The B&K Precision Models 885 & 886 Synthesized In-Circuit
LCR/ESR Meter is a high accuracy hand held portable test
instrument used for measuring inductors, capacitors and resistors
with a basic accuracy of 0.2%. It i s the most advanced handheld
AC/DC impedance measurement instrument to date. The 885 or 886
can help engineers and student s to understand the character istic of
electronics components as well as being an essential tool on any
service bench.
The instrument is auto or manual ranging. Test frequencies of
100Hz, 120Hz, 1KHz 10KHz or 100KHz (886) may be selecte d on
all applicable ranges. The test voltages of 50mVrms, 0.25Vrms,
1Vrms or 1VDC (DCR only) may al s o be selected on all applicable
ranges. The dual display feature permits simultaneous
measurements.
Components can be measured in the series or parallel mode as
desired; the more standard method is automatically selected first but
can be overridden.
The Model 885 and 886 offers three useful modes for sorting
components.
The highly versatile Mode ls can perf orm virtua lly all the functions
of most bench type LCR bri dges. With a basic accuracy of 0.2%,
this economical LCR meter may be adequately substituted for a
more expensive LCR bridge in many situations. The meter is
powered from two AA Batteries and is supplie d with an AC to DC
charging adapter and two AA Ni -Mh Rechargeabl e Batteries.
The instrument has applications in electronic engineering labs,
production facili ties, service shops, and schools. It can be used to
check ESR v alues of capacitors , sort values, selec t precision values,
measure unmarked and unknown i nductors, capacit ors or resistor s,
and to measure capacitance, inductance, or resistance of cables,
switches, circuit boar d foils, etc.
The key features are as following:
Te st condition:
Frequency : 100Hz / 120Hz / 1KHz / 10KHz /
1
100KHz (886)
Level : 1Vrms / 0.25Vrms / 50mVrms /
2.
1VDC (DCR only)
Measurement Parameters : Z, Ls, Lp , C s, C p , D C R ,
ESR, D, Q and
Basic Accu racy: 0.2%
Dual Liquid Crystal Display
Fast/Slow Measurement
Auto Range or Range Hold
Open/Short Calibrati on
Primary Parameters Display:
Z : AC Impedance
DCR : DC Resistance
Ls : Serial Inductance
Lp : Parallel Inductance
: Phase Angle
ESR : Equivalence Serial Resistance
D : Dissipati on Fact or
Q : Quality Factor
Combinations of Display:
θ
Serial Mode : Z –
Parallel M od e : Cp – D, Cp – Q, Lp – D, Lp – Q
1.2 Impedanc e Parameters
Due to the different test ing signal s on t he impedance mea surement
instrument, there are DC impedance and AC impedance. The
common digital multi -meter can only measure the DC impedance,
but the Model 885 can do both. It is a very important issue to
understand the impedance parameters of the electronic com ponent.
When we analysis the impedance by the impedance measurement
plane (Figure 1.1). It can be visualized by the rea l element on the
X-axis and the imaginary element on the y-axis. Thi s impedance
measuremen t plan e can also be seen as th e pola r coordin at es. Th e Z
is the magnitude and the
There are two different types of reactance: Inductive (X
Capacitive (X
). It can be defined as f ollows:
C
) and
L
L = Inductance (H)
C = Capacitance (F)
f = Frequency (Hz)
Also, there are quality factor (Q) and the dissi pation factor (D) that
need to be discussed. For component, the quality fa ctor serve s as a
measure of the reacta nce purity. In the re al world, t here is always
some associated resistance that dissipates power, decreasing the
pp
p
p
p
p
sss
s
s
s
RC
L
R
X
R
G
B
RCR
L
R
X
D
Q
ω
ω
ω
ω
δ
===
=
===
==
1
tan
11
amount of energy that can be rec overed. The quality fac tor can be
defined as the ratio of the stored energy (reactance) and the
dissipated energy (resistance). Q is generally used for inductors and
D for capacito rs .
