LCR meters from Rohde & Schwarz extends to specialised measurements
A family of LCR meters released by Rohde & Schwarz extend the frequency range of impedance measurements “dramatically” to cover AC components operating from 4.0Hz to 10MHz. The R&S LCX family of LCR meters serves all established impedance measurements plus specialised measurements for selected component types, confirmed the company. It added that the series also provides both the high accuracy required in R&D and the high speed needed in production test and quality assurance.
The LCR meter family of general purpose impedance testers are suitable for the vast majority of devices operating at conventional 50 or 60Hz domestic power frequencies or 400Hz for aircraft, but also for everything from low frequency seismic sensors to high power communication circuits operating at several MHz.
There are two models available. The R&S LCX100 covers a frequency range from 4.0Hz to 300kHz and the R&S LCX200 has a basic frequency range from 4.0Hz to 500kHz with options to cover all frequencies up to 10MHz. Both models feature a large capacitive touchscreen and virtual keyboard to support tap-and-test for all main measurements. Alternatively, voltage, current, and frequency values can be set using the rotary knob. Less frequently used functions are menu-operated. Settings, results, and statistics can be displayed on the screen or output for automated post-processing. Up to four measurements can be selected and plotted versus time, with minimum and maximum values included in the display for at-a-glance pass/fail analysis.
They will be of interest to engineers selecting suitable capacitors, inductances, resistors and analogue filters to match the device application, as well as for those looking for higher speed measurements at production-use accuracy for quality control and monitoring. The software and hardware required for production environments includes remote control and result logging, as well as rack mounting for the instrument, and a range of test fixtures for handling components.
The auto-balancing bridge technology supports conventional impedance measurements by measuring the AC voltage and current for the device under test, including the phase shift. This is then used to calculate complex impedance at any given operational point. As a general purpose LCR meter, the R&S LCX covers the measurement of equivalent series resistance (ESR) and equivalent series inductance (ESL) of electrolytic capacitors and DC-link capacitors. Users can test transformers and measure DC resistance in addition to the full range of impedance measurements. To investigate components with impedance values varying at different frequencies and levels, option R&S LCX-K106 supports dynamic impedance measurements with the frequency, voltage or current as the swept parameter.
For investigating impedance in a wider range of materials, the MFIA impedance analyser from Zurich Instruments AG, a subsidiary of Rohde & Schwarz, complements the R&S LCX. Researchers can characterise semiconductors or undertake material research into materials including dielectrics, piezoelectrics, ceramics and composites, as well as tissue impedance analysis, cell growth, food research, microfluidics, and wearable sensors.
The R&S LCX family of LCR meters is part of the R&S Essentials portfolio and is available now from Rohde & Schwarz and selected distribution partners.
