The Extech LCR200 is useful for manufacturing facilities performing QC and testing, as well as for individual users that need to validate and sort a range of components in custom projects. Unlike the capacitance and resistance capabilities of a digital multimeter, this affordable-yet-advanced meter provides enhanced accuracy and the advantage of inductance. For your circuit testing, the LCR meter enables you to test a range of important secondary parameters such as the Quality, Dissipation, θ (Phase), and Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) of your components with both series and parallel modes.
Key Functionality
Discover tremendous value with a range of features that help this meter provide the precise measurements you need. See simultaneous 20,000/2,000 count display of the primary parameter on the high contrast backlit display coupled with a segmented bargraph display. You can set Hi/Lo limits using absolute values or percentage limits and test with 5 preset frequencies. Open and Short Zero removes unwanted stray impedances from the measurement. Use the built-in test fixture or external test leads (included). You can expand the functionality of your LCR200 with several optional accessories (not included): SMD Component Tweezers (LCR203) and a plug-in SMD Chip Component Fixture (LCR205). A soft pouch storage case (CA900) is also available. The LCR200 has an Auto Power Off function that can also be disabled and a low battery indicator to alert you when to replace the batteries.
Meter Description
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- Display
- Power Adapter Socket
- Frequency Button
- ▲ Button, RS232 Button
- CAL Button
- Backlight Button
- ◄, D/Q/θ Button
- REL/%/ ▼ Button
- Input terminals (Pin terminals)
- Input terminals (Banana terminals)
- Hold Button
- Data Output Port
- L/C/R Button
- Enter Button
- ►, SER/PAR Button
- Sort Button
- Setup Button
- Power Button
- Stand (rear)
- Battery Compartment (rear)
Operation
Setup
- Press the Power button to turn the meter on.
- The meter will turn on in the default mode: AUTO LCR and 1kHz
- APO will be active with auto shutoff every 5 minutes unless an AC adaptor is used.
LCR primary parameter selection
- The meter will turn on with auto parameter selection enabled and with the ”APO” (auto power off), “Auto” (autoranging) and “LCR” (auto-parameter) icons appearing at the top of the display.
- To manually select the parameter, press the L/C/R button to step through and select the parameter needed. Each button press will sequentially display:
Auto-LCR Auto Range Auto Parameter
Auto-L Auto Range Inductance
Auto-C Auto Range Capacitance
Auto-R Auto Range Resistance
DCR DC Resistance
- The value of the primary parameter will be displayed in the upper display and the secondary parameter in the lower display.
D/Q/θ secondary parameter selection
- The meter will turn on with auto parameter selection “LCR” enabled. .The primary and secondary parameter will be automatically selected based on the value of the measured impedance.
- To manually select the secondary display, first select the primary display.
- Press the D/Q/θ button to select the secondary parameter:
L D, Q, ESR(RP) or θ
C D, Q, ESR(RP) or θ
R none
DCR none
- The value of the secondary parameter will be displayed in the lower display
Series or Parallel
- When the L/C/R function mode is selected and ‘AUTO” is enabled, the default measurement in serial or parallel mode is auto selected. A parallel equivalent circuit (Lp, Cp or Rp) will be selected if the impedance is greater than 10kΩ. A series equivalent circuit ( Ls, Cs or Rs) will be selected if the impedance is less than 10kΩ.
- Press the SER/PAR button as needed to change the default selection.
Frequency
Press the FREQ button to change the test frequency. The selections are: 100Hz, 120Hz, 1kHz, 10kHz and 100kHz.
Data Hold
Press the HOLD button to freeze the reading in the display. Push the HOLD key again to cancel the hold mode and return to normal operation.
Relative / % Function
The REL/% mode allows for % deviation measurements from a stored reference value.
- Setup the meter with the parameters required for the test to be performed.
- Insert the reference component into the test fixture and wait for a stable reading.
- Press the REL/% button to store the value. The Δ icon will appear in the display.
- For all subsequent measurements, readings on the lower display will indicate the % difference between the currently measured component and the stored value.
- Press and hold the REL/% button for >2 seconds to exit the mode.
Sorting
The sorting mode is used to select components within a % limit of a reference value.
- Insert the reference component and set the test parameters. “LCR” auto-parameter is not allowed in the sorting mode.
- With the desired reading in the display, press the SORT button to establish the reference value. The main display will indicate “PASS” and the lower display will indicate the value of the component. The default sorting % is +/- 1%.
Note: If the reference value is above 2000 counts or below 200 counts, sort will not work.
- Press the SETUP button in sequence to change the Range, Reference Value, and the % Tolerance
- Range: With the “RANGE” icon flashing, press the ◄ or ► button to change the range. Press the ENTER button to store the setting and proceed to the Value setting.
- Value Setting: Press the ◄ or ► button to select the flashing digit for adjustment. Press the ▲ or ▼ button to adjust the value of the digit. Press the ENTER button to store the setting and proceed to the Tolerance setting.
- Tolerance setting: Press the ◄ or ► button to step through the available tolerance selections:
± 0.25%
± 0.5%
± 1%
± 2%
± 5%
± 10%
± 20%
+80% -20%
Press the ENTER button to store the Tolerance setting.
- Press the SORT button for > 2 seconds to exit the Sorting mode.
Open/Short Calibration
In order to improve the accuracy for high/low impedance measurements , it is recommended to do OPEN/SHORT calibration mode before the measurement. This removes stray impedances in test leads or fixtures.
- Press the CAL button for greater than 2 seconds to start the open/short calibration procedure:
- The “CAL” icon and “OPEN” appear in the display
- With no component connected, press the CAL button. The display will count down from 30 and either “PASS” or “FAIL” will appear in the display.
- Press the CAL button and “Srt” will appear.
- Short the input and press the CAL button. The display will count down from 30 and either “PASS” or “FAIL” will appear in the display.
- Press the CAL button to exit the cal mode.
- If PASS appeared for both the OPEN and SHORT modes, the calibration data will be saved to external EEPROM.
- If FAIL appeared for either calibration, the impedance was too large to zero out and the data is not stored.
Backlight
Press the backlight button to turn the backlight on. Press again to turn it off.
Guard Terminal
The guard is used to improve noise immunity and reduce stray impedances. The optional test fixtures utilize the guard feature.
Auto Power Off
In order to extend battery life, APO will turn the meter off after 5 minutes of inactivity (no button is pressed). The meter will alarm (beep) three times before the power is shut off. Press any button to reset the APO and continue using the meter.
RS232 output
Press the ▲ button to enable the RS232 port. “RS232” will appear in the display. When enabled, the displayed data can be sent to a pc..
AC Adaptor
The meter can be powered from an AC adaptor (9VDC, 1A). When an AC adaptor is used, APO is disabled.