There ar e two types of the cir cuit mode. One is series mode, the
other is parallel mode. See Fi gure 1.2 t o find out t he rela tion of t he
series and parallel mode.
-20
Relative Humidity : Up to 85%
Battery Type : 2 AA size Ni-Mh or Alkaline
Battery Charge : Constant c urr ent 150mA
Battery Operatin g Time : 2.5 Hours typical
AC Operation : 110/220V A C, 60/50Hz with proper
Low Power Warning : under 2.2V
Dimensions : 174mm x 86mm x 48mm (L x W x H)
Weight : 470g
Considerations
Tes t Frequency. The test frequency is user selectable and can be
changed. G ene rally, a 1 KHz test signal or higher is used to measure
capacitors that are 0.01uF or smaller and a 120Hz test signal is used
for capacitors that are 10uF or larger. T ypically a 1 kHz test signal or
higher is used to measure induc tors that are used in audio and RF
(radio frequency) circuits. This is because these components operate
at higher frequencies and require that they be measure d at a hi gher
frequency of 1 KHz. Generally, inductors below 2mH should be
measured at 1 kHz and inductors above 200H should be measured at
120Hz.
It is best to check with the componen t manufacturers’ data sheet to
determine the best test fre quency for the device.
Charged Capacitors
Always discharge any capacitor prior to making a
measurement since a charged ca pacitor may serious ly damage
the meter.
Effect Of High D on Accuracy
A low D (Dissipation Factor) reading is desirable. Electrolytic
capacitor s i nherently have a higher dissipation factor due to their
normally high internal leakage characteristics. If the D (Dissipation
Factor) is ex c es sive, the capacitance measurement accuracy may be
degraded.
It is best to check with the componen t manufacturers’ data sheet to
determine the desirabl e D val ue of a good component.
Measuring Capacitance of Cables, Switches or Other Parts
Measuring the capacitance of coaxial cables is very useful in
determining the actual length of the cable. Most manufacturer
specifications list the amount of capacitance per foot of cable and
therefore the length of the cable can be determined by measuring the
capacitance of that cable.
For examp le: A manufa cturers , specificat ion calls out a certa in cable,
to have a capa citance of 10 pF per foot, After measuring the cable a
capacitance reading of 1.000 nF is displayed. Dividing 1000pF
(1.000 nF) by 10 pF per foot yields the length of the cable to be
approximately 100 feet.
Even if the manufacturers’ specification is not known, the
capacitance of a measured length of cable (such as 10 feet) can be
used to determine the capacitance per foot; do not use too short a
length such as one foot, because any error becomes magnified in the
total leng th calculations.
Sometimes , the cap aci tan ce of switches, inter co n n ect cables, circuit
board foils, or other parts, affecting stray capacitance can be critical
to circuit design, or must be repeatable from one unit to another.
Series Vs P a ra llel Measu rem en t (for Inductors)
The seri es mode dis plays the more accurate me asurement in most
cases. The series equivalent mode is essential for obtaining an
accurate Q reading of l ow Q inductors. Where ohmic losses are
most significant, the series equivalent mode is preferred. However,
there are cases where the parallel equivalent mode may be more
appropriate. For iron core induct or s operating at higher fre quenci es
where hysteresis and eddy currents become significant,
measurement in the parallel equivalent mode is preferred.
2.2.1 Battery Replacement
When the LOW BATTERY INDICATOR lights up duri ng normal
operation, the batteries in the Models 885 & 886 should be replaced
or recharged to maintain proper operation. Please perform the
following steps to change the batteries:
1. Remove the battery hatch by unscrewing the screw of the
battery compartment.
2. Take out the old batteries and insert the new batteries int o the
battery compartment. Please watch out for battery polarity
when installing new batteries.
3. Replace the battery hatch by rever sing the procedure used t o
Only the Models 885 or 886 st andar d acces sory AC t o DC
adapter can be used with Model 885. Other battery elimina tor
or charger may result in damage to Modes 885 or 886.
