 0,1 mOhm - 1 Gohm, Q- of D-bereik: 0 – 10.000, fasebereik: -90 tot +90 graden, Rs/Xs-bereik: 0,1 mOhm - 1 Gohm
Elektor Precisie-LCR-meter Elektor
Hi Frans,
Would you dare to to consider a diy meter from elector?
Specs seem in the range you want, ad on first review and price about half of the at810a.
Beknopte technische specificaties*: L-bereik: 0,1 nH - 100 H, C-bereik: 0,1 pF - 100 mF, R-bereik: 0,1 mOhm - 1 Gohm, Q- of D-bereik: 0 – 10.000, fasebereik: -90 tot +90 graden, Rs/Xs-bereik: 0,1 mOhm - 1 Gohm
Elektor Precisie-LCR-meter Elektor
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