The Models 885 & 886 works on external AC power or internal
batteries. To power the Mode l 885 wi th A C source, make s ure t hat
the Models 885 or 886 is off, then plug one end of the AC to DC
adapter into the DC jack on the right si de of the instr ument and the
other end into an AC outlet.
There is a small slide switch inside the battery compartment
called Battery Select Switch. If the Ni-Mh or Ni-Cd rechargeable
batteries are installed in Models 885 or 886, set the Batter y Select
Switch to "Ni -Mh" posi tion. The Ni-Mh or Ni-Cd batteries ca n be
recharged when the instrument i s oper at ed by AC source. The LED
for indicating battery charging will light on. If the non-rechargeable
batteries (such as alkaline bat teries) are i nstalled in Models 885 or
886, set the Battery Select Switch to "NORM" position for
disconnecting the charging circuit to the batteries.
Warning
The Battery Select Switch must be set in the "NORM"
position when using nonNon-rechargeable batt erie s may e xplode if the AC a dapter is
used with non-rechargea ble batteries. Warranty is voided if
this happened.
2.2.3 Open and Short Calibrati on
The Models 885 & 886 provides open/short calibration
capability so the user can get better accuracy in measuring high and
low impedance. We recommend that the user performs open/shor t
calibratio n if the test level or frequency has been changed.
Open Calibration
First, remain ing the m easurem ent terminals with the open status,
then press the CAL key shor tly ( no more than t wo sec ond), t he
LCD will display:
This calibration ta kes about 10 se con ds. After it is finished, the
Model 885 will beep to show that the calibration is done.
Short Calibration
To pe rform the short calibration, insert the Shorting Bar into the
measurement terminals. Press the CAL key for more than two
second, the LCD will display:
This calibration ta kes about 10 se con ds . After it i s fi nishe d, t he
Model 885 will beep to show that the calibration is done.
The Models 885 & 886 provides two different display speeds
(Fast/Slow). It is controlled by the Speed key. When the speed is set
to fast, the display will update 4.5 readings every second. When the
speed is set to slow, it’s only 2.5 readings per second.
2.2.5 Relative Mod e
The relative mode lets t he user to make quick sort of a bunch of
components. First, insert the standard value compone nt to get the
standard value reading. (A pproximate ly 5 seconds in Fast Mode to
get a stable reading.) Then, press the Relative key, the primary
display will reset to zero. Remove the standard value component
and insert the unknown component, the LCD will show the value
that is the difference between the standard value and unknown
value.
2.2.6 Range Hold
To set the range hold, insert a standard component in that
measurement range. (A pproximately 5 seconds in Fast Mode to get
a stable reading.) Then, by pressing the Range Hold key it will hold
the range within 0.5 to 2 times of the curr ent measurement range.
When the Range Hold is pr ess the LCD display:
The DC resistance measurement measures the resistance of an
unknown component by 1VDC. Select the L/C/Z/DCR key to make
the DCR measurement. The LCD display:
2.2.8
AC Impedan ce Mea s u r em ent
The AC impedance measurement measures the Z of an unknow n
device. Sele ct th e L/C/Z/DCR key to m ake th e Z m e asur emen t. T h e
LCD display:
The testing level and fre quency can by selected by pressing the
Level key and Frequency key, respectively.
2.2.9 Capacitance Measurement
To measure the capacitance o f a com ponent, select the L/C/Z/DCR
key to Cs or Cp mode. Due to the circuit structure, t here are two
modes can by selected (Serial Mode – Cs and Parall el Mode – Cp).
If the serial mode (Cs) is selected, the D, Q and ESR can be shown
on the secondary display. If the parallel mode (Cp) is selected, only
the D and Q can be shown on the secondary display. The following
The testing level and fre quency can by selected by pressing the
Level key and Frequency key, respectively.
2.2.10 Inductance Measurement
Select the L/C/Z/DCR key to Ls or Lp mode for measuring the
inductance in serial mode or parallel mode. If the serial mode (Ls) is
selected, the D, Q and ESR can be shown on the seconda ry display.
If the parallel mode (Lp) is selected, only the D and Q can be shown
on the secondary display. The following shows some examples of
capacitance measurement:
The testing level and fre quency can by selected by pressing the
) to connect to the device under test (DUT). It i s important to
L
POT
CUR
, H
POT
, L
CUR
and
understand what connection method will affect the measurement
accuracy.
2-T e rminal (2T)
2-T erminal is the easiest way to connect the DUT , but it contents
many errors which are the inductor and resi stor as well as the
parasitic capacitor of the test leads (Figure 3.1). Due to these
errors in measurement, the effective impedance measurement
4-T e rminal Path (4TP)
4-Ter minal Path connection solves the proble m that caused by
the test lead inductance. 4TP uses four coaxial cables to isolate
the current path and the vol tage sense cable (Figure 3.5). The
return current will flow through t he coaxial ca ble as well as the
shield. Theref ore, the magnetic flux that generated by int ernal
conductor will cancel out the magnetic flux generated by
external conductor ( shield). The 4TP connection increase s the
Eliminating the Effect of the Parasitic Capacitor
When measuring the high impedance component (i.e. low
capacitor), the par asitic capacitor becomes an important issue
(Figure 3.6). In figure 3.6(a), the parasitic capacitor Cd is
paralleled to DUT as well as the Ci and Ch. To correct this
problem, add a guard pla ne (F igure 3.6(b)) in be twee n H and L
terminals to break the Cd. If the guard plane is connected to
instrument guard, t he effect of Ci a nd Ch will be removed.
For those precision impeda nce mea suri ng instr ument, the ope n and
short compensation nee d to be used to reduce the parasit ic effect of
the test fixture. The parasitic effect of the test fixture can be treated
like the simple passive components in figure 3.7(a). When the DUT
ω
is open, the instrument gets the conductance Yp = Gp + j
Cp
(Figure 3.7(b)). When the DUT is short, the instrument gets the
ω
impedance Z s = Rs + j
Ls (Figure 3.7(c)). After the open and short
compensation, Yp and Zs are for calculating the real Zdut ( Figure
According to different measuring requirement, there are ser ie s
and parallel modes to describe the measurement result. It is
depending on the hi gh or low i mpeda nce va lue t o deci de what
mode to be used.
Capacitor
The impedance and capacitance in the capacitor are negatively
proportional. Therefore, the large capacitor means the low
impedance; the small capacitor means the high impedance.
Figure 3.8 shows the equivalent circuit of capacitor. If the
capacitor is small, the Rp is more i mportant than the Rs. If the
capacitor is large, the Rs shouldn’t be avoided. Hence, uses
parallel mode to measure low capacitor and series mode to
measure high capacitor.
The impedance and inductive in the inductor are positively
proportional. Therefore, the large inductor equals to the high
impedance and vice versa. Figure 3.9 shows the equivalent
circuit of inductor. If the inductor is small, the Rs is more
important than the Rp. I f the inductor is large, the Rp shoul d be
taking care of. So, uses series mode to measure low inductor and
parallel mode to measure hi gh inductor.
B&K Precision Corp. warrants to the original
purchaser that its products and the component parts
thereof, will be free from defects in workmanship and
materials for a period of three years
purchase.
B&K Precision Corp. will, without c harge, repair or
replace, at its option, defective product or component
parts. Returned product must be accompanied by
proof of the purchase date in the form of a sales
receipt.
lusions: This warranty does not apply in the event of misuse or
Exc
abuse of the product or as a result of unauthor ized alternations or
repairs. It is void if the serial number is alternated, defaced or
removed.
B&K Precision Corp. shall not be liable for any consequential
damages, including wit hout limitati on damages resul ting from loss
of use. Some states do not allow limitation of incidental or
consequential da mages, so the above limitation or exclusion may
not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific rights and you may have other
rights, which vary from state-to-state.